Choosing a childcare centre is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. The experiences your child has between birth and five years of age lay the foundations for their future learning, social skills, and emotional wellbeing. So how do you know when you’ve found the right place?
The good news is that quality leaves clues. In this guide, we break down the top signs of a good childcare centre, so you know exactly what to look for on your next tour.
Table of Contents
- Qualified and Experienced Educators
- An EYLF-Aligned Learning Program
- Low Staff Turnover and Consistent Care
- A Safe, Clean, and Stimulating Environment
- Open and Transparent Communication with Families
- Healthy Nutrition and a No-Junk-Food Policy
- Individual Learning Programs for Each Child
- A Strong Emphasis on Play-Based Learning
- NQS Compliance and ACECQA Accreditation
- A Warm, Welcoming Atmosphere You Can Feel
1. Qualified and Experienced Educators
The single biggest predictor of quality childcare is the people caring for your child. A good childcare centre employs educators who are not only formally qualified in early childhood education but are also passionate about what they do.
Look for centres where educators hold a Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care at minimum, with a Bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teacher on site. Strong centres also invest in ongoing professional development — because great educators never stop learning.
At Daystars Early Learning, all educators are trained and experienced in early education and care. They strictly adhere to the Early Childhood Code of Ethics and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child — and they’re actively encouraged to pursue their own professional goals.
2. An EYLF-Aligned Learning Program
Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) — titled Belonging, Being and Becoming is the national standard for early childhood education. Any quality centre will base its programs on this framework, ensuring children develop across all five EYLF learning outcomes:
- A strong sense of identity
- Connection to and contribution with their world
- A strong sense of wellbeing
- Confident and involved learners
- Effective communicators
Ask centres directly: “How does your program reflect the EYLF?” A confident, detailed answer is a very good sign. Vague responses are a red flag.
Daystars implements the EYLF alongside the NSW Curriculum Framework, with age-specific programs for infants (Discoverers), toddlers (Explorers), and preschoolers (Inventors) — each designed around children’s developmental stages and individual interests.
3. Low Staff Turnover and Consistent Care
Young children thrive on consistency. When the same trusted adult is present day after day, children feel safe, secure and ready to learn. High staff turnover — a common issue in the childcare sector disrupts those vital attachment bonds.
During a tour, don’t be afraid to ask: “How long have your educators been here?” Centres with low turnover are usually ones where staff feel valued, well-supported and genuinely love their work. That positivity flows directly to the children.
4. A Safe, Clean, and Stimulating Environment
The physical environment of a childcare centre tells you a lot. A good centre should be:
- Clean and well-maintained — floors, play areas, toileting facilities and outdoor spaces
- Purpose-designed for children — furniture, equipment and materials suited to different age groups
- Stimulating and inviting — with dedicated learning zones like reading corners, sensory play areas, art spaces, and block play areas
- Safe and secure — proper fencing, gate security, sun protection, and clear child supervision at all times
Daystars centres feature large spaces divided into different learning centres — a library and reading corner, blocks area, puzzles and manipulatives corner, and sensory play spaces — all designed to inspire curiosity and exploration in young minds.
5. Open and Transparent Communication with Families
A good childcare centre sees parents as partners — not passive customers. You should receive regular, meaningful updates about your child’s day, their development milestones, and how they’re settling in. Look for:
- Daily verbal or written updates at pick-up time
- Digital apps or portfolios to track your child’s progress
- An open-door policy for parent visits
- Parent-educator meetings and involvement in program planning
At Daystars, the service can be accessed at any time for parental inspection. Parents are actively invited to contribute to the learning program and shape the centre’s policies — because educators understand that families know their children best.
6. Healthy Nutrition and a No-Junk-Food Policy
What children eat directly affects their concentration, energy, mood and immune system. A quality centre takes nutrition seriously — providing balanced, freshly prepared meals that meet national dietary guidelines, accommodating allergies and intolerances, and keeping junk food out entirely.
Daystars operates a strict no-junk-food policy. Menus are specially designed to meet the NSW Health Nutrition Checklist, follow a six-week cycle to provide variety, and are 100% nut-free. All meals, nappies, wipes, sunscreen, formula and bedding are included in the daily fee — removing stress for families entirely.
7. Individual Learning Programs for Each Child
Every child is different. A quality centre recognises this and tailors its programs to the individual, not a one-size-fits-all curriculum that treats all children the same.
Look for centres where educators:
- Observe and document each child’s interests and developmental stage
- Use those observations to plan personalised activities
- Share learning stories or portfolios with families regularly
At Daystars, educators observe children in their care and plan programs around each child’s individual needs, strengths, abilities, and interests. Educators meet in child-free time to plan so their full attention during the day is focused on the children.
8. A Strong Emphasis on Play-Based Learning
Research consistently shows that play is how young children learn best. It builds language, problem-solving, creativity, social skills, and emotional regulation — far more effectively than rigid instruction.
A good centre doesn’t just let children play; it creates intentional play experiences that guide learning without removing the joy. Be cautious of centres that seem focused purely on academic worksheets for preschoolers. This is developmentally inappropriate for early childhood.
Daystars’ programs are built entirely on play-based learning in line with the EYLF. Children learn through movement, hands-on exploration, sensory play, storytelling, art, construction, and imaginative play, all guided by skilled educators who understand child development deeply.
9. NQS Compliance and ACECQA Accreditation
In Australia, all childcare services must comply with the National Quality Framework (NQF), which includes:
- The National Quality Standard (NQS) — seven quality areas assessed by regulators
- The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
- The Education and Care Services National Regulations
All centres are rated by ACECQA the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, with ratings from Working Towards National Quality Standard through to Excellent. Ask to see the centre’s NQS rating and check it at acecqa.gov.au.
Daystars is fully regulated by ACECQA and the NSW state licensing authority, and operates in compliance with all NQF requirements. This isn’t a box-ticking exercise for them — it’s a baseline they work hard to exceed.
10. A Warm, Welcoming Atmosphere You Can Feel
Some things can’t be measured on a checklist, but they matter enormously. When you walk into a good childcare centre, you should feel the difference:
- Children who look happy, engaged, and settled
- Educators who are present, responsive, and clearly bonded with the children in their care
- A calm, positive energy rather than chaotic noise
- Staff who greet you warmly and welcome your questions
Trust your instincts. If something feels off during a tour, that feeling is worth listening to. And if everything feels right, the children are happy, the educators are warm and the environment is vibrant, you’ve likely found somewhere special.
One Daystars family put it simply: “We chose Daystars as it is a warm, caring and personal environment. The educators have lovely bonds with the children and there’s a positive, calm atmosphere.”
How Does Your Centre Stack Up?
Finding the right childcare isn’t just about proximity or price — it’s about finding a place where your child is known, loved, challenged and safe. The signs of a good childcare centre come down to people, programs, and the feeling you get when you walk through the door.
At Daystars Early Learning, we’ve built our two NSW centres — in Killara and Bardwell Valley — around every one of these principles. We’d love for you to see it for yourself.
Book a free tour today and experience the Daystars difference first-hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most important signs of a good childcare centre?
The most important signs are qualified and consistent educators, an EYLF-aligned learning program, open communication with families, a safe and stimulating environment, and a genuinely warm atmosphere where children are happy and engaged.
How do I check if a childcare centre is accredited in Australia?
You can check any centre’s NQS rating and accreditation status on the ACECQA National Register. Look for centres rated “Meeting” or “Exceeding” the National Quality Standard.
What questions should I ask when touring a childcare centre?
Ask about educator qualifications, staff turnover, how programs are planned for individual children, what the NQS rating is, how families are kept informed, and what the nutrition policy looks like. Also, observe how educators interact with children during your visit.
What is the EYLF, and why does it matter?
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) is Australia’s national framework for early childhood education. It guides how educators plan programs, support children’s development, and document learning. A childcare centre that follows the EYLF is committed to evidence-based, holistic early education — not just supervision.
At what age can my child start childcare in Australia?
In Australia, children can begin long-day care from as young as six weeks of age. Most quality centres like Daystars offer programs specifically designed for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, catering to children from six weeks up to school age.
