Evaluating a Centre? Essential factors to consider..
It’s a big call - to whom will you entrust your child?
You want to feel safe and know the centre is a great fit for your family. But how do you evaluate each centre? We’ve put together some key things for you to consider:
What is your first impression?
How do you feel when you first come into the centre? Are you greeted warmly? Are the children happy, engaged, laughing? Are they settled and playing well?
What caregiver ratios does the centre maintain?
The Government minimums are 1 teacher to 5 babies and 1 to 10 for children aged 2 and over. A good centre will exceed these minimums.
How do the teachers interact with the children?
What do you see? Are the teachers fully involved with the children, caring, and offering stimulating activities? Teachers should be focused on the children in their care—not chatting or doing paperwork.
How stable is the team?
Childcare is about teamwork. Ask how long the team has been in place and about staff turnover. High turnover can indicate problems, and consistency is important for children to form strong bonds with their teachers.
How many teachers are fully qualified?
The Government minimum is that 50% of teachers should be qualified with a degree or postgraduate diploma. A higher percentage ensures better quality teaching.
What do other parents say?
Check the Google reviews or ask for references. You can also ask to speak with a current parent for their personal experience.
What philosophy does the centre follow?
Every centre should be able to articulate its philosophy, whether it’s Te Whāriki, Montessori, or another approach.
Is the centre established and respected?
How long has the centre been serving the community? A long-standing track record can indicate reliability.
What extension activities are offered?
Ask about outside trips, special programs like Playball, or other enrichment activities.
Are they inclusive of different cultures?
Do they offer cultural events and activities for families from diverse backgrounds?
Finally, ask the questions that are important to you.
A good centre will take the time to ensure all your concerns are answered.
Don’t judge a book by its cover!We hope this article helps you. Choosing the right centre is a huge decision for your family, and every centre is different.
Growing Minds - A Loving Early Learning Environment
At Growing Minds, our philosophy is in line with Te Whāriki:
Well-being – Mana Atua: The health and well-being of the child are protected and nurtured.
Check out our Facebook page to see what we’ve been up to lately.
Here are answers to some of the questions we’ve covered:
Ratios: We maintain a 1:3 ratio for babies (under 2) and 1:7 for older children.
Qualified Teachers: 90% of our teachers are fully qualified in Early Childhood Education.
Team Stability: We’re proud to say that our team has been together for years. One of our teachers has been with us for over 10 years. We also welcome student teachers and take pride in mentoring the next generation. Three of our current team members started as students and chose to begin their careers with us.
Parent Reviews: Since the Le Noel family took ownership in 2019, we’ve received only 5-star Google reviews.
Established Reputation: Growing Minds has been serving our community for 25 years.
External Activities: We enrich our children's experiences with bus trips to the library, Bunnings, the local park, and guest visits from police, firemen, and water safety experts. We also offer weekly Playball sessions (for an additional cost) and take trips to places like the zoo.
Philosophy: Our full philosophy is outlined in our Parent Booklet, available upon enquiry.
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