Looking to enrol your child in an early learning program but don’t know where to begin? You are not alone!

We know there are many considerations for families when working out early learning and care arrangements - from location, fees, and hours, to learning programs, extra-curricular options, and much more. On top of all of that, there’s also an understandable mix of emotions, particularly if this is the first time you’re entrusting the care and education of your child to others.

But we also know it’s worth spending the time finding the right childcare centre for you and your child, because high-quality early learning and care, coupled with a nurturing home environment, makes all the difference to a child’s early development, and helps prepare them for school and beyond.

At Goodstart, we’re for providing the highest quality early learning and care in the safest possible environments, because we know what a significant impact this can have on a child’s life. Their first five years are the period of the most rapid brain development children will have in their lives. In a baby’s first year alone, more than one million connections are formed in their brains every second!

Given their rapid development, children need to be immersed in activities and stimuli that feed their hunger for knowledge. So how do you find a childcare centre with a nurturing, stimulating, safe environment, with caring, qualified early learning professionals?

Here are some simple things to look for, as you navigate finding that special early learning centre that will be able to provide the high-quality, early learning and care for your child that you really want.

Quick tips for choosing the right centre:

• Understand what is best for your child and your family: think about your family’s routine and your child’s development.
• Do your research: look for information from a variety of sources before putting together a shortlist.
• Visit a centre: the best way to learn about early learning is to visit a centre, as you’ll get a good sense of how the centre operates and you’ll have a chance to ask more questions.
• Ensure the learning program is high quality and will bring out the best in your child: research how educators integrate learning and development into their programming.
• Find out about extra inclusions: during your tour, ask what learning and extra-curricular activities are on offer as part of their programs, and what extras might be included, like meals or nappies.
• Understand the centre’s policies: all centres should have information about their operations, policies and procedures readily available. Particularly if your child needs extra support or they have medical issues like allergies, for example, you should ask to see the relevant information.

With more than 50 centres across South Australia, there’s a Goodstart near you! Visit www.goodstart.org.au to search for your local centre.