The Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) sets national guidelines for early childhood education and care, covering everything from educator qualifications and ratios to safety, hygiene, nutrition, and more.

While you want to make sure any centre you choose adheres to these standards, there may be other important factors for your family, including cultural needs, communication styles, and how the centre supports safe sleep.

Questions about staff

How qualified and experienced are the staff?

At least 50% of educators must have (or be working towards) a Diploma-level qualification, and all others must hold or be studying a Certificate III. You might also like to ask about staff turnover, years of experience, and whether educators are trained in child safety and first aid. It is a requirement that First Aid is updated

What is the educator-to-child ratio?

Adequate staffing levels help make sure your child is safe and has the attention they need to foster growth and development.

Questions about sleep

What is the centre’s policy on safe sleep, and how often is it reviewed?

All childcare centres must have a sleep and rest policy. We recommend that you read the policy and make sure it aligns with our six safe sleep recommendations.

Have staff received Red Nose safe sleep training?

Red Nose is the national authority on infant and child safe sleeping. Ask if staff have completed our training, so you know they understand how to create the safes possible sleep environment for your child. Ask how often staff undertake refresher training.

How often will my child be checked during naptime?

Just like at home, sleeping children and their environments must be monitored. Children should always be in sight and hearing distance of a qualified staff member so they can check on their breathing and colour of their skin, and intervene if something goes wrong. Red Nose recommends that monitoring of sleeping children is done physically at the bedside, rather than through a monitor or viewing window. This allows the carer to listen to the child’s breathing and observe the colour of their skin. In young children, signs of a problem can be very subtle, so carers need to physically check the child.

Are short-term sleeping devices being used during sleep periods?

It’s dangerous to sleep infants and children in sleeping devices (like bouncers, rockers, bassinets and prams). These items are banned in Childcare Centres. Make sure the childcare centre is aware of this and doesn’t use them. Babies should sleep in a safe cot, and older children should sleep in the designated area appropriate for their age group.

Is the centre a Safe Sleep Champion, or have they done similar training with Red Nose?

We are the National Authority in safe sleeping practices for infants and children. Ask if the staff at the centre have done our training, so you can be sure they know how to follow our six safe sleep recommendations to help keep your children as safe as possible.

Are sleep routines structured or based around individual children’s needs?

Every child is different, and so are their risk factors for sudden unexplained infant death. Age, medical conditions, health history, and sleep issues can influence risk. Sleep and rest policies at childcare centres should take this into account.

Questions about the day-to-day activities:

What food is offered?

Food is an important part of children’s growth and development, and if your child is spending a lot of time in care, it’s especially important. Ask about their policy on food and nutrition, how meals are prepared, and how they manage food allergies and intolerances.

How much time will my child have to play outside?

Playing and spending time outdoors is another important part of your child’s health and development. It helps them to develop imagination, creativity, fine motor skills, and cognitive and emotional strength. Find out how the centre facilitates time outside and what the schedule is.

What happens if my child gets sick at daycare?

All children have the right to quality education in an environment that looks after their physical and emotional well-being. If your child becomes unwell, your centre will contact you immediately to collect your child. We don’t recommend that you send your child to daycare if they’re unwell. This is especially important for younger children, as being unwell can increase the risk of sudden unexpected death.

What about toileting?

All childcare centres should have policies and procedures around toileting and nappy changes that maintain hygiene. You might like to ask them about any specific family or cultural preferences you have to make sure they align with the centre’s practices.

How do they practice sun safety?

Protecting children against UV rays and sun damage is a crucial preventative measure for skin cancer later in life. Childcare centres can also help children learn good sun-safe habits. Ask about their specific policy to make sure you’re satisfied with their precautionary measures.

Questions Parents Can Ask About Supervision and Educators Being Alone with Children

How is supervision managed throughout the day — especially during nappy changes, sleep time, or one-on-one support?

This helps you understand how staff maintain safe supervision in all situations.

Are educators ever left alone with children? If so, in what situations?

It’s okay to ask how often and in what contexts an educator might be alone with a child — e.g. during toileting or settling a child to sleep.

What steps does the centre take to make sure children are safe during one-on-one care?

For example: open doors, glass panels, two educators present when possible.

What are your child protection and code of conduct policies for staff?

This helps you understand how seriously the centre takes safety, professionalism, and accountability.

How are staff trained in supervision, safe sleep, and child protection?

Knowing staff are trained in up-to-date practices (e.g. Red Nose safe sleep training) provides peace of mind.

What is your procedure if a child discloses something concerning or if a staff member has concerns about a child’s wellbeing?

Every centre is legally required to have a mandatory reporting procedure — it’s okay to ask how it’s handled.

It is in line with the centre’s policies and procedures

Services should have clear child protection and supervision policies that address when and how educators can be alone with children.

Choosing a childcare centre is a big decision, but asking these questions will help you feel confident you’re choosing a safe, responsive and high-quality environment for your child – especially when it comes to safe sleep and rest.

For more on safe sleep, visit: rednose.org.au/safesleep

Last modified: 14/7/25