'Did not let me down': Mum shares her ultimate list of things to consider when picking the right daycare for your kid

The process of finding the right daycare for your kid is one of the most stressful parenting milestones.

There are so many things to consider, and that's even before you get past the inevitable waitlist and seemingly endless applications, and it's a totally new world to try and navigate when you've never had to do it before. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of mums out there who have been through it all, and some mums like myself who have also spent time working in childcare and can help. 

Watch the video above.

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Amanda Talijan knows all too well how overwhelming the process can be and shared a handy list of things to consider and explained how this will help you pick the right daycare for your child. 

Even she admitted the list "did not let [her] down."

The first thing to ask about is how long the educators have been at the daycare or preschool for. 

"I feel like if a teacher stays for a long time with a school it shows that they appreciate the school, they like the school, they're treated well by the school and that they enjoy working there," she explained.

Staff turnover was a big factor for me as well when choosing a daycare, because you want to know the staff are happy where they are and also staying long-term, which creates a really stable environment for your child too. 

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The next point on her 'Daycare must haves' list was "Allow observation days". 

Talijan explained that her child's introduction into care was a slow burn and observation days really helped the transition.

Basically, you want to know that you can test out the daycare by going in for a tour and actually getting a good look around. Is your child able to explore what could be their room and see if they vibe with any teachers or other kids? 

Another key detail she pointed out is slow transitions. Is the centre OK with you gradually easing into things from going for a half day, to full days and then adding more days. If you have the luxury to slowly enter into daycare, this is one thing to consider. 

Next is about the director, who should be available to parents and also have the right experience. 

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Talijan said she clicked with the director at her son's daycare not only because she ticked off those boxes but because she founded the school as somewhere she would want to send her own children.

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Having a director who is also available to talk to parents, or does the tours themselves, feels less like you're just getting a spot on the list and more like your individual needs will be considered and heard. 

Other things on her list included:

• Families that have used the school for multiple children
• Play based education 
• Encourage family involvement 
• All certifications are current 
• In depth germ protocol 
• Open door policy 
• Uses the app for updates 

There are a few more things I factored in and asked about when it came to enrolling my daughter in childcare that I tell other mums and dads to think about too. 

What are the age gaps in the rooms? If you're going to enrol you six month old, are they going to be in the same room as a two year old? How are the rooms split for ages? 

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What is the vibe of the centre like? If you have a toddler who can't get enough of being outside, a centre with no or limited outdoor space might not be the right fit for you. The same with a space that doesn't feel warm or inviting to you, might have a similar vibe for your child - trust your gut and how you feel. And off the back of this one, are the kids there happy? If you see nothing but happy kids who look engaged and like they're enjoying themselves on the tour, it's a good sign.

What is included in your fees? With the cost of living right now, factoring in the cost of daycare is huge for a lot of families. Do the fees include all meals? Breakfast to late snack, or just morning tea, afternoon tea and lunch? Are nappies and wipes provided or do you have to bring them along?

Referrals and reviews: One of the biggest things for me was seeing what other parents at the centre had to say about it. Head to online reviews, search local mums groups for reviews or ask other parents that you know in the centre how they enjoy it.

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