Finding childcare is one of those family decisions that can look straightforward on paper and feel deeply personal in practice. You are choosing the people and place that will become part of your child’s everyday world, while also trying to make the hours, location and cost work for your family.
Families in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs can choose from family day care, long day care centres and preschool programs. We’ve brought together four local services from the Eastern Suburbs Mums directory, with a few practical questions to help you make the most of a visit.
What to look for when choosing childcare
Every family’s needs are different, but these four areas can help you compare childcare options and make a confident choice.
1. Match the setting and daily rhythm to your child’s sensibilities. Family day care may suit families looking for a smaller group in a home setting, whereas a long day care centre may offer separate rooms for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, longer opening hours or a larger team.
2. Relationships and settling in. When you visit, notice how educators speak with the children and how children are supported to settle, play and move between activities. Ask about staff continuity, orientation and what the team does when a child is new or having a difficult day.
3. Safety, care and communication. Ask about supervision, first aid, safety procedures and how the service communicates with families. Find out what a typical day looks like, including meals, sleep, outdoor play, excursions and learning through play. A useful question on a tour is: “How will you help my child feel settled, and how will you let me know how their day has gone?”
4. Check availability for your child’s age, fees and inclusions, opening hours, holidays, orientation and what happens when a child is unwell. A tour and a conversation with the educators can tell you a great deal. Confirm current services, policies and availability directly with each provider.
Our recommended guide: Childcare and early learning services to explore in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
These local profiles offer a starting point for comparing different settings and approaches. Visit the directory profile or contact each service for current details.
Olga’s Family Day Care
Kensington · Family day care · Ages 2 months to 5 years
For families drawn to a smaller, home-based setting, Olga’s Family Day Care offers care for children aged two months to five years, with a maximum of four children in care each day. Olga has almost 15 years’ experience and describes a warm environment where children can learn, play and build confidence in a small group.
View Olga’s Family Day Care in the ESM directory · CareForKids profile
Miri’s Kindy
Coogee · Long day care and preschool · Ages 0 to 5
Miri’s Kindy is a family-owned service with more than 30 years’ experience in the local community. Its directory profile describes a warm, home-like environment, with 12 places for infants aged 0–2 and 36 places for children aged 2–5. The service includes a crèche and kindy, with play-based learning and a school-readiness program.
View Miri’s Kindy in the ESM directory · Visit Miri’s Kindy · Call 0411 743 783
Harbour Early Learning
Vaucluse · Early learning · Birth to 5 years
Harbour Early Learning’s directory profile describes a program for children from birth to five, developed by early childhood teachers and educators. The centre puts children’s rights at the heart of its decisions about curriculum and daily routines, and highlights its indoor and outdoor learning spaces.
View Harbour Early Learning in the ESM directory · Visit Harbour Early Learning · Call 02 9431 2273
St Brigid’s Preschool & Long Day Care
Coogee · Preschool and long day care · Ages 6 weeks to 6 years
Located in Coogee, St Brigid’s provides long day care and preschool for children from six weeks to six years. Its directory profile describes a project-based approach, with children and educators learning together. The service lists weekday hours from 7am to 6pm and says meals and everyday care items are included.
View St Brigid’s in the ESM directory · Visit St Brigid’s · Call (02) 9188 9950
Gabi’s Kindy
For Coogee families looking for a smaller, home-based option, Gabi’s Kindy is a boutique family day care in nearby Randwick.
Find the setting that feels right for your family
There is no single checklist that can tell you where your child will thrive. Take a tour, ask the questions that matter to your family and give yourself time to compare the feel of each setting as well as the practical details.
Explore more local services in the Eastern Suburbs Mums childcare directory.
Know a local childcare or early learning service we should consider for a future update? Find out about being included.
