You've seen the NQS badge on the fence - but do you actually know what it means?

In this episode, Anika and Kate sit down with Elise Disher, former educator, former centre director, and now an in-demand early childhood consultant, to finally decode the National Quality Standard in plain English. Elise reveals why a "Meeting" rating isn't something to fear, what a "Working Towards" really signals, and why an "Exceeding" badge is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle.

She also shares the three quality areas every parent should focus on when touring a centre, and why your gut feeling on the day matters more than any rating on a website. Practical, refreshingly honest, and packed with insider knowledge - this episode will completely change how you read an NQS rating.

(00:00) The NQS confusion every parent has

(01:22) What the National Quality Standard actually is

(03:22) Meeting vs. Exceeding: what's the real difference?

(06:28) "Working Towards" — red flag or just ask questions?

(13:00) Who are the Authorised Officers and how do they assess?

(20:46) Can a centre fake a good rating?

(32:56) The three quality areas Elise looks at as a mum

For more information on Care for Kids , visit www.careforkids.com.au

Follow @careforkidsau

For more information on Elise Disher, visit www.elisedisher.com

Follow @elisedisher.ed

Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

One of the biggest questions facing new mums: Is my baby too young for childcare? In this episode, Anika and Kate sit down with Professor Tricia Eadie from Melbourne University - one of Australia's leading researchers in early childhood development - to finally get the evidence-based answers. Tricia unpacks why age is rarely the right question, what quality actually looks like for different stages, and why a stable, skilled workforce matters more than a fancy fitout. She shares the long-term research on children who start care early, the truth about multiple caregivers, and the single most powerful thing parents can do at home to support learning. Warm, reassuring, and packed with practical tools - this is the episode every mum questioning her childcare choices needs to hear.

(00:00) The guilt of sending your baby early

(01:00) Introducing Professor Tricia Eadie

(01:41) How young is too young — what does the evidence say?

(04:30) Multiple caregivers: overwhelming or totally normal?

(06:05) Can childcare really meet a young baby's needs?

(09:35) School readiness and the three-day guarantee

(16:34) The single most important thing parents can do at home.

For more information on Care for Kids, visit www.careforkids.com.au

Follow @careforkidsau

Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

Welcome to Between Us Mums, a bold, no-fluff podcast that gets real about the childcare stage of life - the stuff you wish someone had told you, the questions you didn’t know you could ask, and the support you didn’t know you needed. Between Us Mums offers solid advice and interesting Australian guest appearances, to get you ready for Day One of childcare. Hosted by real mums, for mums. 

Choosing a childcare provider is arguably one of the most emotional milestones in the early parenting journey. In this debut episode of Between Us Mums, hosts Anika and Kate sit down with Cassandra Stark, the "magical unicorn" of early childhood education. As the founder of The Childcare Concierge & Advisory, Cassandra brings 15 years of deep-insider experience, ranging from nanny and educator to centre director and parent.Cassandra pulls back the curtain on what parents should be looking for during a tour, moving beyond the "aesthetic" playrooms and fancy marketing. This episode covers critical safety green flags (like water bottle placement and digital privacy), the truth behind "Exceeding" NQS ratings, and why a messy room might actually be a sign of a high-quality centre. This conversation provides the tactical tools you need to trust your gut and find your village.

(00:00) Why dads skip the childcare tour

(01:17) Introducing Cassandra Stark, The Childcare Concierge

(02:22) The shiny distractions that fool parents on tours

(04:41) Why a messy room is actually a green flag

(09:01) What to look for when it comes to safety

(14:29) Cass's gold nugget questions to ask every tour

(25:49) Red flags, green flags and reading online reviews.

For more information on Care for Kids, visit www.careforkids.com.au

Follow @careforkidsau

For more information on Cassandra Stark, visit www.thechildcareconcierge.com.au

Follow @the.childcare.concierge

Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

Welcome to Between Us Mums, a bold, no-fluff podcast that gets real about the childcare stage of life - the stuff you wish someone had told you, the questions you didn’t know you could ask, and the support you didn’t know you needed. Between Us Mums offers solid advice and interesting Australian guest appearances, to get you ready for Day One of childcare. Hosted by real mums, for mums.

For more information on Care for Kids , visit www.careforkids.com.au

Follow @careforkidsau

For more information on Cassandra Stark, visit www.thechildcareconcierge.com.au

Follow @the.childcare.concierge

Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.