Give your child the opportunity to be part of a family away from home! Enrol now in our Child Care
Give your child the opportunity to be part of a family away from home! Enrol now in our Child Care
We accept children below the age of 6 years, including babies over the age of 6 weeks.
Not to worry! Children are divided into two general groups based on age. This is because their learning, supervision and care needs will be different. Our oldest group of children are 3 years and older. They spend their indoor time in the Butterflies room. Next up we have children aged 0-3 years, who spend their indoor time in the Caterpillars room. Within the group of caterpillars, any children below the age of 1 year have their own cot room as well.
Generally children aged 3 years and older will not pay with children younger than this, and we also have two separate outdoor play areas to give everyone their own space to play safely and with equipment suitable for their age.
Your children will have many benefits from the childcare environment. They will gain valuable skills that will further their growth and development. They will develop:
Social and emotional skills - such as being able to sit and listen to the teacher, sharing with other children, learning to interact with other children and adults and dealing with conflict.
Language and communication skills - by being surrounded by other children, who may be at different stages of development than them, by observing them and being exposed to them, not to mention our targeted programs encouraging language development, they will learn their numbers, letters of the alphabet, words, names, body parts and so much more.
Motor skills - our outdoor equipment safely lets them practice climbing, hopping, skipping, running and even just walking. We also do dancing and other fun activities that let the children explore just how much they can do with their bodies. We also have lots of activities in getting them to develop their fine motor skills as well - such as doing up buttons, feeding themselves with a spoon and other little tricky tasks.
Finally we have a pre-planned program for every single day your child is at the centre, prepared by qualified educators who are trained in the learning and development needs of children. We assess all children individually following enrolment and see what their needs and interests are, and try and match the two to maximise learning and growth potential. Best of all, we do it in the most fun way possible - with lots of toys, resources and friendly, patient, supportive, highly trained staff.
If your child becomes sick whilst at the centre, we will contact you to pick up your child. This is especially true if your child has symptoms of a potentially infectious illness that may affect the other children and staff, e.g. fever, rash, diarrhoea, runny nose or a cough.
If your child requires medication such as paracetamol for fever when they fall ill at the centre, you will be required to sign consent to administer this medication at the time of enrolment, and we will also contact you at the time prior to administration to confirm that it is ok to give any medication to your child.
If your child is diagnosed with an illness of exclusion (e.g. measles, chicken pox, hand foot and mouth disease or other highly infectious conditions) your child will require a clearance certificate from the doctor first before being able to return to the centre. Please refer to our policy on exclusion conditions for further information.
Please note that children are required to be up to date with their age-appropriate vaccinations as per the NSW immunisation schedule at the time of enrolment. If you are a conscientious objector to vaccination, please note that at the time when any child at the centre is diagnosed with a vaccine-preventable illness, your child will need to be excluded from the centre for their safety until the child has been medically cleared of the condition by a doctor.
To enrol your child, feel free to call the centre during business hours, or you can drop in to visit the centre between the hours of 9.30am-11.30am or between 2-6pm with your child. The centre director will meet with the family of the child and ensure we are able to meet any special needs of your child.
At that time, you will be taken on a tour of the centre and if enrolment is to proceed, you will need to determine the number of days your child will attend the centre and pay a two week bond in full BEFORE your child's first day at the centre. Please note that this bond is separate to the first two weeks fees at the centre and is COMPLETELY REFUNDED AT THE TIME OF COMPLETION.
To make the time of starting at the centre a little less daunting for your child, we like the children to come to the centre for a few hours, 1-2 times a week for the first week to allow the child to become familiar with the new environment.
It is quite normal for children (and parents!) to be a little anxious when starting school at first, but we assure you that children very quickly settle into their new surroundings!
Children are able to attend up to a maximum of five days per week.
Families are encouraged to enrol their children for a higher number of days per week as this is more likely to accelerate their learning, promote stability and a routine for the child and allow them to adjust from any potential separation anxiety quicker.
Fees are charged based on the age of the child. Parents may be eligible for a childcare benefit or rebate from the government, which is means tested. If families are eligible, then we will charge the gap. The amount in fees that you will be required to pay will vary depending on the level of benefit you are eligible for.
We do not charge any fees during the annual two week closure of the centre over the Christmas and New year period.
Following payment of a fully refundable two week bond, parents are required for fees to be deducted from a nominated account via direct debit either weekly or fortnightly.
Our staff spend the day monitoring each of the children and documenting what they are achieving each day.
Each day, each room (Butterflies and Caterpillars), send out a Day Book, outlining what the group of children did as a whole during the day. This email contains descriptions of activities completed that day, pictures of the children and the lunch menu for the day.
Once a month, a personalised observation log is emailed to parents outlining progress that your child has made in the past month.
You are welcome to call the centre to enquire as to how your child is doing, especially during the first month of their enrolment as they are settling in. Also, when you pick up your child at the end of the day, feel free to ask the staff about your child's day and they will be more than happy to address any concerns you have and fill you in on your child's day.
All meals are provided by the centre during the day and are included in the centre fees.
The centre provides an open breakfast service for 2 hours between 7.30-9.30am.
Lunch is cooked fresh daily by our onsite chef and is served at 12pm. The children eat lunch together with the other children in their room. There is a 2 week rotating menu that is balanced for their nutritional needs. This menu has been accredited by the Munch and Move program.
Afternoon tea and a late supper are also provided for children, including sandwiches and fruit.
Children aged less than 12 months are to provide their own baby milk formula. However solid meals will be provided for them.
All other children are provided full fat cows milk and water daily.
If your child has any food allergies, or other food requirements, such as vegan/vegetarian, let us know during enrolment and we can accommodate to your child's needs.
We cater for halal requirements as well!
If your child is on long-term regular prescription medication that requires administration during the day, our staff are able to administer this to your child.
All medication must be detailed at the time of enrolment. Any new medication, both permanent or temporary (e.g. antibiotics) can only be given if it is prescribed by an authorised medical doctor.
Our staff are well handled to administer puffers and epipens too.
Refer to the "what if my child gets sick?" FAQ regarding paracetamol/ibuprofen.
Safety is a big deal! Only nominated people are allowed to pick up your child from the centre. These nominated people must be identified at the time of enrolment in the enrolment form and must show photo ID the first time they come to pick up your child.
Special needs children are a wonderfully diverse group of children. We will strive to be able to accommodate your child as best as we can, if we feel it is safe to do so. At the time of enrolment, if your child has any special requirements for care, please let us know so we can determine if our centre is the best and safest fit for you and your family. Unfortunately, depending on the extent of one-on-one attention your child may require, regrettably, it may not be possible to accommodate your child.
All children over the age of 3.5 years will commence a school readiness program whilst at the centre. This program focuses on teaching children skills that will make starting primary school less daunting for them.
They will focus on learning the alphabet, numbers, how to write their name using a pencil, colours, shapes and more!
We kindly ask parents to drop their child off before 10am. The structured program starts after this time, and children who come late will miss out and are more likely to struggle with development a routine.
We have a range of qualified staff at the centre who either have a Bachelor degree, Diploma or Certificate III in Early Childhood Education.
To top this all off, our staff have well over 60 years of combined experience in the childcare and education industry!
Clothing - We ask that parents bring a spare change of clothing (labelled!) for their children every day. While we try and put aprons on where possible, please remember children will be children!
Nappies - If your child is still wearing nappies, you will need to provide nappies for your child and nappy cream. However anything else related to nappy changing will be provided by the centre.
Water bottle and hat - all children are asked to bring a water bottle and a hat labelled with your child's name for when children play outside. This will be kept at the centre.
Cot sized sheet set - Children have nap time after lunch and will require their own sheet to place over our cots. This sheet set will be labelled with your child's name, and will remain at the centre. It is washed on a regular basis by the staff.
To reduce conflict amongst children, we ask that parents leave any special toys or other personal items at home. We would hate to see them lost or damaged!
Children each have their own open locker in which they can store their school bag and clothing, however this locker is not secured and so we ask that no items of significant value be brought and stored in your child's locker.
The centre does not take any responsibility for any valuables that are damaged or lost whilst at the centre.
Yes we do! Vacation care is available for children under the age of 9 years during the school holidays. If you would like to enquire about enroling your child for vacation care in the next school holiday, please contact the centre.
If you have any other questions about our centre or the service we provide, please feel free to call the centre during business hours, or alternatively you can go to the CONTACT US page and drop us a line.
We look forward to hearing from you and looking after your children!
