About Us

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

To assist further with your decision-making process, the follow are some frequently asked questions about Kids Cottage.

What age children does your service cater for?

Kids Cottage provides long day care services for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years old. Our Gladesville service provides for the 2-5 years age group and the Hunters Hill service provides for 0-6 years age group.

What hours do you operate?

Gladesville: Operates 7:00am – 6:00pm, Monday to Friday, 50 weeks of the year. The service is closed for approximately two weeks over the Christmas/New Year period and closed all public holidays.

Hunters Hill: Infants – operate 8:00am – 4:45pm & 2-5 years – operate 7:00am – 6:00pm Monday to Friday, 50 weeks of the year. The service is closed for approximately two weeks over the Christmas/New Year period and closed all public holidays.

Can I claim Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?

Being an Approved Service Provider means under the Families Assistance Law, receives and passes on Child Care Subsidy (CCS) payments to eligible families to reduce the cost of child care.

The Australian Government – Services Australia provides assistance to help you with the cost of child care.

To obtain information about CCS or find out if you are eligible to receive it, visit the The Australian Government – Services Australia website

How much does it cost to put my child on the waiting list?

There are no cost. Simply complete and submit the online form or call us.

How do I enrol my child?

Simply complete and submit the online form or call us to talk you through the process.

Do I have to pay for public holidays, even though the service isn’t open?

Yes, this is standard practice and parents are entitled to CCS. On enrolment carefully read the enrolment forms and polices or procedures relating to the payment of fees

Do you have qualified and experienced staff?

Yes, at Kids Cottage we recognise our educators and carers as being our most valuable resource. Kids Cottage educators and carers are highly qualified and well trained. We exceed the staffing arrangements required by regulations and in line with our vision to strive for excellence in early childhood education and care. We provide our staff and educators with ongoing in-service training and meet on a regular basis to share our experiences and professionally develop.

Is food provided?

Yes, a planned and nutritious menu which includes lunch, morning, afternoon & late afternoon tea and snacks is prepared on the premise by a cook. Also included are dietary and or cultural needs and requirements – please provide your own formula and bottle if required. Kids Cottage is an allergy aware service.

Does the service provide nappies?

No, nappies must be provided by the parent.

Do long day care services follow a set curriculum?

Under the National Law and Regulations, Early Childhood and Education and Care services including long day care are required to base their educational program on an approved learning framework.

This framework at the minimum focuses on addressing the developmental needs, interests and experiences of each child, while taking into account individual differences.

The national approved learning framework under the National Quality Framework (NQF) for young children birth to five years of age which outline practices that support and promote children’s learning is Belong, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF).

The EYLF describes the principles, practice and outcomes essential to support and enhance young children’s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to school.

The Framework has a strong emphasis on play-based learning as play is the best vehicle for young children’s learning providing the most appropriate stimulus for brain development. The Framework also recognises the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development.

At Kids Cottage, the EYLF is further enhanced with suitable adaptations of the NSW Curriculum Framework and Reggio Emilia principles approach to education.

Do you offer a transition to school program?

Yes, aligned with the pedagogical principles and practices of the EYLF, we offer a child led ‘play and inquiry-based’ preschool program including working together with families and other professionals to ensure your child is prepared with the transition from home and Early Childhood and Education and Care (ECEC) services to school.

The NSW Department of Education website has developed factual information to assist parents and educators with the Transition to School process.

Why is play Important?

Play-based learning is a context for learning through which children organise and make sense of their social worlds, as they engage actively with people, objects and representations

For more information visit: EYLF & startingblocks.gov.au

What is the difference between Long Day Care and Preschool?

Both preschools and long day care service types are licensed and regulated by the NSW Department of Education to ensure children are provided with a safe and appropriate environment for their care and wellbeing.

For example, both services must provide age appropriate development activities and employ suitably qualified staff such as employ a university qualified early childhood teacher (0-8 years) if they cater for more than 29 children identifying the fact that Early childhood teachers are not trained only for the preschool child.

Kids Cottage is rated Exceeds the quality assurance standard that Preschools have only now been required to meet in line with the new National Quality Framework and Early Years Learning Framework.

This makes Kids Cottage an approved long day child care provider by the Australian Government for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Families who satisfy eligibility requirements for Child Care Subsidy may receive payments if they use approved care.
Preschools are primarily for non-working families or families that only require the school hours. Long day care primarily cater for families requiring the longer hours such as studying and working. Both services provide a preschool program only if implemented by a Degree Qualified Early Childhood Teacher recognised by ACECQA.

What is important is the quality of the curriculum, program and service overall. Preschools operate in line with the school terms where long day care operates for most of the year and again catering for the development, well-being and education of the child whilst also supporting the working family by being open for the longer hours.

For more information visit the following website links to StartingBlocks.gov.au: choosing a quality education and care service for your child and family; types of education and care services & choosing quality care for preschoolers.

Is there public transport/off-street parking nearby?

Yes, Gladesville service parking for drop-off and collection is available in the car park located between 10-12 Oxford Street. Public buses are also available from nearby Victoria Road. Hunters Hill service, there is ample short term on-street parking available on Earl Street. Public buses are also available from nearby High Street, Princes Street and Pittwater Road.

Register to Apply

Given the ever-increasing demand for places at our service we recommend that parents place their child on our waiting list as soon as possible. This entails the completion of an online application form at no cost. This application is the first step in the enrolment process and is not a guarantee of admission.