Parents Information

West Long Day Care Centre is a purpose built and equipped Long Day Care Centre. It is a multicultural Centre catering for up to 76 children aged between 0-5 years. The Centre is open 50 weeks per year Monday to Friday between 7:00am and 6:00pm. We are open all year with the exception of Public Holidays and 2 weeks during the Christmas period. Dates will be advised.

Fees from 1st January 2024

Full Day Session:
7.00am to 6.00pm

0 to 2 years $165.00 per day

2 to 3 years $156.00 per day

3 to 6 years $149.00 per day

Includes:
Afternoon Tea, Breakfast, Education Programs, Lunch, Morning Tea, Nappy, Other Meals

JOEYS ROOM
0-2 YEARS

The learning environment for this age group is open and flexible and caters for both indoor and outdoor space allowing the children to explore the learning at their own pace and development.

JUNGLE ROOM
2-3 YEARS

This classroom caters for up to 15 children per day aged between 2-3 years of age. There are 3 main Educators in the room each day.

An energetic and inviting learning environment, in which children explore their interests and learning is strengthened and supported by the educators. We offer flexible routines that allow for consistency with family routines, large blocks of time for play and learning, and children’s choice and direction on experiences throughout the day.

STAR ROOM
3-4 YEARS

This classroom caters for up to 20 children per day aged between 3-4 years of age. There are 2 main Educators in the room each day.

Creators of their own play, with a curiosity for learning and understanding why, this room allows children to initiate and explore their interests and knowledge through play and set learning.

RAINBOW ROOM
4-5 YEARS

This classroom caters for up to 20 children per day aged between 4-5 years of age. There are 2 main Educators in the room each day.

Independent learners with a curiosity for learning, experimenting and problem-solving through creativity and exploration, thereby develops and prepares children for their formal years of schooling.

The following items need to be brought in each day when your child attends the Centre and please ensure your child’s belongings are clearly labelled with their full name –

• A backpack – this should be easy for your child to open and close themselves without adult assistance. Please ensure that it is large enough to accommodate your child’s spare clothes and artwork.
• Spare clothes – these need to be appropriate for all weather conditions. Children get distressed when they have to wear clothes that don’t belong to them. Accidents occur and are not always caused by wet pants. They are often caused by the spilling of paint, water or other craft activities.
• A sun safe hat – this needs to protect your child’s face, neck and ears and must be brought all year round regardless of the weather conditions. We recommend that parents apply sunscreen to their child every day before they bring them to the Centre. This encourages good habits from an early age.
• Water bottle – all children need to bring a water bottle every day.
• Comforter – if required.
• The Centre provides all bottles, teats, cups and a range of formulas (S26 Gold 1 and 2, S26 Lactose Free, S26 Soy). If your child uses a different formula to these you will be required to provide this and if your child uses bottles or teats that we do not have please feel free to bring these in with your child’s name clearly labelled on them.

We understand that it can be stressful for parents to have to leave their children with new faces, especially in the early stages. For this reason, we have a strong emphasis on communicating with parents and whilst we would always welcome the opportunity to talk with you personally, we employ several different methods to ensure that we are always available to you, and that you and we are always well informed.

• EIKOH App– the Centre has a custom secure mobile-based portfolio platform that aims to ensure your child receives the best support possible and that you are involved and up-to-date with your child’s development. It allows parents to see their child’s activities at any time while educators can share photos, videos, stories and reflections in real time. Parents can read and respond to posts, upload photos and videos and stay updated on announcements and calendar events
• Communication pockets – every child has a pocket in which notices and letters are placed. Parents may also use these to pass on information to other parents
• Newsletters – these are available on the App and are an important source of information. Please read them to keep up to date with the forth coming events at the centre
• Reports – the Centre completes developmental progress reports which are sent home mid-year and at the end of year which explains your child’s development and answers any questions you may have regarding learning and development and school readiness
• Email – our email system is heavily used internally and we encourage parents to communicate with us via email if they choose to

The Centre provides all meals, disposable nappies, linen and the Cancer Council’s Kids 50+ sunscreen.

The Centre has a qualified cook and provides five meals daily, consisting of a nutritionally balanced menu of breakfast, morning tea, a hot lunch, afternoon tea and a late afternoon tea. Full cream milk and light milk is served to suit the daily menu, and fresh water is available throughout the day. A weekly menu is displayed in the foyer and the daily menu is displayed on the Centres App.

We cater for children with allergies and dietary requirements and encourage children’s healthy eating and physical activity using a range of fun, play-based learning experiences in consultation with Munch & Move NSW Health initiative that supports the healthy development of children birth to 5 years.

Due to the increased number of children with an anaphylaxis reaction to nuts, the Centre is NUT AWARE. To assist us with this, we ask that your child does not bring any food or drink, of any kind, into the centre. We also ask that if your child has had a nut product to eat before arriving at the Centre that you ensure that they brush their teeth and thoroughly wash their hands before coming into the Centre.

The first day is not always easy. For many it is a new experience separating from parents as well as adjusting to a new environment. All children are individuals and the time it takes to settle into the new environment will be different for each child. 

Parents and children are welcome to visit the Centre before your child’s first day so that they can become familiar with staff and premises. Please call the Director to organise these visits. Parents are encouraged to stay for a short period. Sometimes, it is better to leave your child but return early and spend time in the Centre in the afternoon (it all depends on your child).

It is important that before the first day you talk with your child about the Centre and what they can expect, this helps with the transition. Orientation days are also encouraged. Please remember that children pick up on the feelings of their parents and if you are unsure or anxious about leaving your child, please talk to the Director or educators.

You are welcome to call the Centre during the day to see how your child is going. It is most important that you always say good bye to your child before you leave the Centre, even if you feel this is distressing to your child. If you fail to do this it can lead to mistrust and adds to the distress for your child.

The Centre cannot provide adequate care for sick or contagious children so please keep your child at home if they are unwell. Please show consideration for others if your child has a cough or cold as these spread quickly in the Centre’s environment. Keeping them at home will reduce the risk of infections being spread at the centre and will allow for your child to recover quickly.

A Doctor’s Certificate is necessary for re-admission to the Centre after an infectious illness. Only authorised medicines can be administered to the children. These must be fully labelled and the details of the dose and when the medicine is to be given must be written daily on a medication form. 

Children with the following conditions must be excluded from the Centre as per the Centre's Health Policy Statement.

- Coloured discharge from the eyes

- Vomiting

- Diarrhoea

- Fever, lethargic, irritable or tired

- Live lice or eggs

Keep your child at home while any symptoms of an illness remain and for 24 hours from commencing antibiotics to ensure they have no side effects to the medication. Children who are experiencing fevers, vomiting or diarrhoea need to remain home until symptoms have stopped for at least 24 hours.

Parents will be contacted and asked to collect their child if they develop a temperature, vomiting or diarrhoea. If parents cannot be reached an emergency contact person will be contacted and asked to collect the child.

All parents are required to give permission at the time of enrolment for their child to be given treatment in the event of an emergency where medical, dental, hospital treatment or ambulance service is required.