Admissions

We are accepting applications

Enrolment

To enrol at the centre parents are asked to undertake the following process:

Contact the centre to arrange a visit to familiarise yourself with the centre and to meet the educators.
Arrange Child Care Subsidy. Application forms are available from any Centrelink or on your MyGov Website.
Complete all the details on the Enrolment Record.
Ensure you have provided your family CRNs if applicable from Centrelink/FAO 13 61 50.
Read the Parent Guide and if you would like to read any policies/procedures, they are located in our Foyer
Phone to confirm booking arrangements and orientation days.

The content of the Enrolment Record is kept strictly confidential in accordance with the centre’s policy and Privacy Act. A child may not commence care until these forms have been completed and a $150 deposit has been processed. The form includes the immunisation record, medical contacts, and the names of at least two authorised people who can be contacted in the event of an emergency.

For more information call

(03) 5971 2230

Fees

Fee payment arrangements must be made with management prior to commencement of care.

Fee payments are calculated using the rate set out in the Fee Schedule (displayed in the Foyer) and based on a family’s care requirements in days.

If Child Care Subsidy (CCS) contributes to part of your payment then your CRN details must be forwarded to management during the enrolment process and prior to care.

Fees are to be paid weekly or fortnightly, and must remain two weeks in advance.
Payments must be maintained to ensure your child’s permanent place within the centre.
Arrangement for payment of fees is preferably via a credit/debit card in conjunction with our Debit Success payment system. Please note if the payment doesn’t go through we are now charged a fee and will have to pass this payment onto you.
Centre management will need to sight the credit/debit card to ensure the details match with the Debit Success parent registration form.
Receipts/Invoices will be issued each Monday and will be emailed via our Xplor Software unless other arrangements are made.
Full fees will be charged for all absences, including illness and public holidays.

National Quality Framework

The Australian Government has initiated the National Quality Framework, the purpose of which is to improve, through self-assessment processes, the quality of care and education for children in children’s services.

Little Acorns Childcare supports this initiative and welcomes the involvement of parents and educators in examining our policies and procedures on a monthly basis. We value any comments or feedback on the principles and our practices that affect the quality of the service we provide for the children. It is a continual and ongoing process whereas a community service we will examine each of the principles underpinning our policies and procedures including Health and Safety, Curriculum and Professional Development.

Through feedback from educators, parents, and children we are able to make ongoing assessments about what we do and how we can improve. Input that is constructive and places emphasis on co-operation produces a quality program and an environment that continually grows in excellence.

Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Child Care Subsidy is available to all families. This subsidy is paid according to a means and activity test and the assessment is carried out by the Family Assistance Office (Centrelink). For more information go to mychild.gov.au. Higher levels of CCS are available when more than one child is in care, even if the sibling is at another centre, or is in out of school hour’s care. We need to be informed if you have a child in care at another service and are claiming CCS for that child i.e., before or after school care.
It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their CCS is current; full fees will be charged if it lapses.

FAQ

How do I enrol my child?

-Contact the centre to arrange a visit to familiarise yourself with the centre and to meet the educators. Arrange Child Care Subsidy. Application forms are available from any Centrelink or on your MyGov Website. -Complete all the details on the Enrolment Record. -Ensure you have provided your family CRNs if applicable from Centrelink/FAO 13 61 50. -Read the Parent Guide and if you would like to read any policies/procedures, they are located in our Foyer -Phone to confirm booking arrangements and orientation days.
What is orientation?

Orientation enables us to begin to establish a relationship with you and your child over a short period of time, so that when their first day does come around, they are beginning to be comfortable in the centre. For this reason, we require a minimum 1-hour orientation with your child to ensure they are comfortable with the educators and you are comfortable for Little Acorns to care for your child. There is no maximum, you will know best when your child and yourself are comfortable and satisfied.
What are your fees?

Fee payment arrangements must be made with management prior to commencement of care. Fee payments are calculated using the rate set out in the Fee Schedule (displayed in the Foyer) and based on a family’s care requirements in days. If Child Care Subsidy (CCS) contributes to part of your payment then your CRN details must be forwarded to management during the enrolment process and prior to care. Fees are to be paid weekly or fortnightly, and must remain two weeks in advance. Payments must be maintained to ensure your child’s permanent place within the centre. Arrangement for payment of fees is preferably via a credit/debit card in conjunction with our Debit Success payment system. Please note if the payment doesn’t go through we are now charged a fee and will have to pass this payment onto you. Centre management will need to sight the credit/debit card to ensure the details match with the Debit Success parent registration form. Receipts/Invoices will be issued each Monday and will be emailed via our Xplor Software unless other arrangements are made. Full fees will be charged for all absences, including illness and public holidays.
Late fees and closing

The centre closes at 6:30pm. If a child has not been collected by the nominated person by 6:30pm the following process will be undertaken. If you do not make arrangements to contact the centre before closure to let the educators know you will be late; one of the authorized emergency contacts will be called to collect the child. It is important that the people with lawful authority are aware of their responsibility. If no contact can be made by 6.40pm the Police and the Department of Health and Human Services Child Protection Unit will be notified, and arrangements shall be made. A late fee of $2.00 per minute per child will need to be charged. This is to cover the cost of overtime of two educator’s that are required by law to stay to care for a child. These fees will be added to your account.
Make-up Days

Little Acorns unfortunately do not provide make up days in lieu of an absence. Should you require an extra day because of any reason, Little Acorns will always do its best to provide the care as an additional day to your normal days in care.
What is involved in your 4-Year-Old Kindergarten Program?

We offer a 4-Year-Old Kindergarten program that is delivered by our qualified Early Childhood teacher. The Kindergarten program is offered every day between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm. We work within the guidelines of The Victorian Early Years Learning Framework (VEYLF) and The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) that provides a way to understand how learning and development facilitated by our Educators sets the foundations for success at school and life beyond. LEARNING OUTCOMES from the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework describes what children should know and be able to do in the early years and links these outcomes to the ELYF. Our Little Acorns curriculum SUPPORTS CHILDREN’S transitions into and between early childhood education and care and school. Children attending Little Acorns Kindergarten will be issued transition reports prior to attending primary school. For more information regarding Kindergarten please refer to our Kindergarten Information Book.
Cancellation of enrolment.

We require two weeks notice of a parent’s intention to withdraw their child or reduce the hours of attendance. Unexplained absences of more than two weeks may result in your place being offered to another family.
What are your opening hours?

Opening hours 6.30am - 6.30pm Monday - Friday.
Are you open on public holidays?

We are closed on all State and National public holidays.