Hours of operation
Normanhurst Child Care Centre is a purpose-built and equipped long day care centre. It is a licensed multicultural centre catering for up to 48 children aged between 0 and 6 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 NSW public holidays and 2 weeks during the Christmas period. Closure dates are advised each year.
Fees
- 0 to 2 years $185.00 per day (includes nappies, formulas if needed, all five meals)
- 2 to 3 years $175.00 per day (includes nappies and all five meals)
- 3 to 5 years $164.00 per day (includes all five meals)
Most families receive Child Care Subsidy (CCS) which significantly reduces this out-of-pocket cost. Your actual fee depends on family income, activity test, and approved hours.
Our classes
Three rooms, dedicated educators in each. Read more about each room →
What to bring
The following items need to be brought each day your child attends the centre. Please ensure your child's belongings are clearly labelled with their full name.
- A backpack easy for your child to open and close themselves without adult assistance, large enough for spare clothes and artwork
- Spare clothes appropriate for all weather conditions. Accidents happen, including paint spills, water play, and the usual
- A sun safe hat to protect your child's face, neck and ears, all year round. We recommend applying sunscreen at home before drop-off to encourage good habits
- 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, you'll need to provide it. If your child uses bottles or teats we don't have, bring them in clearly labelled.
Parent communication
We understand it can be stressful for parents to leave their children with new faces, especially in the early stages. We have a strong emphasis on communicating with parents and use several methods:
- OWNA app a secure mobile-based portfolio platform where educators share photos, videos, stories and reflections in real time. Parents can read and respond to posts, upload photos, and stay updated on announcements and calendar events
- Communication pockets every child has a pocket where notices and letters are placed. Parents can also use these to pass on information to other parents
- Reports we send mid-year and end-of-year developmental progress reports explaining your child's development, learning, and school readiness
- Email our email system is heavily used internally and we encourage parents to communicate with us via email if they prefer
- Face to face we are always happy to talk personally at drop-off, pickup, or by appointment
What we supply
The centre has a qualified cook and provides five meals daily: breakfast, morning tea, a hot lunch, afternoon tea and a late afternoon tea. Full cream milk and light milk are 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 on the centre's 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, a NSW Health initiative that supports the healthy development of children birth to 5 years.
Important · Nut aware
Due to the increased number of children with anaphylactic reactions to nuts, the centre is nut aware. We ask that your child does not bring any food or drink, of any kind, into the centre. If your child has had a nut product before arriving, please ensure they brush their teeth and thoroughly wash their hands before coming into the centre.
Orientation
The first day is not always easy. For many children it's a new experience separating from parents and adjusting to a new environment. All children are individuals and the time it takes to settle will be different for each child.
Parents and children are welcome to visit the centre before your child's first day so 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's better to leave your child but return early and spend time at the centre in the afternoon. It depends on your child.
Before the first day, talk with your child about the centre and what they can expect. This helps with the transition. Children pick up on the feelings of their parents, so 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 goodbye to your child before you leave the centre, even if you feel this is distressing. Failing to do this can lead to mistrust and adds to the distress for your child.
Sickness and emergencies
The centre cannot provide adequate care for sick or contagious children. Please keep your child at home if they are unwell. Please show consideration for others, as illnesses spread quickly in a centre environment. Keeping them home reduces the risk and allows 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 remain and for 24 hours from commencing antibiotics, to ensure they have no side effects to the medication. Children 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.
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.
What is CCS?
CCS stands for Child Care Subsidy, a government program in Australia that helps families with the cost of child care. The CCS is available to families with children aged 0-13 years who use approved child care services such as long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, and vacation care.
The subsidy amount you receive depends on your family's income, the type of care you use, and the hours of care you need. To be eligible, you and your partner (if applicable) must pass an activity test and meet residency requirements. The activity test assesses your level of work, study, training, or other recognised activity such as volunteering or actively looking for work.
If you are eligible, you apply for CCS through your myGov account and provide the required documents. Once your claim is processed, the CCS is paid directly to your child care provider to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
The CCS is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on eligibility and how to apply, see Services Australia.
Parent handbook
For the full set of policies, procedures, and details about life at our centre, please download our Parent Handbook (PDF).