Long day care near Waitara.

Waitara is the next station north of Wahroonga on the train, a short drive from Normanhurst. We currently have several Waitara families enrolled.

From

Waitara NSW 2077

Travel

7 minutes by car to Normanhurst Child Care Centre

Centre address

66 Denman Parade, Normanhurst NSW 2076

Phone

02 9487 5455

Hours

7:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday

Why Waitara families come to Normanhurst

Waitara families value the practical convenience of having Normanhurst Station, and therefore our centre, on the direct train line into the city. Drop-off in the morning before the commute is straightforward. The 198 bus also runs from Hornsby through Waitara to Normanhurst Station.

The day is built for working parents: doors open at 7am and close at 6pm, there is parking on site for the mornings you drive, and the centre is open 50 weeks of the year, so care does not stop for school holidays. Fees are all-inclusive, which keeps the morning routine short: no lunchbox to pack, no spare sunscreen, no bag of nappies.

About the centre

Normanhurst Child Care Centre is a long day care centre on Denman Parade, a few minutes south of Waitara on the North Shore line. We've been here since October 1997. 3 age-banded rooms (Possum 0-2, Koala 2-3, Emu 3-6), a long-tenured team with several Early Childhood Teacher qualifications between them, and our own cook preparing all meals on site daily.

Centre Director Jacque has been with us since 2006. Educational Leaders Hayley and Rochelle have both been here for over 20 years. Waitara families often tell us they value the continuity of having the same educators welcome their child every morning.

From the Possum Room to the Emu Room

Our 48 places are spread across three rooms. The Possum Room (6 weeks to 2 years) runs at 1 educator to 4 children, with each baby's sleeps and feeds following their home routine. The Koala Room (2 to 3 years, 1 educator to 5) is where toddlers stretch their language and independence. The Emu Room (3 to 6 years, 1 educator to 10) finishes the journey with a school-readiness program that prepares children for the local public and independent schools Waitara families choose.

Moving up happens when your child is ready, and because the rooms share one building and one outdoor area, the next room is never a mystery: children already know the faces in it.

Food, allergies and the menu

Dianne cooks five meals a day in our own kitchen, working to a 4-week rotating menu approved under the NSW Munch & Move program. The kitchen is nut-aware, and any allergy or intolerance is managed by Dianne at the stove rather than at the table. Meals are part of the fee, so mornings start without packing food.

How settling in works

Before the first full day, children come for orientation visits with a parent, then build up gradually at their own pace. Once your child starts, the OWNA app delivers photos and updates on meals, sleeps and nappies through the day, so you can check in from anywhere between Waitara and the city. The centre has been on Denman Parade since 1997 and is rated Meeting under the National Quality Standard.

Daily fees and Child Care Subsidy

Daily fees are $185 (Possum, 0-2), $175 (Koala, 2-3), and $164 (Emu, 3-6), with all meals, sunscreen, a bucket hat and the education program included. Disposable nappies and baby formula included for the Possum and Koala rooms. We're Child Care Subsidy approved, so most families pay considerably less than the headline rate. Try the gap-fee calculator on the homepage to estimate your out-of-pocket cost.

Tours

Tours run during the week, at quieter moments. We show you all three rooms, the kitchen, the outdoor area, and you meet Jacque and the educators. Tours take about 30 minutes. Book through the form on the homepage, or call us on 02 9487 5455.

Waitara FAQs

How do we get there from Waitara?

About seven minutes by car, and the centre is a short walk from Normanhurst Station. There is parking on site at 66 Denman Parade.

Do you take babies?

Yes, from 6 weeks in the Possum Room, with nappies and formula included in the daily fee.

What are the educator ratios?

1 to 4 for babies, 1 to 5 for toddlers and 1 to 10 in the preschool room.

What hours and weeks are you open?

7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 50 weeks a year, including school holidays.