In the ever-evolving landscape of childcare, parents often find themselves navigating a maze of questions, uncertainties, and choices. It’s a journey that can be both exciting and daunting.
We understand the importance of making informed decisions when it comes to our children’s education, safety and care. That’s why we asked you to share with us all your childcare questions. We’ve connected with Sutherland Shire Council Children’s Services, to bring you the answers.
From what to look for in a childcare service and questions to ask when taking a tour, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s embark on this journey together and shed some light on the world of childcare.
What should I be looking for in a service?
To make an informed choice for your child, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with the centres of interest to you. Consider the following when touring a service, to help you make the best decision:
Environment and Interactions:
- Is the environment clean?
- What are the educator-to-child ratios?
- How many babies, toddlers or preschoolers are there in the room each day?
- Are there lots of interesting resources available to the children?
- Do educators engage with children in a warm and positive manner?
- Does the team appear happy, motivated and engaged?
- In what way does the centre create consistency in educators for the children to develop secure bonds and attachments?
Communication and Parent Involvement:
- How does the centre communicate with parents about their child’s day?
- Can the centre share an example of a Daily Reflection or similar learning summary?
- Is there an open-door policy for parents to visit and participate in activities?
- Are there regular opportunities for parent-teacher meetings or progress reports?
- How does the service manage parent feedback and in what ways do they capture the voices of parents?
- If I have a concern relating to the way my child is being treated, how is this handled?
Learning and Development:
- What is the curriculum/approach to early childhood education?
- How are the children’s individual needs and interests incorporated into the program?
- Are there opportunities for outdoor play and exploration?
- How are educators provided with professional learning opportunities to support their work with children?
Safety and Security:
- What safety measures are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of the children?
- Are there secure entry and exit procedures?
- How are emergencies handled?
- What are the centre’s child supervision plans to ensure educator-to-child ratios are maintained at all times?
Policies and Procedures:
- What are the policies regarding illness, medication, and allergies?
- How does the service support children’s behaviour?
- What are the procedures for handling disputes or concerns?
National Quality Rating:
- Ask about the service’s ‘National Quality Rating’. Childcare falls under the jurisdiction of the NSW Department of Education which undertakes assessments of every service on a rotation basis.
Inclusion:
- How will my child be supported in the centre?
- Does the centre have embedded practices that support children’s growth and understanding of diversity and Aboriginal perspectives?
What is the average number of children by class?
This varies by service and is dependent on the physical size of the service and the maximum number of enrolled children.
It is important for parents to enquire about the number and ages of the children in each room. Look beyond the educator-to-child ratios (which all services must legally follow) and consider whether your child would be suited to a smaller or larger group size.
It’s also worth thinking about your family’s preference for age-based groupings. Some families prefer their child to be surrounded by peers the same age while others value mixed age group learning. There is no right or wrong. Mixed ages, for example, provide the opportunity for children to learn from each other, where the older children may take on a ‘leadership’ and nurturing role while younger children are supported with mastery around skills and development. It comes down to knowing what’s important to your family and what you’re looking for in a service.
What is the difference between preschools and other types of care?
Preschools are one of four government-approved care types, the others being Early Education Centres, Family Day Care and In Home Care.
Preschools offer care and education to children aged 3-5 years. Preschools mirror school hours and the school term (close during school holidays). Some preschools offer slightly longer opening hours outside of core hours (e.g. 8am-4pm).
Preschools are funded by the NSW State Government. Early Education Centres, Family Day Care and In Home Care are funded by the federal government in the form of Child Care Subsidy.
Each of these four service types all offer play-based learning programs and are legally required to follow the Early Years Learning Framework – the only Australian Government-approved framework for children under school age.
What parents will find is that whilst the fees, opening hours and inclusions will differ, the learning outcomes for children are matched among the different types of services.
What are the differences between Council run and private centres?
Local government providers of early education and care are widely recognised for offering unique factors, including:
- Oversight and governance, with various layers of management. This ensures a commitment to quality and provides families with avenues to voice their opinion and provide feedback. Sutherland Shire Council services also undergo their own internal quality assessments by an early childhood expert to ensure they are operating to a high standard.
- A strong commitment to inclusion, including working with individual families to place children in centres that will best support their needs. Sutherland Shire Council works collaboratively with inclusion support agencies to support children’s inclusion into the program and help all children develop an appreciation for diversity and acceptance of others.
- Strong industry engagement to keep abreast of contemporary practices and help to shape the future of our sector.
- Investment in their centres and Educators, through regular building and playground upgrades and the ongoing provision of professional development opportunities for staff to ensure they remain knowledgeable, skilled and motivated.
Council services and supply and demand
There is a strong demand for infant positions across the Sutherland Shire. When vacancies arise in Council-run Early Education Centres, irrespective of the age of the vacating child, they look at how they can make adjustments to create additional birth-2 year old positions for local families.
Local Councils do not determine the number of childcare centres within their geographic area, just like they don’t determine, for example, the number of supermarkets in an area. It’s a competitive, open market.
There are no State or Federal planning laws regarding the number of childcare centres in any given local government area. The State Government prescribes the building requirements for childcare centres however does not prescribe how many.
Approved childcare providers are also licenced by the governing body for childcare in terms of the number of enrolled children each day. Factors including the physical size of services and staffing requirements also impact on maximum enrolled numbers within services.
When and how to apply for care
Sutherland Shire Council recommends applying for care as early as possible and accepts childcare applications after a child’s birth. Some providers accept applications earlier. Contact the services you are interested in to enquire about their specific application for care policy.
It’s best to apply for care with multiple services. If your requirements change after making your application (e.g. care days required), ensure you contact the services to let them know. You might also consider alternative travel routes to work, providing the option of additional services.
Applying online for care at Council’s 11 Early Education Centres is quick and easy. Visit sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/childcare. If you wish to add more than three Council centres to your childcare application or to discuss your specific childcare needs, please contact their Customer Service team on 9710 0466.
