Frequently asked questions.
Browse the topics below
starting childcare
Kindergarten faq’s
Childcare subsidiary
The first day!
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Chat with Glenice (our centre-manager) about the perfect drop-off time for your little one's big first day! We love to see families arrive at the usual time to make the routine feel just right. But hey, we get it—the first day can be a bit emotional! That's why we're here to team up with you and create the best experience tailored to your unique needs. Let's make this day as smooth and fun as possible!
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Visit us at reception (building on the left), let us know you’re here and your child’s room leader will come and take you to where you need to go.
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At Surrey Hills Baptist Early Learning Centre, we’ve got you and your little one covered for a day full of fun! But to keep things squeaky clean, we kindly ask families to pack a name-labelled water bottle and a change of clothes—because let’s face it, adventures can get a bit messy!
If your little explorer has a special snuggly, like a dummy or a comfy sleeping bag or blanket to help them drift off during nap time, don’t forget to send that along too. We’re all about making sure everyone feels comfy and cozy as they dive into their day of learning and play!
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When families arrive, we’re here to make it a breeze! We’ll help you sign in your little one, find that perfect locker, and tuck away their bag. Plus, you’ll get to meet our fabulous room educators if you haven’t already during orientation! Our Room Leader will then whisk your child off to an exciting activity, introduce them to new friends, or even offer a yummy breakfast if it’s morning drop-off time. And don’t worry, we’ve got your back too—sometimes, parents need a little extra love and maybe a tissue (or two)!
On your child’s first day, we’ll dive right into making new friends with their educators and other kids in the room! Building those connections will help them feel cozy and secure in their new space. Plus, we’ll encourage them to explore and discover their new surroundings through exciting activities they love, like drawing, gardening, or playing in the sand pit. Let the fun begin!
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It’s super comforting for your little one when you take a moment to hang out before dashing off at drop-off time! We know mornings can be a whirlwind (hello, busy parents!), but a sweet goodbye goes a long way in giving them a cozy sense of security. Remind them you'll be back soon, and watch their worries melt away!
If they do get a little teary-eyed, don’t fret! Our amazing educators will swoop in to reassure them that you'll return and guide them to explore all the fun we have waiting here. One of our special educators will stick nearby to help your child settle in and build that magical trust, making them feel safe and excited to dive into the day’s adventures!
Child care subsidy
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Child Care Subsidy (CCS) helps families with the costs of child care. Families must meet eligibility criteria to get CCS. The amount of CCS a family can get depends on their circumstances.
https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/providers/child-care-subsidy
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Your combined family income is one of three key factors that determine how much Child Care Subsidy you will receive. Generally, as family income increases, the amount of Government Subsidy decreases. The other two factors determining your Child Care Subsidy is your fortnightly activity – such as work, study or volunteering, and the type of service your child attends.
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Calculating your subsidy entitlements can be quite complex. Before starting care, you must complete a Child Care Subsidy assessment and submit your application via myGov. During this process, families need to provide information regarding estimated combined family income and activity details. The government will handle all communications related to Child Care Subsidy through myGov.
Your subsidy percentage will depend on your estimated annual combined family income. The final subsidy amount will be determined at the end of the year when your adjusted taxable income is calculated, after submitting your tax return. A simple way to estimate your income is by using your previous year's tax return along with any anticipated pay increases.
It's important to note that 5% of your weekly Child Care Subsidy entitlement will be withheld by the government. After reconciling your tax return at the end of the financial year, you will receive any owed amount as a lump sum. However, if you've received excess Child Care Subsidy, you will have a debt to repay.
Additionally, keep in mind that if your child is not immunised, they won't qualify for any rebate or financial assistance under these programs, unless there's a valid exemption.
Once you have registered at myGov, feel free to contact us at SHBELC. We can guide you through the entire process, explain how it all works, provide an estimated cost, and inform you about other important details as you move forward. If you wish to estimate your subsidy now, you can utilize our child care subsidy calculator.
Kindergarten FAQ’s
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Thinking about Kindergarten? Let’s get the ball rolling well ahead of your child’s starting date! Many fabulous programs, especially the ones everyone raves about, fill up quickly—sometimes over a year in advance! So, the sooner you start your search, pick a program, and lock in a spot, the better chance you have of securing your top choice. Remember, early learning centres typically accept Kindergarten enrolments from children already enrolled before their eligible Kindergarten year. It’s super important to apply for a place as early as you can!
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At Surrey Hills Baptist Early Learning Centre, we know that the journey to school is an exciting adventure for your little one! Usually, kiddos head off to 4-year-old Kindergarten in the year before they take their first big step into school. To start school, your child needs to be 5 by April 30th in their first year. You’ll also need to have them enrolled by the time they turn 6, unless you have a special exemption. If your child's birthday falls on or before April 30th, you can choose to enroll them to start school in the year they turn 5 or wait until they turn 6.
Because every child learns in their own unique way and at their own pace, it’s important to consider their individual situation, usually in partnership with their 4-year-old kindergarten teacher. Some little learners even attend 4-year-old kindergarten twice to soak up all the fun and learning!
Before embarking on the 4-year-old journey, many children enjoy 3-year-old kindergarten in the year prior. If your child turns 3 by April 30th, they might get a chance to join their kindergarten friends right at the start of the year, subject to available spots. Just remember, sessional kindergartens typically ask that children turn 3 before beginning 3-year-old kindergarten and 4 before starting 4-year-old kindergarten, which means they may not be eligible for the full year depending on their age.
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At Surrey Hills Baptist Early Learning Centre, we're all about making learning fun and flexible! Instead of sticking to the old-fashioned sessional model with just 15 hours a week at rigid times, we offer a lively program that flows throughout the entire day. This means families can pick and choose when they want to join in on the fun, making life that much simpler! Your little one can dive into a structured, exciting learning experience without you having to juggle your work schedule around those pesky fixed hours. It's all about keeping the joy alive in learning while making things easier for everyone!
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Short answer - No. SHBELC is a registered kindergarten with specialised preschool programs for 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarteners preparing them with everything they need to begin school. Our program follows the exact same requirements of the National Quality Framework and State–based Education Department guides for kindergarten/preschool.
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Heading off to school as an older kid isn’t about being held back; it’s like stepping into a world of fun adventures! It’s a fantastic chance to boost their confidence, hone skills, and grow into a mature superstar alongside their peers. At our kindergarten and preschool, we have amazing educators who truly know your child! They understand what sparks joy in learning and makes their little hearts dance. Whether your child shines bright as a leader, grooves with the group, or even mixes it up between the two, our teachers are on it! They’re excited to share their insights on how your child lights up in group activities and whether they really thrive, or maybe just hang on tight, in the exciting mix of growing up as a younger or older member of the crew. Let’s make learning a playful adventure together!
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Get ready for a learning adventure! Your little one will dive into a fun-filled program bursting with excitement and purpose. As the world evolves and we learn more about how kids’ brains tick, we've jazzed up our teaching style to focus on playful, open-ended experiences!
Here’s what they’ll get to enjoy:
Counting and crayons! We make learning numbers and letters a blast with engaging activities that mean something special to them.
Social superheroes! Through our playful interactions, kids will master vital social and emotional skills that help them grow into confident, resilient little champions.
Ready, set, school! Our clear learning outcomes will equip your child with the tools they need to shine in formal schooling and beyond.
Let the fun begin! 🎉✨
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Well you could… but asking your child to deal with two programs and two sets of friendships may be too much to cope with before their school transition. School is in one place, with one set of friends and one set of teachers. By that logic, one program instead of two sounds like the more logical transition to school don’t you think?
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To get ready for school and all the adventures life throws their way, kids need to amp up their coping skills and keep that curiosity buzzing! Our program is all about empowering little learners to take charge, jump in, and team up with their pals. We’re turning them into future leaders who aren’t afraid to try new things! With a sprinkle of creativity, they’ll become the problem solvers and innovative thinkers this world needs.
Our fantastic teachers and educators use fun and flexible teaching strategies that adapt to each child’s unique learning style, background, and interests. We’re on a mission to help children build those strong social and emotional skills that set them up for success in school and beyond. Let the journey begin!
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To help keep our fees friendly and manageable, the government currently lends a hand with Kindergarten programs in three main ways:
Child Care Subsidy
If you’re choosing SHBELC, a long day care service, you’ll benefit from the Child Care Subsidy! This subsidy is based on your family’s situation and will continue just like it did before kindergarten. Remember, this subsidy doesn’t apply to sessional kindergartens.
Government Funding
This funding supports us based on how many little ones are part of the program. It’s paid directly to our centre, ensuring that every dollar is used to enhance your child’s experience. Each kindergarten shares how this funding is spent, ensuring it reaches our curious learners’ needs! The fee we charge helps cover any gaps between the government funding and the delivery of our quality program.
Free Kinder Initiative
Here’s where it gets a bit exciting! The government offers an additional $2000 per child for each kindergarten year—called Free Kinder. This amount is applied as a weekly discount against your fees, starting after the funding is released around March. To qualify, just let us know about your funded enrolment and complete the required forms we’ll send you.
Note: Always keep an eye out; subsidies may change, so let’s stay informed together!
Enrol Your Child
We would love to hear from you!
If you are wanting to enrol your child at Surrey Hills Baptist Early Learning Centre we invite you to book a tour to see our facilities and meet the Educators.