Question 1

What times and days does the centre open?

Accepted Answer

The centre opens from Monday to Friday between 6:30 am to 6:30 pm all year round, except for public holidays.

Question 2

How many days can my child attend?

Accepted Answer

Your child can attend as little as one day or as many as the full five days each week. The choice is completely up to you. We do recommend that children attend a minimum of two days a week if possible. This enables the children to settle into the centre easily, form friendships and bonds quicker and provides them with more consistent opportunities for learning.

Question 3

What is provided in the cost?

Accepted Answer

We provide all meals including breakfast, if your child arrives before 8 am, morning tea, afternoon tea, a hot, cooked lunch, a late snack for the children who are at the centre late and fruit throughout the day. We provide nappies and use the best in order to keep your little ones dry and comfortable, so we only use Huggies nappies.

Question 4

What kind of meals do you provide and do you cater for special dietary requirements?

Accepted Answer

We are able to cater for most dietary requirements and suggest you contact the centre to discuss your child’s needs. We provide freshly cooked on-site meals for the children that are nutritious and delicious using fresh ingredients sourced from local suppliers within our community. Some of the children’s favourites include butter chicken, pumpkin, potato and leek soup, vegetarian lasagne and Moroccan chicken.

Question 5

What do I need to bring for my child?

Accepted Answer

All items and belongings must be clearly labelled with your child’s first and last name. You need to bring a bag for their personal belongings, a spare change of clothes (more than one, if not toilet trained), suitable clothing such as closed-toe shoes, and clothes appropriate to the weather conditions such as a coat and gumboots for wet weather, sun hat for hot weather etc., any comfort items the child may need such as a dummy, cuddle toy etc.

Question 6

How do you manage medical conditions for my child?

Accepted Answer

We can and have successfully managed a vast array of medical conditions in children. We work closely with our staff, families and children to manage individual medical conditions of the children. We create risk-minimisation plans and communication plans in consultation with families and, at times, specialists. To see if we can cater to your child’s individual needs, please contact the centre and speak with our friendly director.

Question 7

What age group do you cater for?

Accepted Answer

We cater for children from six weeks of age to the year before they attend school.

Question 8

Do you provide real kindergarten?

Accepted Answer

Yes, real, proper, funded, same as “Sessional Kindergarten” which is conducted by a qualified kindergarten teacher.

Question 9

What is the difference between Sessional Kindergarten and kindergarten in long day care?

Accepted Answer

Our kindergarten program runs all day allowing more learning opportunity. Nutritional meals are provided, so there is no stress in preparing snacks or lunch. Convenient of pickup and drop off is provided. There is no need to rush to meet session start/finish times. They are open on school holidays. We are closed on public holidays making it more convenient for families.

Question 10

How many days does my child need to attend to be part of the kindergarten program?

Accepted Answer

Your child needs to attend three days per week to participate in the funded kindergarten.

Contact Pakenham Centre