FAQs

We believe that every child has the right to access quality child care and early education. To enable a fair approach for our community we offer positions to families listed on Kids' Early Learning centralised waitlist.

We encourage any families interested in joining Kids’ Early Learning Blacktown City to view our services online and complete our online waitlist form here.

You will be given options to select your preferred Kids’ Early Learning service for your child. Please indicate your choice of service in order of preference to join the service’s wait list.

Once you have submitted the online waitlist form, we will:

• Call you on the phone number provided once a position becomes available
• Discuss your child’s needs
• Organise a centre tour with the Centre Director
• Send you an enrolment pack
• Once we receive the completed enrolment pack, we will send you a welcome pack 

Your childcare fees will vary dependent on several factors including number of days in care, the age of your child and your eligibility for any government subsidies.

See our full listing of fees in the Goods and Services Pricing Schedule – Blacktown City Council.

What is Childcare subsidy?

Childcare subsidy helps with the cost of approved child care.  Centrelink pay this subsidy to your child care provider to reduce the fees you pay.

The Child Care Subsidy is means tested based on the combined family income, the fortnightly activity of families – such as work, study or volunteering – and the type of service a child attends.

To find out if you are eligible for CSS visit the Services Australia website here. Depending on your personal circumstances, there may also be other government funding available.

You can claim up to 42 absence days in each financial year. They can be for any reason and you do not need documentation. In some situations, you may be able to claim more than 42 days by providing supporting documents for the additional absences. If these cannot be provided for any absences over and above the 42 allowable days, full fee daily charges will apply.

Refer to the KEL Welcome Handbook for more information.  

The settling in period can vary from child to child depending on their needs and previous experiences.

You and your child are welcome to visit your service before your commencement date, so you can become familiar with the environment.

We encourage you to always say goodbye to your child and reassure them that you will return for them in the afternoon.

• Clothing should be easy for children to manage when using the toilet, have adequate sun protection and be warm enough as needed. HINT: Layers can be helpful depending on the time of year to allow for cooler mornings
• Don't forget a hat and drink bottle full of clean water for your child each day.
• Footwear like sneakers, sandals or shoes that are easy for your child to put on and remove are ideal. Make sure they are the correct size and fit for them so they can move around and play safely.
• Nappies for young children are required each day so please pack enough every day.
• Children under 3 years of age should have 2 full changes of clothes and extra underwear in their bag. 
• Avoid sending jewellery including necklaces or bracelets to minimise risk to infants and babies. If your child has pierced ears, be sure earring are small and have no sharp points or hanging parts. 
• Put your child's name on EVERYTHING, this includes shoes and socks, jumpers and hats. 
• If your child is bottle fed, please provide your child's feeding schedule and requirements to centre staff or your family day care Educator. 

• Don't forget, if your child has food allergies and requires a special or restricted diet, please speak with your Centre Director of Family Day Care Educator before your child commences. You'll need to have provided supporting medical documents for any disclosed allergies.

• On your first day, be very alert and conscious of children's safety when using the car park and driveway entries and exits. 

We recognise that both our staff and children are vulnerable to infections and ask parents/ guardians or carers to not bring their children to care if they’re unwell.

We may refuse entry to any child or parent, who in the observation and opinion of the Centre Director or Family Day Care Educator, is not well enough to attend or poses a risk to other children and staff.

Please refer to these fact sheets as a guide or talk to your Educator if unsure.  

Certain isolation periods are required after vomiting, diarrhoea and other illnesses, meaning you may need to keep children at home up to 24-48 hours afterwards, or provide a medical certificate of recovery from your GP.