If you’re looking for more detail about our centre – including fees, the childcare subsidy, government standards and other common questions – please see our FAQs below. You can also check out our tips for parents on our blog page.
We offer a range of sessions which have varying fees.
On average families expect to pay a gap fee of between $15 – $50 per day for their child’s care.
*Please note, that the exact amount will depend on individual families’ % and hours in their CCS claim.
CCS is a subsidy payment made by the government to assist families to enrol their children into care – with the aim of providing opportunity for early learning for all children, and allowing families access to return to work.
CCS is claimed via Centrelink and is made by putting through a claim. This claim will return a % of fees to be subsidised, and a total amount of fortnightly hours that this subsidy can be applied to.
To learn more, explore eligibility, and apply for CCS for your child’s care please visit the Centrelink website.
After CCS has been applied you will be responsible for the payment of your child’s remaining gap fee. To ensure consistent payment and ease of transaction, Ancora Kids has a Direct Debit Agreement, where fees will be withdrawn from the parent’s chosen account or card on a weekly/fortnightly basis. It is the responsibility of all families to ensure that sufficient funds are available for the agreed transaction to take place (individual banks may hold penalty fees for rejected requests).
Additional payments for casual sessions may be paid on site at your child’s centre. All fees must be made 2 weeks in advance.
Child care fees are paid on a ‘bookings’ basis, where you pay for the allocated spot that your child is taking. If your child is booked into a regular session that falls on a public holiday, you will still be charged for this day.
Child care fees are paid on a ‘bookings’ basis, where you pay for the allocated spot, and booking that your child is taking. If your child is sick on the day of their booked session, you will be allocated an absent day, and still be charged your gap fee for this session.
Every family is allowed up to 42 allowable absences by the government, and will still remain eligible for their CCS.
Child care fees are paid on a ‘bookings’ basis, where you pay for the allocated spot your child is taking.
If your child is sick on the day of their booked session, you will be allocated an absent day, and still be charged your gap fee for this session.
Each family is allowed up to 42 days absent by the government to still be eligible for their CCS.
Our childcare centres aim to provide holistic care, including 3 meals per day: Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea (as well as an additional breakfast before 7am or late snack after 5pm).
We do not provide nappies, or milk – these must be provided by families for their children’s use.
Children require the following for each day of their care:
A backpack to carry all their things, and send things home in (like treasured artwork, or soiled clothing)
A drink bottle
A set of sheets for rest time (a cot sized fitted sheet, and small blanket will suffice)
2-3 spare sets of clothes
Nappies, or spare underwear
A wide-brimmed hat
Children need to be dressed in weather-appropriate clothing (including shoes)
If your child has a special toy or comforter, this can be brought for use when needed – but outside of this, no toys from home are allowed in the centre.
Parents can purchase an enrolment pack for their child for $50.
This pack provides your family with the basics for your child to start attending Ancora Kids:
A backpack
A water bottle
A Tshirt
A drawstring bag (which can be used for sheets, spare clothes, books etc.)
A hat
Children form many safe and secure relationships in their lives, however none as strong as the child-paternal bond. It is completely normal and acceptable for your child to struggle to say goodbye, and they will be supported in this transition every time.
However, Ancora Kids educators strive to create meaningful relationships with your children, so that they feel safe and secure in transitioning into the care environment.
We support parents to make individual decisions on how best to say goodbye to their children, and respect the intimate knowledge that families have over their own child’s emotional security.
However, Ancora Kids do believe that over time children can be supported to have a tear-free, happy transition into care, by implementing the following strategies (tailored to your child’s individual needs):
A consistent drop off routine – try to be regular in the time of drop-off, and how you do it
A honest, caring but quick hand-over – we do not encourage parents or carers to ‘sneak away’, but to be clear and honest about saying goodbye
Talk about the transition – explain what is happening, what is about to happen, then follow through. Eg. “It is time for you to stay at kindy. Mummy is going to say goodbye and go home now. I love you, and I will be back later to pick you up. Have a good day today, bye!” Then leave.
Expect. Acknowledge. Encourage. – Expect your child to be sad, acknowledge their feelings, but encourage them to have a good day, and seeks support from a teacher.
To communicate with families we use a communication app. The app does not replace valuable face to face interactions between educators and carers – but does support this by featuring:
Information about your child’s day such as toileting, nappy changes, meal times, sleep or rest periods.
Individual and group observations and learning stories that document your child’s progress and development with us.
Communications about service events, or important announcements.
Photos and videos of your child
Our service policies, procedures, as well as additional resources for parents and families.
Absolutely! Ancora Kids endeavours to create an environment that is inclusive, supportive and accommodating. We choose to work closely with families from all walks of life, with children who may have individual or special needs.
If your child requires additional support, get in contact. We will meet with you, discuss your needs, our capabilities, what may be required (regarding staff or service training) and how we may be able to best cater for your child. In most cases, we find that our service will be able to provide the care needed, and more!
Even from a very young age children are eager to learn and grow. Their minds crave social interaction, their bodies yearn for physical challenges, their minds crave stimulation. High-quality, early learning environments are able to provide the chance for children to besaturated in these opportunities, and fulfil their potential.
The National Quality Framework (NQF) is the framework within Australia, that aims to provide better educational and developmental outcomes for across long daycare, family daycare, preschool/kindergarten, and outside school hours care.
The National Quality Standards (NQS) are a key component of the NQF and set the national benchmark for education and care practices across Australia. The NQS comprises of 7 Quality Areas that are used to measure and ensure the highest quality care for children:
Educational program and practice
Children’s health and safety
Physical environment
Staffing arrangements
Relationships with children
Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
Leadership and service management
Learn more about the NQF and NQS here.
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) is a key component of the National Quality Framework used within the early years. Australian State and Territory governments, in collaboration with early childhood educators and academics created a framework to guide practice, ensuring that ‘all children experience learning that is engaging and builds success for life’.
It has been designed specifically as a framework, and not curriculum, so that early childhood services have the freedom to develop their own strategies to implement its objectives, based on their community of children, family input and theories of education they hold to.
The EYLF is framed around 5 key outcomes for children, which guide our practice at Ancora Kids:
Children have a strong sense of identity.
Children are connected with and contribute to their world.
Children have a strong sense of wellbeing.
Children are confident and involved learners.
Children are effective communicators.
Read more about the EYLF here.
Ancora Kids services offer a unique and deliberate approach to our environments and programs. In combination with the EYLF, at Ancora Kids we prioritise the following visions into everything we do:
Creating environments, including resources, that will be the best platform for children of all backgrounds to reach their highest potential.
Working deliberately, closely and collaboratively with families in caring for our children. This means regular, honest and empathetic communications.
Challenging our children to reach for their next goals, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, and encouraging them to find moments to grow these every day.
Ensuring that our family of educators are the most passionate and nurturing in the sector – providing them with plenty of opportunities to grow their knowledge, pursue personal educational passions and improve their practice.
Supporting children and families with more than just ‘daycare’. Providing opportunities for meaningful interactions where we can really get to know, understand the needs of, and provide support to families in a holistic and genuine way.
If you’d like to know more about any part of our centres, please get in touch or book a tour.
