Before & After School Care

It's not usual these days to have both parents working so we understand the stress Mums and Dads are under to not only be a good parent but also a good provider. Choosing the right before and after school care can make a world of difference to not only the child, but also the parents and life at home in general.

We understand where to send your child before and after school is a big decision so we know you'll have lots of questions. Below are the answers to some of the questions we are asked most often about our Before & After School, and Vacation Care.

Your top questions answered about Before & After School Care / Vaction Care

What age must my child be to attend 'Before & After School Care' and 'Vacation Care'?

We cater for children aged from 5 to 12 years.

How will my child get to and from school?

We provide bus transport to and from school so there is no need to worry.

Do you have a separate educational program for After School Care?

Yes, we ensure all our educational programs are age appropriate and designed to assess the strengths and challenges of each child as well as develop and refine those skills. These experiences and opportunities are structured into a routine but also provide choice and flexibility for all children in our care.

When does 'Before & After School Care' and 'Vacation Care' operate?

Before & After School Care operates during government school terms Monday to Friday.

Vacation Care operates during government school holidays Monday to Friday, between the normal Long day care hours of each centre.

Times may vary slightly between centres so check with your local centre.

Do you provide meals?

We provide all meals and your kids will love 'em because they're tasty and you'll love 'em because they're nutritious.

How nutritious are the meals you provide?

Good nutrition is vital for growing kids, so Kids Korner employs a full time cook who holds qualifications in Nutrition and Menu Planning and Safe Food Handling. All our snacks and meals are freshly prepared in our own fully equipped kitchen.

We use only quality ingredients; lean meats and chicken, fresh vegetables and fruits with the minimal amount of processed or frozen foods. We do not use frozen packaged meals that are re-heated.

The centre provides breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late afternoon snack. We recognise babies and children's likes are different to adults and our menus are specifically designed to reflect children's food preferences, providing child friendly foods. In addition to taking children's likes and dislikes into account, our menu is designed to meet 70% of the children's total daily nutritional requirements.

The menus change regularly and displayed on the board at the front foyer and other locations in the centre check with our staff for details. (samples menus?)

What about special dietary requirements?

Specific dietary requirements are happily catered for and can be discussed at enrolment.

Are your staff fully qualified?

We employ a range of qualified staff from University Trained Teachers with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), TAFE graduates with a Diploma of Community Services (Children's Services), Certificate 3 in Children's Services, plus Trainees who work closely under the supervision of our Centre Directors and Room Leaders.

All our staff members are screened through a Working with Children Check, carried out by the Commission for Young Children.

Are your staff fully qualified?

We employ a range of qualified staff from University Trained Teachers with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), TAFE graduates with a Diploma of Community Services (Children's Services), Certificate 3 in Children's Services, plus Trainees who work closely under the supervision of our Centre Directors and Room Leaders.

All our staff members are screened through a Working with Children Check, carried out by the Commission for Young Children.

What is the child to staff ratio?

All our centres, without exception, operate at above the recommended staff to child ratios.

Who owns and operates Kids Korner?

Kids Korner is a privately owned and operated in accordance with strict government regulations.

Our management committee has more than two decades experience in the childcare industry and conducts regular weekly audit visits to each centre. In addition, each facility has a highly qualified and specially appointed Authorised Supervisor to manage each centre and staff on a daily basis. This combination of continual auditing together with highly qualified and experienced staff ensures Kids Korner is able to maintain the highest levels of care at all times.

Tell me about Kids Korner's approach or philosophy

Because every child is unique we aim to provide an environment where children's eagerness and curiosity is fostered; creative thinking is encouraged; and where children can make choices and are allowed time to reflect and explore, encouraging their sense of self.

We provide a warm, friendly, safe, healthy and educationally sound environment in which all children are treated as equals regardless of gender, race or ability. We provide the best possible learning environment where children can develop to their full potential.

Developmental ages and stages are catered for through appropriate learning programs and experiences. Our programs reflect diversity in culture and gender, promoting a happy and accepting environment for all children regardless of religion, culture and family backgrounds.

What is the waiting period for a placement?

The waiting list is kept in order of the date of application and is updated once a year. If you do not return the updated wait list form, when it is sent to you, your name will be removed from the waiting list and we will assume that your child no longer needs care. We suggest to families to contact the centre six (6) to eight (8) weeks prior to your required start date to confirm a placement.

Enrolments are offered according to the Priority of Access Guidelines set by the Australian Government. Details are on the Wait List form.

Details for each child are recorded on a whiteboard in the kitchen.

How do I claim the Child Care Benefit (CCB)?

Now your child is starting Child Care you need to register and be assessed for Child Care Benefits (CCB) with Centrelink. Ensure that Family Assistance Office (FAO) has submitted a CCB Eligibility Assessment for your child. Once completed, we ask that you provide us with your CRN number and your child's CRN number as this will allow us to formalise your enrolment and to receive the CCB percentages for your child.

Calculating your daily fee is done by a formula set by the FAO which will advise you by letter or over the phone what percentage you will receive off childcare fees. What they don't tell you is that percentage is off their schedule daily fee for childcare. It's similar to the Medicare system - there is a schedule fee and then the actual fee.

Our administrator staff can give you an estimate of what your daily fee will be, if you know your Child Care Benefit percentage. The telephone number for the Family Assistance Office is 13 61 50.

How do I claim the Child Care Rebate?

Families should contact their tax agent or the Australian Tax Office for details of the 50% Child Care Tax Rebate. Kids Korner will issue yearly receipt statements for this purpose.

Do you have further questions?
…See our ADDITIONAL INFO FOR PARENTS & CARERS or call your nearest centre (see contact page) and talk to one of our qualified staff.