Little Gems is a family owned and operated early learning centre at 11 Kingfisher Way, Lowood, Queensland, 4311. We are a purpose built childcare centre that is air conditioned and has large natural play spaces and large rooms. Each child’s needs and interests are built on in a caring and loving environment.
We use the “positive guiding technique” rather than a negative approach to ensure that each child develops in an engaging, happy environment.

Meals:

Little Gems provides nutritionally balanced morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.  Our aim is to have children participation in the preparation of morning and afternoon tea. We also implement a progressive meal time to ensure that we meet the changing needs of the children in our care. This flexibility allows the children to eat when they are hungry and also meet the changing needs on a day by day basis.

Extra Curricular Inclusions:

We provide a wide variety of extra curricular activities. These include:

• Extra curricular to follow soon!

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Toys:

We would appreciate your help in encouraging your children to keep all toys at home as these can be misplaced or broken. We provide natural play spaces and resources to ensure that children are engaged throughout the day. Please bring in special comforters for your child if required.

Policies:

All policy documents and procedures are freely available from the front reception at Little Gems childcare.

Newsletters:

Communication is vital for parents & educators. You will receive a bi monthly newsletter which will include each rooms news and any events and updates from each of the educators. Newsletters help families gain a further insight into the running of the centre, enhancing the link between life and home. It also allows parents to read the newsletter when they can enjoy some quiet time. The newsletter is available via email and from the front reception.

What We Supply:

• Nappies & wipes
• Sunscreen
• Nutritious, well balanced menu that incorporates morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea.

What our centre also offers:

• Open 52 weeks a year – Only closing public holidays and 3 days between Christmas and New years (29th, 30th & 31st of December)
• Opening from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm – 5 days a week
• Current and continuously reviewed policies and procedures to ensure that your child is in the best possible care at all times.
• Queensland government approved Kindergarten program
• Fully Air conditioned
• Qualified and caring educators
• Regular and ongoing training for all educators through seminars, hands on training, one on one training and in service training
• Orientation programs to assist your child entering care and ensure the smooth transition from home to care
• We offer incursions as part of our program and it will include music, fitness and more.

We are licensed by the Office of Early Childhood Education and Care and operate under The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)

Administration:

Little Gems has a spacious layout and six rooms. We provide care and are licenced for 99 children.

Hours:

6.00 am to 6.00 pm – Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. Now closed for the period between Christmas Day and New Years Day.
Please contact the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50 prior to enrolment.  You will need your child’s CRN number and you will also be advised of your CCS percentage and also options for CCS entitlements. All enrolments will need to be confirmed by the parent or guardian prior to the subsidy being applied.
Please note that full fees are applicable until you connect your child with the centre. All families are now required to complete an Activity Test.

We are licensed under the Child Care Act. This centre complies with this Act and upholds all regulations. Further information is also available at Family Assist

Fees:

Nursery Rooms: $120.00 per day
Caterpillars: 6 weeks to 15 months. Ratio 1:4

Toddlers Rooms: $129.00 per day
Lady Bugs: 15 months to 2.5 Years. Ratio 1:4

Jnr Kindy Room: $129.00 per day
Bumble Bees: 2 years to 3 years. Ratio 1:5
Butterflies: 2 years to 3 years. Ratio 1:5

Pre Kindy Rooms: $126.00 per day
Dragonflies: 3 years to 4 years. Ratio 1:11

Kindergarten Program: $126.00 per day – this is prior to quarterly Kindergarten Kindy 4 All Funding, HCC discount or Family Tax Benefit A/B Discount
Grasshoppers: 3.5 years to 5 years. Ratio 1:11

(Please note, this is the full fee rate before you receive your CCS benefit. This will be paid directly to the centre to minimise fees)
We offer two weeks holidays each financial year at a discount of 50% of your out of pocket fees, fees must be up to date when taking holidays for the discount to be applied. There is no discount on public holidays.

Attendance:

Fees are paid for each day that your child is booked into the centre, this includes when your child is absent due to holidays or illness. As per our policies, we also require 2 weeks written notice with withdrawing your child from our centre.

Payment:

Fees must be paid one week in advance to ensure that continuity of care can be guaranteed. Fees can be paid by eftpos, credit card, ezi debit or direct deposit. Accounts are emailed or placed into your child’s pockets each week. It is a parent’s responsibility to pay their fees on a weekly basis.

Enrolment Fee:

A $50 enrolment fee is required to put your child’s name on the waiting list along with the return of enrolment forms.

Paying the $50 does not secure your child the spot and is non-refundable.

Storypark Fee:

This program is part of our documentation and allows better communication between families and staff.  All of your child’s documentation and daily requirements are updated for you to view online at anytime.

Little Gems is a family owned and operated early learning centre at 11 Kingfisher Way, Lowood, QLD 4311. We are a purpose built childcare centre that is air conditioned and has large natural play spaces and large rooms. Each child’s needs and interests are built on in a caring and loving environment.
We use the “positive guiding technique” rather than a negative approach to ensure that each child develops in an engaging, happy environment.