About Little Gems Childcare Maryborough
Learn, share, laugh and grow – this is what Little Gems Maryborough is all about. A family owned and operated early learning centre, Little Gems Maryborough provides a spacious airconditioned childcare centre with large rooms as well as indoor and outdoor play spaces. Through our “positive guiding technique” we ensure that your child learns in an environment that is engaging and happy. Through interaction with parents and caregivers Little Gems Maryborough provides a safe, nurturing and caring environment – where play, discovery and inspiration are at the forefront of each day.
Meals:
Ensuring your child has nutritionally balanced meals through the day is paramount at Little Gems. We provide Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea. Where we can, children are involved in the process. We have progressive meal times so that the changing needs of our children are meet.
Lockers:
It’s important that each child has a safe place for their belongings – and so lockers are given to each child. This allows parents to know where their child’s belongings will be kept but also allows children to begin to take ownership and care of their own belongings.
Toys:
Whilst children love to bring in their own toys to play with – Our facility is fully equipped with wonderful toys and sensory objects for imaginative and social play. We ask that you keep all toys at home to ensure they are safe and not misplaced or broken. Of course – special comforters are allowed should your child have one. 😊
Policies:
All our policies and procedures are available from the front reception. We encourage you to feel free to review these documents at any time. As directed by the national quality of standards, all our practices and policies are frequently reviewed and evaluated. Ensuring we are exceeding all standards is of the upmost priority at Little Gems Maryborough.
Newsletters:
Communication is an essential component of Little Gems Maryborough. We produce a bi -monthly newsletter which gives families clear insight and understanding to events and day to day updates from our educators. Enriching the relationship and communication between parents and staff is an essential component to ensuring your child’s enjoyment and progress. You can collect a newsletter from the front desk or via email.
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 6.30 am to 6.30 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
• Before and after school care 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 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 nine rooms. We provide care and are licenced for 150 children.
Hours:
6.30 am to 6.30 pm – Monday to Friday excluding public holidays.
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: $118.00 per day
Caterpillars: 6 weeks to 15 months. Ratio 1:4
Toddlers Rooms: $118.00 per day
Lady Bugs: 15 months to 2.5 Years. Ratio 1:4
Jnr Kindy Room: $118.00 per day
Bumble Bees: 2 years to 3 years. Ratio 1:5
Pre Kindy Rooms: $118.00 per day
Dragonflies: 2.5 years to 4 years. Ratio 1:11
Kindergarten Program: $103.00 per day
Grasshoppers: 4 years to 5 years. Ratio 1:11 & 1:5
Vacation Care: $118.00per day
QKFS – All Eligible Kindergarten children who have a health card card and present it to the centre will have a subsidy applied for 10 weeks of every quarter. It is the parents responsibility to update expired Health Care cards or the subsidy will not be applied. This equates to an amount of up to $1,283.00 per year.
Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander – Any families identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander are also eligible for the QKFS subsidy without a Health Care Card. This information is provided on enrolment.
(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.
Before and After School Care:
We cater for school age children with a before and after school care program.
Before school care $30
After School Care $35
* Once we know your CCS percentage we can accurately determine the amount payable, after deducting the government subsidy.
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 two weeks 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.
Storypark:
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.
Contact:
Please call (07) 4123 5440 for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.