FAQ

Your decision and choice of Childcare is as personal and individual as your child, so we recommend that you call or contact the Service and arrange to meet with the Director and tour the Service. You will be able to see where your child will be cared for and educated, as well as meet staff and have all your questioned answered so you have confidence in your decision. You will also receive an enrolment pack that has lots of information.

Once you have provided the Service with your Child Care Benefit % (CCB) and Child Care Rebate (CCR) eligibility we will be able to provide you with a quote for your fees.

Cow & Koala provides care for children from 6 weeks to school age, so they can do all their preparation for school with us. It also means that when you have multiple children the turmoil of dropping different aged children to different services and locations is removed.

You need to call Centrelink on 136150 to organise a CRN for yourself and your child, if you do not already have these. You will also need to obtain a Child Care Benefit (CCB) % and ascertain your Child Care Rebate (CCR) eligibility from Centrelink. All this information assists in providing a smooth administrative transition into childcare.

Find out more information about Child Care Benefits (CCB) and Childcare Rebate (CCR) click here.

You will also need to provide an up-to-date Medicare Immunisation Statement as proof of immunisation, or the approved catch-up schedule or medical contradiction form. You can call Medicare on 132011. You can also get a copy through the mygov website by linking your medicare card.

Find out more information by clicking here.

Changes to the NSW Public Health Act 2010 means that from January 1 2018 children attending child care services must have up-to-date for their age immunizations and parents/ guardians must provide current vaccination certificate/ immunisation statement from the Australian Immunisation Register or Medicare.

Children who cannot be fully vaccinated due to a medical condition or who are on a recognised catch-up schedule will still be able to be enrolled upon presentation of the appropriate form signed by a medical practitioner.

Children who are unimmunised for a disease may be asked to stay at home if there is an outbreak of that vaccine preventable disease in a child care center.

Parents automatically receive their child’s AIR Immunisation History Statement in the mail after they complete their immunisation schedule (sometime after 4 years of age).

A copy of their child’s immunisation details can also be obtained at any time by:

• using their Medicare online account through MyGov
• using the Medicare Express Plus App
• calling the AIR General Enquiries Line on 1800 653 809.

Should your child’s immunisation fall behind schedule, your government fee relief may be halted until your child has caught up.

If you have any concerns speak to your medical practioner &/ or call the NSW Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.

The cost of your child’s care will vary depending on the amount of fee relief you are entitled to through Child Care Benefits (CCB) and Childcare Rebate (CCR). You may also be eligible for further government fee relief if you are studying (JET). Call Centrelink on 136150 to ascertain your eligibility.

Remember at Cow and Koala all your meals, nappies and sunscreen is provided.

We provide your meals, nappies and sunscreen, so you need to bring changes of clothes, sleep sheets (and blankets for the colder weather), and a broad brimmed hat. Should your child have formula or breast milk you will need to supply this. The formula needs to be in its original tin/ packaging. Should your child need comfort toys, blanket or dummy pack that too.

Should your child require medication we are able to administer this to your child once the appropriate paperwork has been completed. We do however ask that a commonsense approach is taken in deciding if your child should attend care. An unwell child needs to be at home recuperating and not infecting other children and the staff.

If your child is absent- be it for illness, holidays or another reason, on a day that is their normal booked day, then fees will apply to this day. This includes public holidays as staff costs need to be covered and Early Learning professionals are entitled to be paid for public holidays like other industries.

The Australian Government has 42 allowable absences. This is where they will pay Child Care Benefits (CCB) and Childcare Rebate (CCR) for these days and includes public holiday absences.

Cow and Koala activities are programmed around play based learning and uses the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) to support and enhance the children’s learning. We use the children’s interest to engage them and their friends in activities and further their learning and development.

The EYLF has a strong emphasis on play-based learning and has five learning outcomes:

• 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.

Find out more about the EYLF here or talk to your child’s early learning professional.

The National Quality Framework (NQF) is an Australian Government initiative aimed at bringing consistency to the level of quality of early learning and care across the country in the critical areas of education, health and safety.

Within the NQF there are seven National Quality Standards (NQS):

• 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

Find out more about the NQF here.