The child care program at Annie Dennis is play-based. The staff respond to interests expressed by the children, either through their play or by direct request, and expand on the interests. Family input is also important to help the staff have a deeper understanding of the children’s interests and to acknowledge the link between family and child care.
Rooms
The Centre has 67 child care places, and children are cared for in one of five rooms based on their age
- Possums for children aged 6–14 months, with three staff to 9 children
- Joeys for children aged 15 months–2 years, with three staff to 10 children
- Pandas for children aged 2–3 years, with three staff to 12 children
- Grasshoppers for children aged 3–4 years, with two staff to 16 children
- Rainbow (integrated kindergarten) for children aged 4–6 years, with two staff to 20 children, plus 5 children in sessional kindergarten
Family grouping is used at the start and end of each day. From 7.30am–8.30am, all children are together in the Grasshoppers’ room. From 5pm–6pm, Possums, Joeys and Pandas are together in the Pandas room; and Grasshoppers and Rainbow children are together in the Grasshoppers’ room.
In addition, children who have siblings in another room at the Centre are welcome to visit them during the day.
Hours
The Centre is open 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
Fees
As of January 2012, the fees are $93 per day. Many families are eligible for Child Care Benefit which helps reduce the daily fee, along with the Federal Government 50% rebate.
For information on benefits and rebates
- Australian Tax Office or tel 13 28 61
- Family Assistance Office or tel 13 61 50
