FAQ
We currently take 2 years to 12 years old.
PreKindy/ Kindy 2 to 6 years
Before and After School Care 3 years to 12 years (We deliver & pick up from St Pius X PS and Manning PS).
Holiday Care 2 to 12 years old (We take out of area bookings)
Pupil free days 3 to 12 years (We take out of area bookings as well)
Before and Afterschool Care for Manning and St Pius X Primary Schools
Holiday care
There is no minimum requirement for your child to attend.
Yes, we do offer casual days or sessions. We can only book 2 weeks in advance. Casual days do attract a extra $4 charge (except School holidays, Bsc and Asc bookings). Making a booking today here.
Under Licencing and Regulations, we are required to maintain a minimum of educator to children ratios. These are:
1 x Educator to 5 children (2-year-olds)
1 x Educator to 10 children (3-year-olds and above children)
Example: As we are a multi age group service, at any time we have a 2-year-old on the premises we would maintain a ratio of
1 x educator with 5 children (1 x 2 yrs. and 4 x 3yrs upwards)
1 x educator with the next 10 children, as they are over 3 yrs.
If we were to have 6 x 2 yrs., we would have
1 x Educator to first 5 children (2yrs)
1 x Educator to next 5 children (1 x 2 yrs. and 4 over 3 years)
1 x Educator to next 10 children 3 yrs. and over.
If your child still sleeps, please discuss their routine with the teacher.
We provide a mattress and bedding for your child and we endeavor to follow your child’s routine at home. Our most common question about sleeping is “I don’t know if my child will sleep on a mattress?” It may be daunting for them the first time, however with a calming and soothing environment, you will be surprised how quickly they adjust. The nurturing educators are there to help pat or soothe your child.
Fees are paid through our OWNA App. We accept direct debit via bank (no bank charges) or credit card (fees apply) weekly.
The invoice can be found on your OWNA App and each week on a Monday your invoice will be available. We invoice a week in arrears. Direct debits will come out on the Wednesday for the invoice amount (a week in arrears).
On the app there is provision for a once off credit payment however the credit fee is higher.
Please see the section “Everything you need to know about OWNA” for more information.
A backpack with
- Drink bottle with water
- Morning tea (no nut products)
- Lunch (no nut products
- Full set of extra clothing including socks
- Spare nappies or/and underwear
- Cuddly toy or comforter
- Broad brim hat
- A good rain jacket (No umbrella’s please as safety hazard)
- Broad brim hat (if leaving at school)
- Own sunscreen if allergic to centres sunscreen.
- Change of clothes if required for messy play.
We have several sessions available to suit your family’s needs.
9.00 am to 2.30 pm $83
9.00 to 12.00 pm $63
9.00 am to 6.00 pm $106
9 am to 3 pm $88
7.00 am to 6.00 pm $119
7.00 am to 2.30pm $89
7:00 am to 3pm $93
Casual fee $4.00 applied to Kindy $ Long Day Care sessions term time only.
School Holidays/ Pupil free days $90 Pre-primary upward
$119 kindy and below
Before school care $28
After School Care $38
All pre-kindy / Long Day Care Administration Fee of $50 per family per year.
You can book any session of care on any day.
Example: Monday 7 to 6pm. Tuesday Asc Wednesday 9 to 3 pm
We do alternative weeks (for children in school base kindy programs)
Conon Road Kindergarten & OSCH will pick up and deliver kindy and pre-primary children at both schools directly to and from their classroom.
All other children will meet
MANNING PRIMARY SCHOOL outside the Science room (directly opposite room 7.
ST PIUS X PRIMARY SCHOOL
Stage area (St Pius x)
The children will then walk to and from the schools under direct supervision.
Breakfast between 7 and 8 am
Afternoon tea 3 to 3.30 pm
Lunch to be provided by parents – please see
- Your child will eat what they enjoy.
- Your child will see other children eating foods and ask to try new foods.
- Providing own food is hygienic and limits allergy issues.
- Opening and closing lunch boxes support fine motor skills
- Your child will build up self help skills and be encouraged to look after their own processions.
- Helps prepare them for “big school”
Discuss your child’s needs with the director or teacher. We support “warm up” sessions where you can bring your child in for a few visits, while you stay on the premises.
We suggest where possible 2 half days a week and then build up to full days if required.
We will work with you and your child to support them to settle.
Please see our section on “Settling my child into Childcare”
The government provides a rebate “Child Care Subsidy” to cover the cost of childcare for eligible families.
How do I apply for Child Care Subsidy?
On this site you will be able to find out if you are eligible and how to apply for it.
Once you have applied, you will be notified of your percentage and number of hours.
To claim the Child Care Subsidy, you will need to give Conon Road Kindergarten,
- your CRN number and your date of birth (The parent who has applied for the subsidy) and
- your child/ren CRN number and date of birth.
Then under your “My Gov Acct” and Child Care Subsidy you will be asked to confirm your child’s enrolment. This will then apply the Child Care Subsidy.
Once applied, you will pay the “Gap fee” i.e. Full fee minus the subsidy.
Allowable absences are calculated every financial year. Allowable absences for the financial year are 42 meaning if your child is away, you will still receive the Child Care Subsidy for up to 42 sessions. There are other circumstances where families can apply for more absences. Please see link.
Child Care Subsidy is only paid on their FIRST and LAST day of your child physically attending.
Example 1: Your child is booked for her first day on a Tuesday and she is sick. You will not receive the childcare subsidy and will pay full fees.
Example 2: You give 2 weeks’ notice for cancelling your child’s attendance; however, your child does not physically attend the second week. If you child does not attend another Child Care centre within a 14-week period of cancelling, the Child Care Subsidy will be recouped by the government, and you will be required to pay this back to our service hence full fees for the week of nonattendance. More information can be found at on the above link.
What if I have more than one child in care?
If you have more than 1 child in care, you could be eligible for a higher subsidy if you:
- earn less than $354,305
- have more than one child aged 5 or under in childcare.
More information can be found here.
We understand how overwhelming it can be for both you and your child, especially if it is the first time coming into care. Our educators at Conon Road Kindergarten have a deep understanding of separation anxiety and are here to support both of you through this process.
Separation anxiety is normal for children as they venture into new experiences and places.
First, we need to understand what is happening in your child’s world. Mums and dads are your child’s safe place, providing security and guidance. For children to feel safe they need to build relationships with educators and feel secure in their environment. We recommend lots of “stay and play” sessions before leaving them. Come in and let your little one join in and play, this allows your child to interact with others while knowing mummy is close by.
If your child is enrolled for long day care, it may help your child to begin with half days and then build up. Research suggests extra, shorter sessions per week are more successful than one or two long sessions, as in a child’s world the session takes longer to come around.
Talk about kindy and how they will have lots to do. Focus on their interests and what they enjoy.
Send your child with a special toy or book to share at kindy. Bringing something from home helps to support them to settle. A picture of mummy or some of mummy’s kisses in an envelope helps as well.
Be calm, even if you are feeling overwhelmed yourself.
I know this is difficult, however if you are showing emotion, then your child will perceive that you are fearful of the situation, which will result in them being fearful too. As hard as it maybe, show confidence and your child will perceive kindy as a safe place for him.
Every kindy day, follow the same routine at home and at kindy. Children thrive with routine and knowing what will come next.
Keep goodbyes short and when you have decided to say goodbye, leave. If you say goodbye and then stay, their anxiety will build in anticipation of you leaving soon. Saying “Mummy is going now and will pick you up after lunch” helps your child to understand routines and time knowing that you will come back.
Always say goodbye, even if they are playing and fine or crying. They need to know that mum is not sneaking away and will always come back.
Ring the centre after you have left and find out how they are going. Then you can discuss if you need to come back a little earlier.
Always pick up at the time you discussed with your child, as this builds trust.