Families
Childcare educators play an important role in every child's learning journey, and we believe strong partnerships between families and educators create the best outcomes for children. At Go Kindy, we work closely with parents and carers to support each child's development in line with their families’ goals.
This page provides information about enrolment, fees, Child Care Subsidy, family communication, centre policies, parent resources and ways to become involved in your child's early learning journey. Whether you're preparing to join our community or are already part of the Go Kindy family, you'll find useful information and support to help you navigate your child's early learning journey with confidence.
We encourage open communication and welcome feedback, questions and involvement from families. Our educators are always available to discuss your child's progress, learning experiences and any support your family may need.
Download HandbookCommunication
Class Dojo is a parent communication app used to communicate with our Go Kindy families.
Families have access to their child’s journey, where they can view daily room slideshows, the weekly menu, and information about their child’s eating and sleeping patterns.
Class Dojo allows Go Kindy to keep parents informed about current and upcoming centre events, medical alerts, and the community noticeboard. Class Dojo is easily translated into over 40 languages.
What You Can Do With Class Dojo
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View your child's daily learning story and room slideshows
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Access the weekly menu
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Monitor eating and sleeping patterns
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Receive updates on centre events
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Receive medical alerts and important notices
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Provide feedback and maintain ongoing communication with the centre team
Parents will be requested to provide feedback throughout the year on our performance, activities and their child.
Arrivals / Departures
Arrivals and departures are an important part of the daily routine and they influence not only the quality of the child’s day but also the quality of the parent’s day. Parents are encouraged to use arrival/departure times as an opportunity to communicate with carers about their child.
To assist smooth drop offs and pickups, parents are required to:
- Leave their child in a Educator’s care when they arrive and ensure that staff are aware when their child is leaving Go Kindy
- Sign in on the QKIDS kiosk on arrival and sign out on departure. The Centre Manager will assist you creating a pin on your first day at the service. This is first and foremost a safety requirement as this documentation is used in the case of an emergency evacuation and maintaining educator to child ratio as per the Education and Care Regulations. It is also a legal government requirement. The government Child Care Subsidy requires accurate records of attendance, as the basis for parent child care payments.
- Advise educators of relevant information concerning your child. These include but are not restricted to:
- An unsettled night;
- Administration of medication prior to arrival at the service
- Request for medication (please complete the administration of medication form)
- Alternate pick up arrangements e.g. a grandparent (these emergency contacts will need to be on our QKIDS software data enabling them to create a pin to sign the child in and out of the service)
- Observe the open and close times of the service
If someone other than the parent is collecting children, the parent must:
- Provide timely advice to management of alternate, one-off pick up and drop off arrangements
- Advise emergency/alternate contacts that they will be required to provide identification
- Advise centre managers and provide copies of relevant court orders
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Go Kindy Management reserve the right to charge a late fee to those families who consistently pick up their children after closing time.
Absences
Parents are asked to report all absences to the Centre Manager or Lead Educator by 9.30am. If your child is sick, please advise us of the nature of the illness, this allows us to assess infectious illness.
Some absences are allowable without affecting payment of the Child Care Subsidy. If a child does not attend the session of care or part of the session of care, the service is still taken to have provided the session and Child Care Subsidy can still be paid, as long as the absence is allowable. An absence is allowable if the care was booked and an individual was liable to pay for that care. A child can have up to 42 allowable absences including public holidays in a financial year, more may be allowable in particular circumstances (due to illness) known as additional absences and requires a medical practitioner certificate.
Withdrawal or decreasing days
When withdrawing your child from the service, or decreasing days of attendance, two weeks notice in writing is required. Full fees will apply if notice procedure is not undertaken.
Fees
Childcare fees are charged on a daily basis and may vary depending on your child's age group, chosen centre, enrolment schedule and Child Care Subsidy (CCS) eligibility. Normal daily fees also apply on Public Holidays and school holidays.
When Your Go Kindy Childcare Fees Are Due
All childcare fees for the week are payable in advance to secure your child’s booked days of care. Families are required to maintain their accounts one week in advance at all times. Prior to your child's first day, secure your child’s spot by paying in full. Paying fees in advance helps us maintain consistent staffing, educator-to-child ratios and high-quality learning experiences for all children.
Fees will be charged as usual if your child is absent due to illness or holidays. When withdrawing your child or decreasing days, two weeks written notice is required.
Payment Methods
For convenience and reliability, Go Kindy's preferred payment method is Debit Success. Debit Success is a secure direct debit payment system that automatically processes childcare fee payments from your nominated account in accordance with our childcare fee policy.
This secure direct debit system allows families to automate their childcare fee payments, reducing the risk of missed payments and making budgeting easier. If you have questions regarding payment arrangements, our Centre Manager will be happy to assist.
Enrolment Fees
Your child's enrolment fee is payable when accepting a position at the centre.
This fee helps secure your child's placement and complete the enrolment process. Your child's position is not guaranteed until the enrolment fee has been received.
Your Centre Manager can explain the current enrolment fee and any associated enrolment requirements.
Family Links
Good for Kids, Good for Life
A NSW community health initiative that provides practical advice and resources to help families support healthy eating, physical activity and overall wellbeing for children. Parents can access information, tips and programs designed to encourage healthy habits from an early age.
Munch & Move
A NSW Government program that promotes healthy eating, active play and reduced screen time for young children. Munch & Move supports early childhood services and families with evidence-based resources that help children develop lifelong healthy habits.
Kids Helpline
Australia's free and confidential 24/7 counselling service for children and young people aged 5–25. Families and young people can access support via phone, webchat or email for concerns including mental health, bullying, relationships, anxiety and emotional wellbeing. ([YouTube][2])
Kidspot
One of Australia's leading parenting websites, offering articles, family activities, recipes, parenting advice, health information and practical tips to support families through every stage of childhood.
Raising Children Network
A trusted Australian parenting resource providing evidence-based information on child development, behaviour, health, learning and family life from pregnancy through to the teenage years. Developed in partnership with leading child health and research organisations.
Red Nose Australia
A leading Australian organisation providing trusted information and support for safe sleep practices, pregnancy, baby loss, grief support and infant health. Families can access expert advice to help keep babies safe during sleep and early development.
Bub Hub
An online parenting community offering information, articles, forums and resources covering pregnancy, babies, parenting, childcare and family life.
MyChild.gov.au
The Australian Government's official childcare information website. Families can search for childcare services, learn about Child Care Subsidy (CCS), compare options and access information about early childhood education and care.
Parent Line NSW
A free telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers. Parent Line provides confidential advice on parenting challenges, child behaviour, family relationships and wellbeing.
Child Care Subsidy Information
Official information from the Australian Government about Child Care Subsidy (CCS), including eligibility requirements, payment rates, activity test requirements and how to apply.
ACECQA (Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority)
The national authority responsible for guiding and improving quality outcomes in early childhood education and care. Families can access information about childcare quality ratings, national standards and approved services.
Parents Partner
A parenting support resource offering practical guidance, family support information and strategies to help parents navigate common parenting challenges and child development stages.
Starting Blocks
An Australian Government resource designed to help families make informed decisions about early childhood education and care. It includes guidance on choosing a childcare service, understanding quality ratings and supporting children's learning and development.
Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
Child Care Subsidy is a regular payment that helps most families cover the costs of childcare. Child Care Subsidy will be paid directly to providers in most cases and passed on to families as a fee reduction.
Need help understanding CCS?
Navigating Child Care Subsidy requirements can feel overwhelming at times. Our team can assist families in understanding the enrolment process, confirming childcare attendance details, and directing them to official government resources for further information.
How are CCS rebates calculated?
Three main factors will determine a family’s level of Child Care Subsidy:
- Family income: the combined adjusted taxable income of parents/guardians
- Activity Test: the participation activity level of the parents/guardians
- Hourly rate caps: that apply to the type of child care service and age of the child
A family’s annual adjusted taxable income will determine the percentage of subsidy families are eligible for.
The number of hours of subsidised care families can access, will be determined by an activity test. The higher the level of activity, the more hours of subsidised care families can access, up to a maximum of 100 hours per fortnight.
Parents whose hours of paid work vary from one fortnight to the next (such as casual workers) can estimate their fortnightly hours of work based on a three-month period.
Once this enrolment process is successfully completed, entitlements can be calculated and payments made.
Can I estimate my CCS online?
The Childcare Subsidy Calculator allows your family to receive an estimate of what CCS percentage and hours you are entitled to per week. These components are means-tested on a family's combined income. Please use the link below to receive your estimate.
How do I apply for CCS?
Where can I find more information on CCS?
Families can call Centrelink about Child Care Subsidy and other family payments on 136 150, Monday to Friday, 8 am-8 pm, including assistance with completing the claim form.
Nutrition
Go Kindy provides morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and late snacks for all children attending care. The meals are prepared by a qualified cook.
The menus are devised in accordance with the National Health Guidelines (Go Kindy will provide each child with 50% of their total nutritional requirements). The Go Kindy Team also consult the Good for Life – Good for Kids government initiative to ensure our dietary requirements for the children attending our services, are based on the latest research on healthy eating.
Drinking water can be accessed by children at any time throughout the day. Meal times create an important opportunity for children to further develop their social and language skills with other children and staff, and to be exposed to the food and eating arrangements of different cultures.
Menu alterations are made for children with allergies and special dietary requirements. Go Kindy is a Nut Free service.
In addition, any food or drink brought into Go Kindy from home must be given directly to a carer for safe storage. Parents are encouraged to raise any specific concerns regarding their child’s dietary requirements with the Centre Manager and to record this information on the child’s routine section on the Enrolment form.
