Frequently Asked Questions

Enrolling at Greenhills Explorers is easy! Here's the process:

• Book a Tour: We recommend visiting our centre to meet our team and see our facilities. You can book a tour online or call us at 0451 116 391.
• Submit Enrolment Form: Complete our enrolment form with your child's details and your preferred start date.
• Confirm Placement: Once a spot is available, we'll confirm your placement and provide all the information you need to get started.

Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to enquire early to secure your preferred days.

Greenhills Explorers welcomes children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. We have four age-based programs:

• Nursery: 6 weeks - 2 years
• Toddlers: 2 - 3 years
• Pre-Kindy: 3 - 4 years
• Kindy: 4 - 5 years

Each program is designed to meet the unique developmental needs of children at each stage. Learn more about our programs.

Absolutely! We encourage all families to book a tour before enrolling. A tour gives you the opportunity to:

• Meet our friendly educators
• See our facilities and learning spaces
• Ask questions about our programs and approach
• Get a feel for our centre's atmosphere

Book your tour today or call us at 0451 116 391.

To complete your child's enrolment, you'll need to provide:

• Child's birth certificate
• Immunisation history statement
• Parent/guardian identification
• Emergency contact details
• Medical information and action plans (if applicable)
• Centrelink CRN numbers (for Child Care Subsidy)

We'll guide you through the paperwork when you enrol. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Our daily fees are $140 per day for full day care and $75 for half day.

Our fees include:

• All meals (breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea)
• Nappies and wipes (for younger children)
• Sunscreen
• All learning resources and activities

For more information, please contact us or book a tour to discuss your family's needs.

Yes! Greenhills Explorers is an approved provider for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Eligible families can receive subsidies of up to 90% on their childcare fees, depending on:

• Combined family income
• Activity hours (work, study, training)
• Type of childcare service

Use our CCS Calculator to estimate your potential subsidy, or visit Services Australia for more information.

Start Strong is a NSW Government initiative that provides fee relief for families with children enrolled in approved preschool programs.

Our Pre-Kindy and Kindy programs (for children aged 3-5) are eligible for Start Strong funding. This means eligible families can receive up to 600 hours of subsidised preschool education per year.

The amount of fee relief depends on your family's circumstances. Contact us to learn more about eligibility and how Start Strong can benefit your family.

We accept the following payment methods:

• Direct debit (weekly or fortnightly)
• Bank transfer
• Credit/debit card

Fees are billed in advance, and the Child Care Subsidy is applied directly to your account, so you only pay the gap fee.

Greenhills Explorers is open:

Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

We are closed on weekends and public holidays. Our centre also closes for a short period between Christmas and New Year.

Here's what we recommend your child brings each day:

• A clearly labelled bag with a change of clothes
• Comfort item (if needed for sleep)
• Hat (we also provide sunscreen)
• Water bottle
• Any required medication with completed medical forms

Nursery (babies): Please also bring bottles (if bottle-feeding), formula/breast milk, and any specific food items if transitioning to solids.

We provide all meals, nappies, and sunscreen.

Yes! All meals and snacks are included in our fees and prepared fresh on-site. We provide:

• Breakfast (for early arrivals)
• Morning tea
• Lunch
• Afternoon tea

Our menu is nutritionally balanced and follows Australian Dietary Guidelines. We cater to dietary requirements, allergies, and cultural preferences. Please inform us of any dietary needs during enrolment.

We take allergies and dietary requirements very seriously. Here's our approach:

• All allergies are documented during enrolment
• Action plans are kept on file and displayed in the kitchen
• Staff are trained in allergy management and first aid
• Our kitchen prepares alternative meals as needed
• We maintain an allergy-aware environment

Please provide all relevant medical information and action plans during enrolment. If you have specific concerns, contact us to discuss.

We follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the National Quality Framework. Our play-based curriculum focuses on five key 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

Our educators plan intentional learning experiences based on each child's interests, strengths, and developmental needs. Learn more about our programs.

We believe in strong partnerships with families. We communicate through:

• Daily updates: Photos and activity summaries via our parent app
• Regular conversations: Catch-ups at drop-off and pick-up
• Learning journals: Documentation of your child's progress
• Parent-teacher meetings: Scheduled discussions about your child's development
• Newsletters: Updates on centre news and upcoming events

We're always available to discuss your child's progress. Just speak with our educators or centre management.

We meet or exceed the educator-to-child ratios required by the National Quality Framework:

• Nursery (0-2 years): 1 educator to 4 children
• Toddlers (2-3 years): 1 educator to 5 children
• Pre-Kindy & Kindy (3-5 years): 1 educator to 10 children

These ratios ensure your child receives individual attention and support throughout the day.

We understand that starting childcare is a big transition for both children and families. Our settling-in process includes:

• Orientation visits before your child's start date
• Gradual increase in hours during the first week
• Primary caregiver assignment for consistent care
• Regular communication with parents about progress
• Flexible approach based on your child's needs

Every child settles differently, and we work with families to ensure a smooth transition. Our educators are experienced in helping children feel safe and comfortable.

To maintain a healthy environment for all children and staff, we follow strict illness guidelines:

• Children must stay home if they have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or contagious illness
• Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning
• Some illnesses require exclusion periods (e.g., chicken pox, conjunctivitis)
• If your child becomes unwell at the centre, we'll contact you to arrange pick-up

We follow NSW Health guidelines for infectious diseases. If you're unsure whether your child can attend, please contact us.

Your child's safety is our top priority. Our security measures include:

• Secure entry with electronic access
• Sign-in/sign-out system for all arrivals and departures
• Authorised pickup persons only
• Staff-to-child supervision ratios maintained at all times
• Regular safety checks and risk assessments
• All staff have Working with Children Checks
• First aid trained educators in each room

We maintain comprehensive emergency procedures and conduct regular drills with the children.

Yes! All our educators hold relevant qualifications in early childhood education:

• Our Centre Director holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
• Room leaders hold Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• All educators hold minimum Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• All staff have current First Aid, CPR, and Anaphylaxis certifications
• All staff hold valid Working with Children Checks

Our educators regularly participate in professional development to stay current with best practices in early childhood education.