FAQ'S (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

What is the difference between Early Learning Centres and Kindergartens?

This is a question that has varying responses as each Centre brings its best in providing a nurturing, safe and caring environment.  For CURIOSITY, our Centre offers an 'educational' program that runs with similar features to a typical local kindergarten but offers the convenience of families to have their child in the same space for early and later pick up.

This is why you will notice that our fee structure is broken into 3 different sessions which allows our families to have the flexibility to nominate if they require the 'Before or After Program' Care.  This feature also allows parents who do not need access to this care the financial freedom to not have to pay for care that they are not accessing.

CURIOSITY ELC is here to support the educational learning journey's of our children and to provide support to our families in creating one place for children to receive the care they need whilst in an educational environment.  We are confident that you will see this as we launch in 2020.

What will a typical day look like at CURIOSITY ELC?

A typical day at CURIOSITY ELC will involve many opportunities for creative inside and outside play based on the inquiry questions of our children.  After a time to settle in on arrival, your child will spend time with their friends in a relaxed space and then gather for our Morning Meeting where we will have a time of welcoming each other and spending time in Devotion.  Devotion's involve spending time focussing on God, learning of the wonderful things of God through the Bible, song  and prayer.  We will then plan our day together with a visual chart and commence our morning project work. Project work will differ depending on what interests your child has.  Some projects will involve smaller groups of children and others we will experience as a Centre.  The Educators at CURIOSITY will take great care in listening to each child's voice to enable wonderful learning experiences that ignite curiosity, wonder and awe.  Each day, groups of children will participate in Creative Arts and Movement sessions and visit the Library for an immersion and borrowing session weekly.  Eating times will always be done in groups to promote social behaviour and conversation amongst the children and educators.  In the afternoons, we will gather for a 'yarning time', where we will meet in small groups to discuss the wonderful learning plus the highs and challenges that this can sometimes bring.  This will then set your child up to have a fantastic time in the car as you drive home listening to all the experiences they have had throughout their day.  We will be promoting independence by having routine end of day pack ups to ensure that we are ready for our important person to pick us up at the end of our session.  If your child is staying with us for 'Afternoon Delight' (After Program Care) we will join for a light snack and then explore play experiences together based on the children's interests for that day.

Can I apply for the Child Care Rebate before my child attends CURIOSITY?

If your child has not been in care before, it is important that you begin the process of applying to ensure that you have everything ready to go before next year.  This will ensure that when you are invoiced for your first two weeks fees that the Child Care Subsidy is taken into account.  Centrelink will back pay up to 28 days but nothing beyond that so best be prepared.  If you go into your MyGov accounts and click on Centrelink all the information including 'help sheet's are there for you.

Please also note that if you are attending two Childcare Providers that you will only receive the Child Care Subsidy for one service.  If this means that you need to add extra days to your CURIOSITY booking then please let Jacqui (Director) know before December to ensure that we are covered with staff to child ratios.  You will need to nominate what service you are requiring the CCS to be billed against through your Centrelink portal.

Keeping in Touch

It's been wonderful meeting all our families over the past few weeks at our 'Meet & Greet' sessions.  Please know that no question or query is insignificant if it supports your preparation in your family joining our community at CURIOSITY.  We are here to support you so please contact us with any questions.

For further enquiries please feel free to contact:

Jacqui Gliddon

Director:  CURIOSITY ELC at Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Para Vista

Email:  curiosity@gspv.sa.edu.au