River Heights Child Care Centre

Finding childcare: what facilities and services are important to you. What's on offer?

Are the staff fully qualified, and how will they engage with your child and establish a relationship with them? Something else worth asking about is meals and snacks - are they provided, are they healthy, or are you required to supply your own child's meals? Is there structured play time, and what kind of routine will your child follow? What is the carer-to-child ratio? It's worth checking to see what the waiting list is like well before you need to place your child in care.

What is provided to the children?

At River Heights staff are trained in early childhood development and education, have first aid certificates and child protection training. Our staff design programs to reflect your child's individual needs and interests based on the Curriculum Framework & Centre programs are designed to encourage children in all areas of development - social, emotional, language, physical (fine and gross), intellectual and self help.

Meeting the parents - why it's important to build relationships with other parents and socialise your child

Before you enrol your child at the local day care centre or family day care, take some time to find local playgroups and parents groups. Not only is this a good way to socialise your child as they learn and play with others of their age, it gives you the opportunity to meet other parents, and share stories, experiences and advice. Maternal and child health nurses often have parent groups that you can join and meet others, and these often develop into community playgroups run by the parents.

How to prepare your child for their first day of child care

First of all, accustom your child to spending time outside of home and in social situations. Play dates with other children are a good idea. Talk to your child about the upcoming day care in a positive and exciting way, so they know what's coming, and are looking forward to it.

Discussing child discipline with your child care centre

It's also a good idea to ask what your child's day care centre's policies are on discipline, behaviour, sickness and eating or sleeping problems before you enrol your child into the centre.

Finding childcare: what facilities and services are important to you. Where?

Location is important, and there are a number of options. In home care is one option, but not one that is as widely available as family day care or home-based care, where your child is looked after in a carer's private home. It is a flexible solution as some carers can offer overnight or weekend care as well. Long daycare is the best option if your child needs care for the whole day, or for half the day, and there are many approved day care centres that can help here.

Our Philosophy?

Provide a high Quality education Program that is designed to meet the Individual Child's Emotional, Social, Physical & Cognitive needs. Support families through strong partnerships. Provide a warm welcoming environment with Quality interactions between staff, management & families.

Finding childcare: what facilities and services are important to you.When, and for how long?

The first thing to decide is when you will need your child or children looked after, and for how long. Are you after all day care, just a morning or afternoon care, or do your children need care outside school hours? Is it just occasional care that you need while attending appointments? Obviously your choices will also depend on what age your children are. Many child care centres have flexible hours and are open from early in the morning right through to early evening.

Am I entitled to ask about qualifications and background checks?

When you put your child into the care of someone else, it can be a stressful and anxious time. You are essentially entrusting the care of your child to someone you do not know. So is it okay to ask about qualifications and background checks? The simple answer is, of course, yes.

Do you have vacancies for my child?

Yes. We have child care educators and rural long day care centres to take care of your children no matter where you are located.