FAQs

 

How much does SDN child care cost?

As a not-for-profit organisation we keep our fees as low as possible. Comparative analysis with neighbouring centres shows that SDN’s fees are generally lower. SDN reinvests all profits into the quality of our services. Fees can vary between SDN centres because of their different staffing levels and rental costs. Please contact each centre directly to find out about costs and vacancies. Click here for centre locations and contact details.

How can my family get the Child Care Rebate or the Child Care Benefit?

In Australia, long day care centres and preschools have different funding structures. Some families with children in long day care centres will be eligible for fee subsidies from the Federal Government. However, preschools are subsidised by each State Government. This causes variations in cost.

Preschools fees are generally lower, but few families are covered by a rebate. So for most families the final costs of long day care centres and preschools are generally similar.

The Australian Government offers two types of financial assistance for child care:

  1. Child Care Rebate
  2. Child Care Benefit

Even if you don’t receive the Child Care Benefit, you may still be eligible for the Child Care Rebate. It’s well worth checking this out – especially if you have work, study or training commitments at some stage during the week.

The Child Care Rebate:

The Child Care Rebate (CCR) is a payment from the Australian Government that helps working families with the cost of child care. If you are using approved child care for work, training or study-related reasons the Government will provide you with 50 per cent of your out-of-pocket child care costs up to the annual cap. From 1 July 2011 the CCR annual cap is $7,500 per child per year.

From July 2011 you have the option to receive your CCR paid fortnightly, either directly to your bank account, or through your child care service provider as a fee reduction. You still have the option of having your CCR paid quarterly or annually as a lump sum directly to your bank account.

Call the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday for more information.

The Child Care Benefit:

Child Care Benefit is a payment made by the Commonwealth Government through the Family Assistance Office (FAO) at Centrelink to families to assist with the costs of child care. All Australian residents using child care provided by approved child care services are eligible for Child Care Benefit (CCB).

 Contact the FAO on 13 61 50 and request a Claim for CCB for Registered Child Care form and to find out if your family meets the eligibility criteria.

 CCB is paid for up to 42 allowable absence days for each child per financial year.

 Allowable absence days can be taken for any reason;

  • illness
  • non–immunisation
  • rostered days off / Rotating shift work—a letter from your employer is required
  • temporary closure of a school or pupil-free day
  • public holidays
  • periods of local emergency
  • court-ordered shared custody.

Please note:

  • Families are responsible for submitting all necessary documentation to their child care centre to ensure the Child Care Rebate and/or the Child Care Benefit can be claimed.
  • Full fees are charged where the Rebate or Benefit has not been confirmed, or where eligibility criteria have changed.

What are the opening hours of SDN centres?

Most of our centres are open from 7:30am to 6:00pm.

SDN Glebe is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Our Crookwell and Batemans Bay preschools are open from 9:00am to 3:00pm.

Please check the opening hours of the SDN centre/s in which you are interested by clicking here.

How do I check if there are vacancies at my nearest SDN centre?

Please contact the centre directly to see if there are current vacancies. Click here for centre locations and contact details.

How do I enrol my child at an SDN centre?

To submit an online waiting list application form click here.

If you would prefer to send us a hard copy of your application form click here and forward the completed form to our head office by one of these methods:

  • fax it to 02 9213 2489
  • post it to SDN Head Office, PO Box 645, Broadway NSW 2007.

We will forward your enrolment form to the centre/s you have requested.

The centre/s will then contact you within a few days. If you would like a more immediate response please phone the centre directly. If they have a vacancy they will begin the orientation and enrolment process. If they do not have a vacancy you will be placed on a waiting list. You will be notified about where you sit on the waiting list, and updated as vacancies arise.

If you have any further questions about enrolment or the waiting list please contact your local SDN Children’s Education and Care Centre directly.

What should I do if the SDN centre closest to my home does not have vacancies?

There are 23 centres across NSW and ACT. Twelve SDN centres are located within the Inner West and Inner Sydney area. If the SDN centre closest to where you live is full we may have vacancies at another centre nearby, or there may be an SDN centre with vacancies on your way to work.

I’m thinking about moving my child from a long day care centre to a preschool. What are some of the factors I should consider?

Every SDN centre offers a Preschool Program that is taught by an experienced university-qualified teacher. SDN’s curriculum is based on the new national framework, the Early Years Learning Framework, and supported by educational principles developed by SDN’s highly-qualified teachers. In addition, SDN gives parents something that dedicated preschools cannot: the flexibility of full day care throughout the year. Most SDN centres are open from 7:30am to 6:00pm, 50 weeks per year.

SDN’s preschool program:

  • Ensures preschool aged children receive the educational preparation they need for school.
  • Is incorporated into a long day care setting for children between the ages of three and five.
  • Is based on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), Australia’s first national curriculum framework for early childhood education.

For more on SDN’s preschool program.

What makes SDN different from other child care centres?

SDN early childhood education
  • We are one of the few providers that employ university-qualified teachers in every one of our centres.
  • We run highly regarded educational programs in a long day care setting.
  • We have also developed our own SDN Curriculum Principles, based on a range of contemporary early childhood research perspectives and philosophies.
Higher standards of care
  • For many years SDN has operated a 1:4 staff-to-child ratio for children from birth to two years.
  • We support all children as competent learners from birth.
  • We are inclusive and respectful, and include children from all backgrounds and all abilities.
Value for families
  • We pride ourselves on delivering excellent services at a competitive price.
  • As a not-for-profit organisation we keep our fees as low as possible. Comparative analysis with neighbouring centres shows that our fees are generally lower.
  • We always invest any surplus from fees back into the quality of our services.

What if I only want occasional care for my child?

SDN child care centres that operate occasional care include SDN Glebe and SDN Crookwell in regional NSW.

If your child is already enrolled in an SDN centre you may be able to include additional days of care – but this is subject to availability. If you’d like to ask about this possibility please contact your centre directly.

My family and child would benefit from additional support services. Does SDN have assistance for this?

Inclusion is one of SDN’s core values, and underpins our commitment to inclusion support and early intervention work.

We understand that some children have additional needs. SDN is committed to providing the support your child needs to ensure that children and families have access to services they need.

Children needing additional support may include children with disabilities, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with refugee status, and children who are Aboriginal or from a Torres Strait Islander background.

SDN has programs to support families, children, other children’s services providers and Aboriginal families and children.

Click here for information on all of our programs.

What should my child bring along when attending an SDN child care centre?

Each day, all year round, your child needs:

  • A small/medium sized back pack – so all belongings remain together in the locker provided.
  • A sun hat – for outdoor play all year round.
  • Elasticised pull-on pants – easier to manage than pants with buttons, buckles and belts. They will also encourage your child’s independence.
  • Practical shoes – important for your child’s mobility. Wearing thongs or gum boots inhibits running and climbing.
  • A few changes of clothes – in case of wet clothing and/or unexpected changes in the weather.
  • Families of infants and toddlers also need to provide daily supplies of: nappies, clean bottles (labelled) – one per feed and milk/formula.

Should my child be immunised?

In accordance with the National Immunisation Program Schedule (valid from 1 July 2007), all children from the age of six weeks should be immunised.

If your child is immunised:
  • please bring your child’s immunisation record book to the centre after each vaccination to ensure our records remain up-to-date.
If your child is not immunised:
  • They may be enrolled at an SDN centre – but if a vaccine preventable disease breaks out they will be excluded from the centre until it has passed.
  • We will need you to provide us with documentation from your doctor about your conscientious objection, for our records.

What are the menus and nutrition programs like at SDN centres?

All menus at SDN centres are carefully planned to ensure they provide children with at least 50 percent of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of nutrients essential for children’s growth and development.

The food we provide to children is at all times consistent with the Food Act 2003 (NSW), and Nutrition Australia’s Healthy Eating Pyramid.

We respect the food preferences of children and their families. Specific dietary requirements are adhered to and managed by staff in accordance with our Dietary Requirements Procedure.

All SDN centres are nut-free environments.

Once my child is enrolled in an SDN centre, how will I find out the latest news from the centre?

We encourage you to discuss your child’s day with your child’s Educators every day that your child attends.

Other avenues of communication between centres and families include:
  • newsletters
  • a daily diary for you to check out – with photos and stories about the experiences children are involved in each day
  • communication books – available in each room
  • children’s individual Journals
  • sleep/meal charts
  • meetings – held throughout the year.

Please check out your child’s sleep/meal chart at the end of each day.

Meetings give you opportunities to meet with teaching staff. They are also a forum for discussing educational components of the program.

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