Frequently Asked Questions
Children can start at Birralee from 2.5 years. However there are only a few spots available each year for this age group.
If you need to terminate your child's enrolment before the end of the year, in accordance with our policies and procedures, you are required to give Birralee 2 weeks notice in writing over which time fees are also due. So please contact Birralee on 9528 6975.
At Birralee Extended Hours Preschool we are very proud of our team who have a variety and an extensive history in the Early Childhood Sector. Lorna Hughes heads up our amazing team as the Director and Owner of Birralee. She has worked in management within Family Day Care and Community Preschools, been a Director at many Long Day Care Centers, and Child Care Advisor for the National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC).
In her role at NCAC Lorna traveled extensively throughout Australia providing presentations and training family day care and outside school hours care in meeting and acceding the standards for quality assurance. Throughout her life Lorna has also had extensive experience working with children with disability. She has also been guest speaker and lecturer at many events, universities and at TAFE and has been awarded an Australia Day Achievement Award for Service to Children. To top it off her passion for childcare goes far and beyond all our expectations and the Birralee Team adores working with her and at her preschool.
The Birralee team, with more than 140 years of combined experience in the early childhood sector, is made up of Jasmin, (our Educational Leader who has a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood and so knows how to turn learning into fun), Josie (who is currently studying for her Diploma and you will find outside creating with the kids), Hannah (also studying for her Diploma and who ensures the all that we do is presented beautifully), Ashleigh (our Trainee who is so close to finishing her Certificate III we can see it!), Marilyn (Certificate III who also has more than 35 years of experience in Early Childcare and is loved by all) and our two permanent casual staff Cheryl (Certificate III who comes with decades of experience and loads of hugs to give) and Elizabeth (Early Childhood Teacher with experience in special needs - you can't help but admire her skill and generosity). They are supported by Miriam who is our Business Manager with a background in the Corporate Communications sector and yep you will find her tucked away tapping at the computer (with the odd little visitor who is keen to help!).
Birralee Extended Hours Preschool is open Monday to Friday, 8am – 4pm, 50 weeks of every year. Birralee is closed for two weeks over the Christmas /New Year Period in December/January. We are also closed on public holidays. Enrolments start in 2017 from Tuesday 10 Janaury and fees are due from this date i.e. whenever the centre is open. We do not charge for public holidays or when we are closed over the Christmas period.
Yes we encourage and welcome visits - that way you can see our centre in action. If possible please arrange a visit by calling us on 9528 6975.
As the first step to enrolling, Birralee encourages families to contact us to arrange a visit to see our centre in action. During this visit you will be able to ask all your burning questions, meet the team get a feel for how our preschool operates. At this time we will also provide you with an enrolment form and other information.
Interested families need to complete and return the enrolment form, along with the child’s birth certificate and immunisation records. A place will be offered based on the date it is received and availability while also taking into consideration families who already have a child at our centre and children who are off to school the following year. Upon an offer of placement, families will be asked to secure their enrolment by providing a $100 non-refundable confirmation fee.
Fees must be paid on the first day of care each week and remain in advance throughout the time your child is enrolled at Birralee Extended Hours Preschool. Payment can be paid weekly, fortnightly, or monthly providing it remains in advance at all times.
If you are unable to commit to this payment policy cancellation of your child’s place may need to be considered and it may result in termination.
If you wish to discuss any financial issues please arrange a time with Lorna Hughes, Director of Birralee.
It is preferred that families pay their fees via internet banking into the following account including reference to your child’s name:
Birralee Extended Hours Preschool Pty Ltd
Bank: ANZ (Sutherland Branch)
BSB: 012 430 Account Number: 465 770 662
Alternatively fees can be paid in cash or cheque by placing an envelope with your child’s name and the amount clearly written on the outside and placed in the fee box located on the sign in table.
If you terminate your place at Birralee then you are required to pay 2 weeks fees from the time of notification (in writing).
We have a daily menu for morning tea and afternoon snacks. At morning tea we provide wide range of fresh fruit and/or vegetables along with gluten free crackers. We also provide health snacks and sometimes we may have an ice block or frozen oranges as an extra treat.
The current daily fee is $75 per day (this is subject to change). This includes morning tea and snacks.
The short answer is 'Yes'. Birralee offers an excellent school readiness program that prepares your child academically, socially and emotionally for the challenges of starting school. We follow the Early Learning Years Framework (ELYF) and use play based learning to extend, develop and nurture your child and their learnings. We document your child's Learning Portfolio using our online Parent Portal and encourage family input and communication. Birralee also has a wonderful relationship with the Primary Schools in our area - so we work together to support Birralee Children as they grow and become ready to transition to BIG SCHOOL. We are always happy to discuss our program and your child's interests, learning and development so please feel free to have a chat to any of the Birralee Team.
The staff ratio at Birralee is at a higher expectation than that of National Quality Standards. We have a maximum of 32 children at Birralee each day and we have a minimum of 5 Educators working with the children at any one time.
If your child becomes unwell during the day staff will call families and ask them to pick their child up as soon as possible/within the hour for the comfort of the unwell child.
Children that are unwell including colds, etc are asked to be excluded from care until they are no longer contagious. This is only fair for all children and families.
Please notify Birralee if your child is unwell and not attending. Your consideration and action to keep your children at home when unwell will be greatly appreciated for all concerned.
Fees are due for days that your child is registered but does not attend. Fees are due all year round except when the centre is closed on public holidays and the official break over the Christmas/ New Year period.
Yes there is. Once you have been offered a place all new families are ínvited to our annual Orientation Evening which is held every November. This event aims to help new families understand how Birralee Extended Hours Preschool operates, what we do to support the learning and development of your child - social, emotionally and academically, what our daily program and routine is about, how we work with your family, and our policies and procedures that are in place to support our Preschool and our community.
The Orientation Evening also gives families the opportunity to ask questions, to meet other families and to get to know the Birralee Team. We will also provide with a Family Information Handbook and a Welcome Pack.
Prior to your commencement date, we also encourage new families come in for a Stay and Play as part of the orientation process. This will give new children a chance to join in on the activities, to take part in the rhythm and routine of our centre, to get to know fellow students and to give both the Birralee Team and the new children and families a chance to start to get to know one another. We just ask that parents/carers stay at Birralee with their child during these visits.
Our priority is to work in with the needs of your family. So we don't have a minimum, maximum or pattern of days a child must attend. Some children who are here every day, while others are here for one day. So let us know what works for you.
Although we have a wait list, we are a small centre and we pride ourselves on being warm and responsive. So you are welcome to fill out an enrolment form whenever it suits you. You are welcome to call anytime to discuss your child and your families needs and when a place may be available. As a general rule it's probably a good idea to contact us the year before you wish them to start.
