Early Childhood
Professional early childhood care service in Sydney providing a safe and nurturing environment for children to learn and grow. The service is staffed by qualified and experienced educators who are dedicated to supporting children's development and wellbeing.
St Therese Preschool & Long Day Care
96 Cartwright Avenue, Sadleir, NSW 2168
Our Sadleir-Miller Childcare Centre located beside St Therese Catholic Primary School delivers high-quality early childhood education and care programs for children aged 2 to 6. Our Toddler and Preschool Education Programs provide play-based learning opportunities to nurture young children during their formative years. Nutritious meals, nappies and wipes, and a school readiness program are provided.
7:00am – 6:00pm (Monday-Friday)
2 to 6 years old
We are proudly rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standards in all 7 areas!
My name is Anitha Arul and I am the Centre Director of St Therese Preschool & Long Day Care. It is with much honour and gratitude that I uphold this esteemed position. I have 19 years experience in the Early Childhood field and have grown to love this profession more and more. I was a primary school teacher back home in India. I have a Diploma in Children’s Services and a Bachelor of Teaching (0-5) obtained in Australia. I am very passionate to work in this play based curriculum and educate our future citizens, be it our next prime minister, a space scientist or a pedagogical practioner. My optimistic and positive attitude in this field has allowed me to embark and embrace this learning journey together with our young learners. Research has proved the first five years of a child’s life is so crucial and families play a vital role as they are our first and foremost resource pertaining to their child.
At St Therese Early Childhood Service, we continually aim to provide you with the best quality, affordable and flexible education and care, in a stimulating and engaging learning environment. We have great professionals, who all strive to work towards one goal of educating , caring and nurturing your children’s growth and developmental learning. Our strong play based approach in our stimulating environment encourages children to freely explore, discover, imagine, problem solve and become resilient individuals now and in their future.
“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning” – Fred Rogers.
Play is serious business for a child. Another important aspect for my team and myself is working in utmost collaboration and partnership with our families, children, educators and other stakeholders.
At St Therese Early Childhood Service, we promote play based teaching and are committed to provide the highest quality care and education, where by our children develop academic skills and enhance other domains of learning holistically. Throughout my 19 years of this journey I have strived to deliver strong play based pedagogical practices. I am a conceptual and a community leader who takes pride in delivering the needs of the community and developing ways to communicate effectively.
I warmly welcome you and your children and extended families to St Therese Early Childhood Service. You have entrusted us to be part of your child’s life, so let’s work together in partnership and collaboration for the betterment of your children not only academically but spiritually.
“A word or a smile is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul ” – St Therese of Lisieux
Warmly,
Anitha Arul
Director – Early Childhood Trained Teacher
Pricing
Toddler Room
$127
Preschool Room
$122
Our Philosophy
At St Therese Early Childhood Service, we believe that we are founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ, enriched by the gospel. We strive to achieve a “Holistic, all-encompassing” learning environment that is steered by the approved “Early Years Learning Framework, the National Quality Standards and our reflective pedagogical practices”.
Children: We believe children are capable, resourceful and important members of the community. Children’s perception of the world around them is shaped by the experiences and interactions we engage them in. We believe play is an essential method of this engagement as it has a powerful influence on children’s social, physical, emotional and cognitive development. Learning in a play-based environment creates a setting that allows children to “just be” and caters for individualised learning. Our programs are organised to cater to children’s interests, enhance learning and provide meaningful opportunities for creativity, imagination, curiosity and negotiation. We believe play should be both intentional and spontaneous, stimulating, empowering and challenging whilst building upon children’s knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
Environment: The learning environment at the service is shaped by a wide range of factors governed by both nature and nurture. The indoor and outdoor environment is dynamic to engage, capture the interests of our children, stimulate their imaginations and promote creativity. We continually enhance the aesthetics and learning experiences by incorporating natural elements, allowing children an opportunity to interact with the environment as it becomes the third teacher. The service continually fosters this engagement through nature along with sustainable practices, giving children consideration and connection to the natural world around them.
Community: We believe that each child, family and educator are unique and value the diversity that they bring to the service. We continually develop respectful partnerships with both children and families within the context of our Catholic Precinct encompassing the school, parish and local community. Children and families are welcome to participate in the spiritual practices at the service as we believe this creates a community united in the fellowship of the Catholic faith.
Educators: We continually observe and value the processes of inquiry as our children develop new understanding by encouraging them to be self guided, ask questions and problem solve. We value the individual abilities of each child and strive to create a service of excellence through inclusive practices that are reflective in the mission of Jesus Christ. We believe each educator’s culture, beliefs, abilities and language should be acknowledged beyond a recognition of differences and more importantly integrated within our practices. Educators continue to develop this sense of cultural competence by understanding and effectively engaging with children and families across various cultures at the service.
St Therese Early Childhood Service Vision – Developed 30.10.19
Child care subsidy calculator
A majority of the families are eligible for Child Care Subsidy (CCS), which can help in reducing the cost by up to 80%. We've created this Subsidy Calculator to check your eligibility and subsidy amount.
Frequently asked questions
Will the number of children attending OSHC be capped?
Yes, each service is licensed to operate with a maximum number of children based on the physical space available to each service.
Can I swap a permanently booked session for another as a one-off?
No, we are unable to cater to session swaps due to staffing requirements.
Will I be charged for permanent bookings that fall on a public holiday?
No, if your booking falls on a public holiday you will not be charged for this.
I need to terminate my care arrangements, how do I do this?
To cease care, you are required to provide 2 weeks’ written notice. If you are receiving CCS, please note that CCS is not payable for any absences after your child’s last day of physical attendance. Therefore, you are required to attend your last booked day of care to ensure that CCS is paid.
I booked a casual session but my child is unwell, what do I do?
It is important to notify your service via email if your child is not attending a booked session. Please note that as a casual booking, you will not be charged provided that notice is given prior to 5:00pm the day before.
I have a permanent booking but my child is unwell, what do I do?
It is important to notify your service via email if your child is not attending a booked session. Please note that if the absence falls on a day that is booked permanently you will still be charged for the session. For flexible care arrangements, please contact your service to discuss casual bookings.
I need a last minute casual booking, who do I contact?
We recommend that you contact our Customer Service team on (02) 9568 8628 to request a casual booking. Please note that such requests can only be accommodated if the service can operate within the legislated staffing ratios.
Can I make a casual booking?
Yes, your child is welcome to attend on a casual basis dependent on session availability at time of booking. Please email your service to request a casual booking.
Should I enrol even though I may not use the service?
Yes! It is free to enrol with SCECS and you will have peace of mind knowing that if an unexpected emergency arises, your child is welcome to attend our service based on session availability. If your child is not enrolled, you will not be able to use the service regardless of the circumstances.
How do I enrol?
Click here to access our guide to using Storypark Manage. The guide will show you how to enrol and request care.
How do I claim CCS?
To claim CCS you will need to make a claim with Centrelink via this link.
I have never claimed CCS, how do I know what my out of pocket cost will be?
To get an estimate of your family entitlements, use our CCS calculator found under fee information on your service webpage. This will allow you to view how much your gap fee could be.
Will we still be eligible to receive Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
Yes, SCECS is an approved Australian child care provider. CCS is paid directly to SCECS based on family entitlements. Families are required to pay the gap, also known as the out of pocket fee.
My child has a medical condition. Do I need to provide anything?
If your child only attends during Vacation Care you will need to provide the service with their medication for the . The service will require completed authorisation forms and medications prior to attending your first day of care. Please note that medication must be provided in its original packaging with prescription labels attached.
What do I need to bring to Vacation Care?
Your child should wear sun safe clothing, including a hat and enclosed shoes and pack a water bottle, morning tea and lunch. SCECS will provide sunscreen, breakfast, and afternoon tea. Please note that Vacation Care is a nut free environment due to allergies.
What does base fee mean?
Our vacation care fees have a base of $68.00 per day. However, depending on the type of activity taking place there could be an additional charge depending on what is involved. Please check your service program for the total fee for each day. Note: CCS is applied to the total fee.
How do I cancel a vacation care booking?
You are required to provide 7 days’ written notice to cancel a vacation care booking. If you do not provide 7 days’ written notice, you will be charged the full fee including any extra charges (minus any CCS if applicable).
How do I make a vacation care booking?
You must be enrolled with SCECS to attend our Vacation Care program. In order to make a booking, you will need to complete a booking form. The booking form can be found on your service webpage, along with the program. Upon receiving your booking form, the service will confirm in writing whether you have received your requested days.
Will you offer vacation care onsite?
Yes, if there is sufficient demand from families. If the demand is insufficient, families are welcome to attend any SCECS Vacation Care service that is most convenient for the family. Please note that you will not be required to re-enrol.
What is the quality of SCECS vacation care program?
The programs our qualified and experienced teams provide are specifically designed with each child and service in mind – you won’t find the same program at each SCECS service! A new program is carefully put together each vacation period, keeping our programs exciting and new. We offer a variety of fun experiences including games, drama, physical activity, cooking, craft, STEM activities, gardening and so much more.
How will you ensure the safety of our children?
At SCECS, safety of our children, staff and families is our number one concern. The Educator to Child ratio of 1:15 for OSHC services applies in NSW. This ratio means that for every 15 children in an OSHC service, there needs to be 1 Educator available. For example, for 30 children, 2 Educators working directly with the children.Our staff will be supervising at all times to ensure the safety of all. Risk assessments will be completed to ensure that any risks have been mitigated.
Our Statement of Commitment to Child Safety: SCECS is a Child Safe Organisation dedicated to the Protection of every child in our care. SCECS aims to create environments where children’s safety and wellbeing is the centre of thought, values and actions. This framework is underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the rights of Children and aims to ensure that every child’s safety and wellbeing is maintained.
What is the ratio of children to staff?
In NSW, the educator to child ratio is 1:15. This ratio means that for every 15 children that are present, there must be one educator on supervision. However, at SCECS, we have a minimum of 2 staff regardless of whether there are less than 15 children present.
Do you provide breakfast and afternoon tea?
Yes, we provide a range of nutritional, healthy foods for breakfast and afternoon tea. We are guided by the Eat Smart Play Smart (ESPS) manual. Each session, we offer a mix of various in-season fruit and vegetables, wholemeal breads, and cereals, heart-healthy lean protein and low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese. We are an allergy aware service.
What daily routine and types of activities can our children expect?
We work with children and families to develop a new and exciting program each week to ensure that children’s specific interests are captured, making their time at SCECS as fun as possible. SCECS takes a child-centred approach to programming, and provides a mix of educational, play and leisure based programs. We encourage families to provide feedback and suggestions. Additionally, educators also conduct spontaneous activities based on the direction of the children throughout the session.
Do you provide homework support?
Yes, we understand that time at home is precious and to support our families, we set up a well-resourced quiet space and allow time in our afternoon routine for homework. We work together in partnership with the parents to support your child’s homework needs.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I send my child to long day care and preschool?
Educators and psychologists are in agreeance that the single most important period in a child’s development occurs from birth to age six. Evidence shows that participating in a high quality early education program delivers lasting health and educational outcomes preparing children for school and beyond.
What is the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)?
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) describes the principles, practices and outcomes essential to young children’s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to school. It’s part of the Australian Government’s National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care. The framework has a strong emphasis on play-based learning, recognising the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development.Learn more on the ACECQA website
Are nappies provided for babies and toddlers?
Yes, nappies are included for 0-2 year olds. Children of other ages requiring nappies and who are not toilet training, should bring them along to the service.
Do the children receive meals?
SCECS provides breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack (when required).We provide for a qualified onsite Chef catering for each child and providing fresh, nutritious and healthy meals. Meal time is a special time for children and staff to come together and enjoy a diverse range of cuisines.
What are the operating hours?
Our services operate from 7:00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, 50 weeks a year. We’re not open on weekends or public holidays.
Can I join the waitlist if my baby hasn't been born yet?
Yes you can join the waitlist. We will require your baby’s surname and for their first name, write ‘baby’. We also require an estimated date of birth. Once your child is born, please contact us to update your details.
Can you cater for my child's disability?
At SCECS we are an inclusive environment who provides for children with additional needs and is available to every child. For specific advice on how we could best accommodate your child/ren, you should speak with the Director at the SCECS service you are interested in.
When do you start toilet training?
Toilet training usually occurs between ages of 18 months – 3 years. We work in partnership with families to encourage and implement toilet training when you feel your child is ready, based on their individual stage of development and need.
Will my child move rooms when they have a birthday?
Transitions into an older room are based on developmental readiness and availability.
What documents do I need to supply to show my child’s immunisation status?
The following are acceptable to prove immunisation:
- AIR Immunisation History Statement – those that are fully immunised for their age
- AIR Immunisation Medical Exemption Form – those that have a medical reason not to be vaccinated, or
- AIR Immunisation History Form – those that are on a recognised catch-up schedule
No other documents will be accepted and the enrolment cannot be confirmed without one of these.
My child is not immunised - can they be enrolled?
SCECS requires children to be fully up-to-date with their immunisations, or be on a catch up schedule, or have a medical exemption to be enrolled into care. Documentation supporting the child’s immunisation position, must be provided at the time of enrolment. Children who are not vaccinated will not receive the Child Care Subsidy and are not eligible for enrolment.
What qualifications do SCECS OSHC staff have?
All staff employed by SCECS must have a Working With Children Check (WWCC), and our Coordinator holds First Aid in Education and Care Setting, Child Protection and a Diploma of Children’s Services (or is working towards completion). SCECS actively encourages all educators to undertake first aid courses, and offers other professional development opportunities, including traineeships.
Our Locations
1A Kimberley Grove, Rosebery, NSW 2018
135B Brook Street, Coogee, NSW 2034
389 Port Hacking Road South,
Caringbah, NSW 2229
389 Port Hacking Road South, Caringbah, NSW 2229
77 Queen Street, Auburn, NSW 2144
96 Cartwright Avenue, Sadleir, NSW 2168