Childcare in Western Sydney

The first One you talk about – is that at westmead hospital? If so I put my name down on the waiting list when I was about 5 months pregnant and still have not heard anything and my son is now 16 months – so it has been nearly 2 years. I was working as a scientist at westmead so was hoping to send him there as if anything happened at least I would be nice and close to pick him up. It looked really nice – I used to park my car next to the play area and the kids were always having a ball but I think there were only 30 odd places and they were given to single parents first, or kids of aboriginal decent, or kids thought to be in danger…there was a whole list of preferences and I think I was about 5th down as a staff member (not fitting into any other criteria) so general public would be even further down.

No dear this was the one at mount druitt hospital. I did receive a call there to cos i forgot to give them a detail. But the lady there assured me they do have spots for now.

I forgot to add I was asking for 3 days but was flexible and said that I would take less if they were available. I dint know if you would have more luck than me if you were asking for only 1 day?

I forgot to add I was asking for 3 days but was flexible and said that I would take less if they were available. I dint know if you would have more luck than me if you were asking for only 1 day?

The first One you talk about – is that at westmead hospital? If so I put my name down on the waiting list when I was about 5 months pregnant and still have not heard anything and my son is now 16 months – so it has been nearly 2 years. I was working as a scientist at westmead so was hoping to send him there as if anything happened at least I would be nice and close to pick him up. It looked really nice – I used to park my car next to the play area and the kids were always having a ball but I think there were only 30 odd places and they were given to single parents first, or kids of aboriginal decent, or kids thought to be in danger…there was a whole list of preferences and I think I was about 5th down as a staff member (not fitting into any other criteria) so general public would be even further down.

Thought i’d update the thread. Finally me and hubby got the time to go and look around 3 of the centers we researched on.

1st one was located just 2 mins drive from home. It’s on hospital grounds and their first preference is care for staff kids. But they do take other kids upon availability. They didn’t let me have a look around cos the manager wasn’t available but took my form for a waiting list. Only problem here is that they can change your prefered day in the future.

2nd one was the council preschool we selected. It was nice and all but hubby noticed the kids all had runny noses and looked sick or lazed a bit. He’s very particular. They staff there want her to be toilet trained before we send her there. But the center was nice.

3rd one was the ABC center we went to. We noticed that unlike the other 2 centers these ones didn’t have security doors. We just opened the boom gate and walked in. There were staff in the fron but that’s it. The manager who was talking with us seemed nice. The place looked really dark to me but maybe cos it was their nap time. We noticed only 2 kids were asleep and the rest seemed to be doing as they were told. We weren’t showed outside at all. Just told there’s a big backyard. There were 24 kids in one room who are assigned 3 staff. But i only saw 1 staff. The other was the manager who was actually attending to us. So really there was one staff looking after them all. I felt so sorry for those little ones sleeping on the little mattresses on the floor.

I am not sure what to really expect from childcares. Do they provide the same kind of care we mothers provide at home. I am so anxious. Not sure whether to send her at all.

Is everyone here sending their kids to chilcare at all and wat do u guys think?

SO CONFUSED. Anyways 2morow i am making my way to both centers to have a feel for it myself. I think my main decision would be based on hygiene and the staff to child ratio.

At the ABC center i contacted they have told me $32/day after rebates. My only problem is that i am sure next financial year i will be paying quite a lot. Our income depends on the success of our business and this year had been a damn good one. The pros about this place though is that the longer hours. I’ll be sending my little one for 9-3 only but i would love to be able to leave her there if running errands outside hours too. Also as i study via DE i have to attend classes for 8 days in a semester and hubby’s work gets really affected so we were hoping to let her be given full care for 8 days there. Food is a plus too and they did say they will be more then happy to assist her with toilet training.

For the government funded preschool the price is $27/day. That however doesn’t include food which would have been a great help. But not a big issue. Pro is that the price isn’t dependent on our income. Cons is the hours. It’s only 9-3. Still alright but not the best. They did say toilet training might be an issue so i am giving it my best.

I know toilet training is the parents responsibility and i am not being lazy but i am trying and it’s not happening.

So for those who didn’t know heres a good read. Exactly what i was talking about before.

http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/archive/index.php/t-88173.html

So now to decide preschool or childcare.

Im on bubhub also … im shull on there 😀

I didnt know u cood choose between the two???

Preschool would be more educational???

Okay Chaneleve, i’m a teacher and didn’t know that! Primary school teacher though.. I will have to read up. Sounds like a good idea if your little one can get into a preschool younger. Good luck with it.

Hello I work in early childhood education and if you are able to get a place at a government centre take it!!!! They are 100% better they do everything by the book and they are well staffed because they are not trying to make a profit they don’t cut corners they provide quality care and have only the best staff. 🙂

So for those who didn’t know heres a good read. Exactly what i was talking about before.

http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/archive/index.php/t-88173.html

So now to decide preschool or childcare.