Frequently Asked Questions

We don't offer online enrolment because it’s important to experience our centre in person. You will be able to meet the staff and see the children and staff in action. The Director will be available to answer any of your questions and begin to get to know you and your family. They will be able to assist you to begin your enrolment. However you can fill out a wait list application online.

If there are no vacancies you may want to join our waiting list. You’ll be contacted as soon as a place becomes available. You can take yourself off the waitlist by calling 0413 307 933.

Rachel's Place closes for public holidays. If your scheduled day falls on a public holiday, we still need to charge to cover staff costs. This is a sector-standard practice. Early learning professionals are entitled to be paid on public holidays as in other industries. The Australian Government’s Child Care Benefit (CCB) covers up to 42 absence days a year, which includes public holidays. So unless you exceed this quota, you will be eligible for the CCB discount on public holidays.

Yes, we need to charge for sick days to cover operating costs. This is standard practice across the industry, but we’ll try to arrange a make-up or swap day if we can. The Child Care Benefit will cover up to 42 absence days a year with no documentation and unlimited sick days if you’re able to provide a medical certificate or similar.

Normal fees apply for all absences (including Public Holidays) that fall on a usual day of attendance.

There are two main subsidies offered by the Australian Government for which you may be eligible. These are the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Just speak to Centrelink to find out if you are eligible for either of these subsidies and to what amount.

The CCS is a payment provided by the Australian Government that covers 24-50 hours of childcare per week. Eligible parents or guardians must:

• Meet Australian residency requirements
• Be enrolled/enrolling in an approved early learning centre, Rachels place is currently under the process of becoming approved
• Meet child immunisation conditions

The amount of CCS you receive varies depending on your income, type of care, amount of care, number of children in care, and whether or not you pass the work, training and study test. This last test is about whether you (or your partner) use childcare due to a work or study commitment. If you do, you could be eligible for higher CCS payments.

Find out more about the CCS. The Australian Government also has a Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Calculator.

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. There are five learning outcomes defined by the EYLF:

• Children have a strong sense of identity
• Children are connected with and contribute to their world
• Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
• Children are confident and involved learners
• Children are effective communicators

The National Quality Framework (NQF) is an Australian Government initiative aimed at bringing consistency to the level of quality of early learning and care across the country in the critical areas of education, health and safety. The NQF provides clearer and comprehensive information for families so they can choose the best services for their child.

There are seven quality standards as part of the NQF. These standards form the basis of how a centre’s quality is rated. The seven quality standards are:

• Educational program and practice
• Children’s health and safety
• Physical environment
• Staffing arrangements
• Relationships with children
• Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
• Leadership and service management

The NQF commenced on the 1 January 2012. Find out more about the NQF.