FNQ’s best childcare centres offering pre-kindy, kindy, vacation care and outside school hours care
Fees, facilities, availability and staff experience, here is everything you need to know about FNQ’s top childcare centres. Plus an interactive table listing the highest rated centre close to you.
Cairns
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PARENTS of preschool age children are facing a costly dilemma — send their children to childcare and brace for half their household income to fund that choice, or care for them at home but at a potential cost to career and social cost to their children.
Let’s assume you choose the former. The next task is selecting a childcare centre that meets your needs, passing your careful scrutiny, and satisfying lingering anxieties.
This task can be daunting, especially for first-time parents.
You want to know that your child will be nurtured by safe hands, experienced minds and empathetic hearts.
Ultimately, you want to know that your child’s experience in care is worth your investment.
Benjamin Balk, founder of KindiCare, and his wife Julini Halim-Balk were exhausted by this same dilemma.
“While trying to compare childcare centres for our daughter, my wife said ‘surely it can’t be this hard’.
That’s when I realised the business opportunity for KindiCare,” said Mr Balk.
KindiCare is an intermediary “specifically developed for the early childhood education and care market”.
It connects parents with suitable early education and care centres and provides resources for comparing centres to determine the best fit.
Included in KindiCare’s resources is a yearly ranking according to their independent rating system.
“The KindiCare Rating uses over 350,000 data points to rate an early learning service,” said Mr Balk.
“This includes … current and historical assessments and ratings … under the National Quality Framework as well as more than 175,000 market reviews and opinions of early learning centres by families.
“When families narrow down their shortlist, it is very important they visit the centre and meet the director and educators to understand the curriculum, culture and learning environment to make sure it’s the right fit for their kids.”
The following centres earned the top 10 spots for FNQ according to KindiCare’s ratings. Here’s everything you need to know about them.*
Scroll to the bottom of the page to find a complete ranking of all centres in FNQ by postcode.
9 (equal). PCYC MAREEBA OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE
Location: 136 Walsh St, Mareeba
Opening hours: 6.45am – 8.45am (before school), 3.00pm – 6.00pm (after school)
Services offered: before and after school care, vacation care
Fees: $17.50 – $21.50 per day (before school care, after school care), $57.50 per day vacation care
Availability: yes, few spaces available
KindiCare rating (category): 8.90 (very good)
PCYC Mareeba OSHC has access to a variety of facilities that allow for a diverse suite of activities.
Its spacious hall facilitates large-scale play and its downstairs area is suitable for children who prefer quieter activities, such as art.
Co-ordinator Tiffany Philp says relationship building with children and parents is a key component to operational success.
“We have a team on the younger side and I really feel this helps us better understand our children as there are crossover hobbies and interests.
“Our strengths lie in our amazing kids and we regularly seek input and ideas on activities.”
Ms Philp acknowledges her centre’s recognition by KindiCare comes as a pleasant surprise but attributes it to the hard work of her team.
“With our booming numbers, this great feedback, and help from our fabulous parents and staff, I think … makes our centre unique.”
9 (equal). CHILD’S WORLD (BP4)
Location: 2 Borrowdale Cl, Bentley Park
Opening hours: 6.30am – 6.30pm
Services offered: before and after school care, vacation care; early learning and care, including kindergarten program, for children aged six weeks to 12 years
Fees: $122.00 – $123.00 per day (nursery to prekindy, kindy), $34.00 – $40.00 per day (before school care, after school care), $117.00 per day (vacation care)
Availability: yes
KindiCare rating (category): 8.90 (very good)
Child’s World BP4 believes in offering fun, inviting, and diverse opportunities for families and children, and cultivates a play-based learning environment.
It has rooms for nursery and school-aged care, staffed by educators with more than 10 years industry experience.
“Most staff have been here for the last five to 10 years. We consider our children and families as part of our family,” said centre director Sarah Riley.
“Our service provides all meals, nappies, excursions, dancing and PE lessons. We also offer a swimming lesson program.
“We continuously look for ways to improve and provide the highest quality care to all within our community.
“Our educators feel very privileged and excited to be recognised for their hard work and dedication.”
8. FIRST GRAMMAR EARLY EDUCATION CENTRE FRESHWATER
Location: 237-239 Kamerunga Rd, Freshwater
Opening hours: 6.30am to 6.30pm
Services offered: early learning and care, including a kindergarten program, for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years old
Fees: $117.50 – $123.50 per day
Availability: yes, open for enrolments
KindiCare rating (category): 8.91 (very good)
First Grammar Freshwater prioritises fostering a supportive community in addition to its conventional services.
This includes monthly breakfasts for families, Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day events and celebratory afternoon teas.
Its team of educators are qualified at diploma level or higher; their tenure at the centre ranges from one to 10 years.
“I am of the belief that the first five years of a child’s development shouldn’t be rushed,” said centre manager Yvonne Pitcher.
“Our centre has terrific connections with the community, which broadens the learning opportunities available to children, including local tennis lessons and regular excursions.
“We focus on the child’s development rather than age when transitioning children between rooms. I want children to thrive … and they need to be in the right environment to do that.”
6 (equal). CAIRNS HINTERLAND STEINER SCHOOL
Location: 46 Boyles Rd, Kuranda
Opening hours: 8.00am – 4.00pm
Services offered: kindergarten for children aged four and five years old
Fees: $3921 – $5012 per annum including levies ($75.40 – $96.38 per week)
Availability: yes, few spaces available
KindiCare rating (category): 8.94 (very good)
There are many things that make Cairns Hinterland Steiner School great, according to early childhood co-ordinator Shelley Pollard.
The school sits on 40 acres of rainforest land and its learning routine is guided by the seasons and local environment. Practices such as storytelling, song and exploration of the natural world provide the foundation for literacy and academic curriculums, taught by the centre’s staff who are all on permanent contracts and have access to Steiner’s international network of mentorship.
“We work to create a homelike environment; the same two educators remain … with the same group of children throughout the year, sometimes for two years,” said Ms Pollard.
“We cultivate a love of learning in a safe, beautiful and nurturing environment where childhood itself is guarded and unhurried.”
6 (equal). KEWARRA BEACH EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
Location: 11/13 Cottesloe Dr, Kewarra Beach
Opening hours: 6.30am – 6.30pm
Services offered: early learning and care, including a kindergarten program, for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years old
Fees: $130.50 – $136.50 per day
Availability: yes, open for enrolments
KindiCare rating (category): 8.94 (very good)
The majority of Kewarra Beach ELC’s staff are permanent with industry experience ranging from one to 10 years.
“Many of the team members have been with the centre for four years or more,” said centre manager Maria Patterson.
“This allows for a strong consistency of care for children and families.”
Ms Patterson said her ELC values inclusion, which was influential in the development of its curriculum and centre practices.
“We have a strategic inclusion plan that outlines our inclusion practices and the extra support we provide for families and children in need.
“Our team takes time to get to know families through interactions … to ensure the care, education and support is meeting their needs and expectations.”
5. OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS – EARLVILLE OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE
Location: 18 Balaclava Rd, Earlville
Opening hours: 7.00am – 8.15am (before school), 2.30pm – 6.00pm (after school)
Services offered: before and after school care, vacation care
Fees: $17.00 – $25.00 per day for full-time positions, $30.00 per day for casual positions
Availability: yes, few spaces available
KindiCare rating (category): 9.00 (excellent)
Our Lady Help of Christians School’s OSHC is another centre with access to school facilities and spacious outdoor areas for children attending before and after school care.
“We are honoured to be recognised as a top centre in FNQ. It is a testament to the quality care and program provided to our families,” said Catholic Early Learning and Care director Alison Forster.
“We have Diploma and Degree qualified staff at the centre and our casual educators bring value to our team – they are often university students studying in education or related fields.”
Ms Forster said the capacity of her staff to know and respond to a child’s individual needs was pivotal in operating a quality care centre.
“Families also need to be sure their child is safe and happy at OSHC and vacation care. We like to form strong links with families to ensure the best outcomes.”
3 (equal). GOODSTART EARLY LEARNING KANIMBLA
Location: 54 Beatrice St, Kanimbla
Opening hours: 6.30am – 6.30pm
Services offered: early learning and care, including a kindergarten program, for children aged zero to five years old
Fees: $116.50 – $132.00 per day
Availability: yes, few spaces available
KindiCare rating (category): 9.04 (excellent)
Goodstart Early Learning at Kanimbla is a big, spacious centre with 40 permanent staff who have more than six years average industry experience, several of whom are also qualified at bachelor level in education.
“We’re very excited, honoured and proud to be recognised in our community as a leading childcare in Cairns,” said centre manager Cherena Terrell.
“Our vision is ‘every moment matters’ and it’s our goal to make a difference in the daily lives of all the children in our service.
“In our experience, being supportive of children and their families and building trusting relationships from the first day they enter our building makes our families feel good knowing their children are in good hands.”
3 (equal). MOUNT SHERIDAN EARLY EDUCATION CENTRE
Location: Corner Kangaroo St & Robert Rd, Bentley Park
Opening hours: 6.30am – 6.30pm
Services offered: early learning and care, including a kindergarten program, for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years old
Fees: $116.50 per day
Availability: yes, open for enrolments
KindiCare rating (category): 9.04 (excellent)
Mount Sheridan Early Education Centre is a small, boutique space with newly renovated facilities such as its playground.
Its educators design the curriculum around the interests of their children with the aim of empowering them to become independent learners.
“Our team tenure ranges from 1 to 16 years, with that wealth of knowledge and experience shining through in the high-quality education and care we provide,” said centre manager Emma Smith.
“(We) take time to meet and greet families every day, ensuring they are familiar with a child’s individual needs to ensure a continuity of care for the child and family.”
2. C & K BALACLAVA COMMUNITY KINDERGARTEN
Location: 277 McCoombe St, Mooroobool
Opening hours: 8.12am – 2.20pm
Services offered: kindergarten program
Fees: $0.00 for four-year-olds, $44.00 per day for three-year-olds
Availability: No availability for 2022, Enrolments open for 2023
KindiCare rating (category): 9.38 (excellent)
All staff on C&K Balaclava Community Kindergarten’s books are employed on permanent contracts and have an average industry experience of about 25 years.
“We focus on teaching children the building blocks of how to be a good friend to one another, firstly, and secondly how to be curious about learning,” said centre manager Andrew McLean.
Staff at the centre believe commitment to education that is developmentally appropriate and responsive to children’s needs is among the most important considerations in provision of early learning services.
“We believe that respectful and authentic relationships are the heart … of everything we do,” said Ishbel MacConnachie, co-director and teacher.
“We celebrate differences and support children to navigate their play, learning, friendships and emotions.”
1.TRINITY ANGLICAN SCHOOL EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
Location: 200 Progress Rd, White Rock
Opening hours: 7.30am – 5.30pm
Services offered: kindergarten program
Fees: $98.00 per day
Availability: one spot for 2022, enrolments open for 2023
KindiCare rating (category): 9.48 (excellent)
Trinity Anglican School’s early learning centre (ELC) at its White Rock campus tops the list for FNQ and comes in the top 60 for Queensland.
It operates out of a purpose-designed facility and its staff, on average, have worked at the centre for five years and are diploma qualified as a minimum.
“One of the great things about being part of a school is that we can draw on the school’s facilities such as the library, gymnasium and playgrounds to support our learning,” said centre director Kim Comport.
The ELC’s curricular focus is teaching students about the world around them.
The weekly programs include language learning, cultural visits from Indigenous elders, and mindfulness practices such as mediation and yoga.
“We want (our students) to thrive in a nurturing environment and become confident and happy learners.”
*Fees do not account for government rebates, which are unique to each family’s circumstances.
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Originally published as FNQ’s best childcare centres offering pre-kindy, kindy, vacation care and outside school hours care
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