There is a huge amount of compelling recent research on the first five years of a child’s development and how it affects the rest of their lives. We know that 80 per cent of a child’s brain is developed within the first five years. We also know that children who start ahead stay ahead and keep accelerating beyond their peers.

Over time, it becomes harder to close gaps between children who are excelling and those who are falling behind. That is why it is so important to get it right from the start. To give our children the best possible opportunities for their future, we need to lay the foundations early.

Children start learning from the day they are born. They need a rich range of hands-on play-based experiences and intentional teaching to develop the skills for future success. Therefore, it is paramount for young children to be engaged in high-quality early childhood education programs to lay strong foundations for their future successes.

At Imagine Early Learning and Childcare, we take in pride in providing environments that support each child to reach their potential.

There is a misconception that ‘Childcare’ is simply providing care for children and that ‘Preschools’ provide an education. The truth is that all Early Childhood Services are assessed against the National Quality Standard (NQS), which has a strong focus on both ‘caring and nurturing’ as well as the learning and educational aspects of the program.

All Imagine Early Learning & Childcare Centres have separate preschool rooms for children aged 3/5 yrs. The preschool programs in these rooms are developed and implemented by Early Childhood Trained Teachers. The advantage to families of having a preschool program run within a ‘Child Care Centre’ or ‘Daycare Centre’ is that it offers families the flexibility of the longer operating hours and choice of days.

Our staff hold various qualifications in Early Childhood – ranging from the minimum qualification of Certificate III in Children’s Services to Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood. But the most important qualification that our staff hold is not written on any certificate but clearly visible to a trained eye – and that is a true passion and commitment to providing the very best care and education for young children.

Most of our centres cater for children aged from six weeks to school age. Imagine Early Learning Shortland caters for children aged 18 months to school age.

Operating hours vary between centres; however, they are generally open from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, 52 weeks a year. We are not open on weekends or public holidays. Please check with the individual centres for more information.

The majority of our centre have an on-site cook who prepares healthy nutritious meals which include morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Mealtimes at Imagine Early Learning & Childcare are not only to fill hungry tummies but also an opportunity to practice self-help, language and social skills. In other words, meal times are a lot of fun!

You can submit an online enquiry via the ‘Contact us’ link on this website or you can check further details on the selected centre’s website by clicking on ‘Our Centres’.

In the first instance, you need to submit an online application form via our website. The Centre Director will contact you once a suitable position becomes available. They will invite you to visit the centre so that you can meet the educators, view the environment and ask any questions which you may have. We want to ensure that you are comfortable with your decision. The Director will then provide you with an enrolment pack that contains everything you need to know about the centre, as well as enrolment forms. Once you return the completed forms, further visits can be arranged before your child’s start date. We want to ensure as smooth a transition as possible, so feel free to visit as many times as necessary. Even after your child starts, we will support you every step of the way.

Fees vary from centre to centre and are also dependent on things such as the number of days in care, the age of your child as well as your eligibility for any government subsidies. We recommend that you contact the Centre Director of your nominated centre who will be able to provide you with a quote. Please click ‘Our Centres’ for contact details of your nominated centre.

Imagine, along with many other providers in the sector, closes for public holidays. If your scheduled booked day falls on public holidays, fees will still apply as staff and operating costs still need to be covered. The Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) covers up to 42 absence days a year, which includes public holidays. This means that, unless you exceed this quota, you will be eligible for the CCS discount on public holidays.

Yes, fees still apply for sick days. The Child Care Subsidy will cover up to 42 absence days a year with no documentation and unlimited sick days if you are able to provide a medical certificate.

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a payment offered by the Australian Government for which you may be eligible. To find out if you are eligible for CSS visit the Department of Human Services website:

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/child-care-subsidy

Depending on your personal circumstances, there may also be other government funding available.