Childcare Valentine
Our purpose-built childcare centre is located on St Johns Drive just off Macquarie Drive (close to Valentine Public School)
Welcome to Imagine Early Learning & Childcare Valentine
Welcome to Imagine Early Learning & Childcare Valentine! We are thrilled to announce that after a 3-year hiatus, and after a bit of makeover, Valentine Preschool has reopened under the banner of Imagine Early Learning & Childcare.
Imagine Early Learning & Childcare Valentine is a small 29-place long day care centre catering for children aged 2-5 years, Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and is located close to a nature reserve, which we utilise within our nature-based play program. Our preschool program is designed to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can thrive. At Imagine, our motto is to teach children how to think, not what to think!
If Valentine is not your closest location, we have five other daycare centres in Newcastle & Lake Macquarie that are purpose-built and architecturally designed to optimise care and learning for children from birth through to school age. Our environments abound with natural elements, both inside and out. We can’t wait to welcome your children back to a world of learning, fun and growth!
Opening hours are 7:30 am – 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Why Imagine Early Learning & Childcare Valentine?
At Imagine Early Learning & Childcare Valentine, we believe that childhood is about playing, discovering and believing in dreams.
At Imagine Early Learning & Childcare Valentine, we celebrate each child’s uniqueness and encourage them to explore their interests and views about the world. We create a safe and supportive space where children feel like they belong and can freely express themselves. We believe in nurturing their natural curiosity and wonder, guiding them to think for themselves rather than just telling them what to think.
Our approach is all about recognising and building on each child’s strengths and interests. We provide engaging experiences that encourage them to explore, ask questions, and learn about the world around them. We follow the Early Years Learning Framework, seeing children as capable and active learners.
We are big believers in the rights of every child and work to include everyone, collaborating with external support when needed. Families are crucial partners in this journey, and we value open communication to maintain a strong connection between home and our centre. Our educators bring unique skills and experiences, and we support them with a positive work environment and ongoing professional development. The heart of our program lies in their dedication to nurturing each child’s potential.
Beyond our centre, we see ourselves as part of a broader community. We actively engage with others to enhance our programs and advocate for the importance of early childhood. We also recognise and respect the traditional custodians of the land our centre is on.
Lastly, we’re committed to instilling a sense of responsibility for the environment in our little learners. Sustainable practices are woven into our daily routines and activities, encouraging children to care for the world around them from an early age.
🌱 Getting our hands dirty for World Environment Day 🌍
We dove into the garden, checked the worm farm… and met a surprise guest — a tiny frog doing its bit for the ecosystem! 🐸
Nature always shows up when you take care of it.
#imagineearlylearningcentres #mayfield
A day in the life at Imagine Valentine 💫 Where curiosity leads the way and childhood is celebrated in every moment 🌿
#PlayBasedLearning #ChildhoodJoy #EarlyLearningAdventures #SpendADayWithUs #ImagineEarlyLearningValentine #ImagineEarlyLearning #imagineelc #imagineearlylearningcentres #valentinepreschool #earlychildhood #earlychildhoodeducation
🧘♀️ Little Yogis in Action! 🧘♂️
Over the last few weeks the children at our centres have embraced calm, connection, and creativity during their yoga session with @thekarmaclass
Through mindful movement, breath, and balance, they explored how to stretch their bodies and settle their minds. Such a beautiful way to support emotional regulation and body awareness! 🌿✨
#MindfulMoments #TheKarmaClass #EarlyLearning #ChildrensYoga #ImagineInAction #imagineearlylearningcentres #imagineelc #children #yoga #mindfullness
Our preschoolers at Imagine Toronto had a fantastic time during today’s special visit from StEPS Vision Screening!
We’re so proud of how bravely and enthusiastically they each embraced the experience- even if it may have felt a little unfamiliar.
StEPS Vision screening is such a valuable program and a great opportunity for our little ones to have their vision screened ahead of starting kindergarten, as early detection of any visual challenges may be crucial, prior to their Kindergarten journey. 👓
#imaginetoronto #imagineearlylearningcentres
Sandwich mission: complete! Our little Rosebud crew grabbed some fresh bread straight from the bakery! 🍞💌✨☔️
#thejunction #eylf
Last week we celebrated the incredible mother figures in our lives for Mother’s Day 💐 We’re so grateful for all the love, care, and strength you share with us every day 💛
#MothersDay #ThankYouMum #WeAppreciateYou #imagineearlylearningcentres #imagineelc #imaginemerewetherheights #morningtea #ilovemum
A beautiful afternoon steeped in ‘tea’, laughter, and love — shared with our little ones and the incredible women who lift them up. From devoted mums to cherished mother figures, we are endlessly grateful for the strength, warmth, and heart that fills our community each and every day at Imagine Toronto.
#imaginetoronto #imagineearlylearningcentres #mothersday #community
A beautiful afternoon filled with love, laughter and creativity! Our little artists hosted a special paint and juice Mother’s Day afternoon tea to celebrate the amazing mums, grandmothers and special mother figures in their lives. Masterpieces were painted, juice was poured and memories were made!
Happy Mother’s Day 🤍 #imaginemayfield #mothersday
Testimonials
We are new to Imagine as of this year, but after four years in different daycare centres between Sydney and Newcastle I can happily say Imagine has exceeded all of our expectations.
The centre is down to earth with a great outdoor play area and a strong focus on nature and creative play. They really nurture imagination and favour reading and face-to-face education over screen time. I have already noticed a big difference in my children’s play at home since transitioning there.
The rooms are very “homey” and are structured around the same one or two primary educators, so the kids all feel very comfortable and are able to develop secure relationships with their teachers.
Speaking of the teachers, they are absolutely wonderful… They genuinely care for the kids with a level of engagement and commitment I have seen nowhere else.
Couldn’t recommend it more highly 🌟
We love Imagine Merewether Heights. Each daycare day is filled with smiles, hellos and a positive vibe. We love that each educator will greet you and ask about our baby and how they are going.
Nature and outdoor living is a big part of our lifestyle at home, so its an added bonus that they have an amazing nature garden filled with big gumtrees, a river run and mudpit.
We have been attending this centre for six years now and will be sad for our journey with Imagine Merewether Heights to come to an end this year.
The centre itself is located in a beautiful bush setting with exceptional outdoor facilities and multi-zoned play areas, as well as large interactive classrooms which are well equipped with a wide range of educational, creative and cultural resources for learning and play.
The staff are professional and friendly, and cater to all ages from little babies right through to preschool age. Our time here has been a thoroughly nurturing and positive experience, and the genuine bonds we have formed with many of the other children and educators will continue to have a lasting impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Imagine Early Learning & Childcare Valentine, we understand that you may have many questions when considering enrolling your child at our child care centre. Here is a list of some of the questions that parents frequently ask. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.
WHAT AGES DO YOU CATER FOR?
Most of our centres cater to children aged six weeks to school age, however at Valentine we cater for 2-5 year olds.
WHAT ARE THE OPERATING HOURS?
We’re open Monday to Friday, 52 weeks a year, however, closed on weekends or public holidays.
- Valentine: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Garden Suburb: 7 am to 6 pm
- Mayfield: 6:30- am to 5:45 pm
- Merewether Heights: 7 am to 6 pm
- The Junction: 7 am to 6 pm
- Toronto: 6:30 am to 5:45 pm
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO YOUR STAFF HOLD?
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.
HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE WITH PARENTS?
Effective communication between home and the centre ensures nothing gets missed. Whilst we love the daily communication at arrivals and departures, we also use an app called OWNA to keep families updated on their child’s day, learning and development and centre happenings. The OWNA childcare app is free to download and gives families real-time access to their child’s data. It is a two-way tool, allowing families to provide information and feedback to the educators.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SEND MY CHILD TO IMAGINE EARLY LEARNING & CHILDCARE?
Fees are dependent on things like the number of days in care, the age of your child, and your eligibility for any government subsidies. We recommend that you contact the Centre Director who will be able to provide you with a quote.
WHAT IS PRESCHOOL FEE RELIEF IN LONG DAY CARE?
Starting in 2023, the NSW Government is providing funds to provide fee relief to families with children attending a preschool in a Long Day Care setting. This funding will be for families as a weekly reduction to their gap fee (after the Child Subsidy has been applied). The Preschool Fee relief is for children turning 4 years on or before 1st July 2023. We welcome this initiative from the Government as it recognises the critical role Long Day Centres play in providing a preschool program.
For more information, please go to: https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/early-years-commitment/affordable-preschool
WHAT GOVERNMENT REBATES AND BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES?
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 circumstances, there may also be other government funding available.
HOW DO I ENROL AT AN IMAGINE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE?
In the first instance, you need to submit an online application form. The Centre Director will contact you once a suitable position becomes available. They will invite you to visit the centre to meet the educators, view the environment and ask any questions you may have. We want to ensure that you are comfortable with your decision. The Director will then provide you with an enrolment pack containing everything you need to know about the centre and enrolment forms. Once you return the completed forms, further visits can be arranged before your child’s start date. We want to ensure a smooth transition, so feel free to visit as many times as necessary. Even after your child starts, we will support you every step of the way.
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR?
- Casual play clothes are best. Most of our activities are ‘hands-on’ and will include messy play, so clothing should be practical and comfortable. Children who are afraid of getting dirty or ruining good clothes will not benefit from a large part of their early learning program.
- Shorts and a tee shirt in summer and a tracksuit in winter are the most practical as they allow children to climb, run and jump. No jewellery please.
- Older children are encouraged to be independent in dressing and toileting. To help your child experience success in these self-help skills, please avoid buckles, belts and overalls.
- Sturdy shoes with a closed toe suitable for climbing and active play are essential. Thongs and slip-on shoes are dangerous and not permitted at the centre.
- Sun hats are essential, even on cloudy days. The risk of sunburn, although reduced, is still present on overcast days. Please ensure the hat protects your child’s face, neck and ears (legionnaire style is best). Caps and hats with cords (due to the risk of strangulation) are not permitted.
DO I NEED TO LABEL MY CHILD'S THINGS?
Labelling all your child’s belongings, including all clothing, nappies, wipes, shoes, socks, sheets, drink bottles, hats, teddy bears, lunch boxes and drink bottles, is essential.
Shoes, socks, jumpers and hats are taken off and put on many times throughout the day. We must be able to identify what belongs to whom, so please label everything!
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