Occasional Care

This unique childcare service provides flexible care for children from birth to school age. The safe, caring, nurturing and stimulating environment encourages your child’s participation. There are many reasons why families use occasional care including:

• casual, part-time or shift work
• respite care
• appointments
• crisis and emergency care
• studying
• shopping
• socialisation for child and family
• education for child and family
• leisure pursuits
• voluntary community work

Service Details

• Ages – children from six weeks to six years/school age.
• Centres
  • Brookvale Community Centre, 2 Alfred Street, Brookvale
    - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8.30am to 3.30pm
  • Forestville Memorial Hall, Starkey Street, Forestville
    - Mondays and Thursdays, 8.30am to 3.30pm
• Staff – To maximum of 20 children, the staff to child ratios in Occasional Care are:
  • 0-2 years – minimum one carer for every four children
• 2-3 years – minimum one carer for every five children
• 3-6 years – minimum one carer for every 10 children.
• Food and Drink – Parents are to provide sufficient food and drinks for their child. No lollies, popcorn or junk food. No nuts and nut products (including peanut butter, muesli bars or other food which may have nut traces), or any substance which may cause an allergic reaction in any child at the service. All containers are to be labelled with child's name.
• Clothes and Nappies – At least two disposable nappies, full change of clothing including socks and sun hat provided in named bag. Sunscreen should be applied to your child/ren before arrival.
• Fees - $13.00 per hour per child. A reduced fee of $75.00 applies to an all day booking.
• Registration Fee - $24.20 per family paid on first booked session. Once only payment.
  • Family Registration Form
• Cancellation Fee – If a cancellation is made 24 hours before your booking, there is no cancellation fee. If you cancel before 12pm the day before, there is a cancellation fee of $13. After 12pm and up to the day of attendance there will be a cancellation fee for the hours your child is booked for.
• Late Fee – A late fee of $2 per minute will be charged if child is collected more than 5 minutes after the booked departure time.
• Bookings – Casual and regular bookings welcome. Bookings are made on a hourly or full session basis.
• Regular Bookings – Generally made by school term. Payment made in advance. No refunds for absences. Two weeks notice to discontinue regular bookings. Consideration can be made to accommodate alternative requirements. Apply to director.
• New Enrolments – Parents complete an Enrolment Form and provide original child’s immunisation book and birth certificate to the Centre.
• Child Care Benefit – Upon request parents receive a statement or receipt of fees paid and claim through Medicare or the Family Assistance Office. Occasional Care is a "Registered Care" service so parents claim back from the Family Assistance Office.

Our Philosophy

We believe children are individuals that learn and develop at different rates. We always look to build on their positive strengths and give children a sense of achievement in their play. Children learn through well planned play experiences and it is the listening, talking and experimenting that is important.

We aim to provide a safe, warm environment that lends itself to children's development and learning. We accommodate individual needs, habits and routines to the best of our ability in a comfortable, co-operative environment.

We believe that parents and staff can work together to provide the best possible foundation for every child. Our staff are available to help parents when necessary and understand that parenting is a most difficult and important job. We will work with the community to support the parenting role.

We believe occasional care should be a happy and stimulating experience for your child and a relaxed and enjoyable experience for you.

Licensing

As a licensed childcare service, Warringah Occasional Care is required to abide by State regulations which specify the number of children in care, the size of rooms and playgrounds, the ratio of staff to children and health and safety requirements.

Placement / Registration

• Service no: 9975 7834 or 0407 410 548
• Email: brookvalechildrenscentre@warringah.nsw.gov.au