We welcome children from 6 weeks to 6 years of age. Our rooms are grouped to suit each stage of development from our nursery through to our funded kindergarten program.
Birches Early Learning Centres – FAQ
Our centres are open Monday to Friday, typically from 6:30am to 6:30pm (hours may vary slightly by location). We’re open all year round, except on public holidays.
Your daily fee includes:
- All meals and snacks, freshly prepared on-site
- Nappies, wipes, sunscreen, bedding and a hat on enrolment
- A full educational program aligned with the EYLF to help support your child’s growth and development at every stage. Our approach helps nurture essential milestones, including social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills.
- Incursions, excursions, music and movement sessions, sports sessions, STEM program, and a school readiness program
- Daily updates and photos through our parent communication app
Fees vary based on your child’s age, centre location, and days booked. Most families are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Contact your local Birches centre for a personalised quote or try our online CCS calculator.
No! We provide all nutritious meals and snacks, as well as nappies, wipes and bedding. You only need to pack a change of clothes, water bottle, and any personal comfort items your child may need (like a dummy).
Start by contacting your nearest Birches centre or submitting a waitlist application online. We encourage families to book a tour, meet the team, and see the centre before enroling. Our Centre Directors will then guide you through the enrolment process step-by-step.
Yes. Our three and four-year-old kindergarten programs are delivered by Bachelor qualified Early Childhood Teachers and are funded under the Victorian Government’s Free Kinder initiative. Kinder is integrated into the long day care routine, giving you both education and flexibility.
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a federal government payment that helps reduce your out-of-pocket childcare fees. It’s calculated based on your family’s income, activity level, and the number of hours of care you use. You apply for the CCS through your MyGov/Centrelink account. Once approved, Birches applies the subsidy directly to your fees. To get a personalised quote and find out exactly how much you’ll pay each day, contact your local Birches team – we’re happy to help!
Yes. fees still apply for booked days, including public holidays and absence due to illness or holidays. CCS covers up to 42 absence days per year (without needing a medical certificate), and some centres may offer make-up days if available.
All educators at Birches Early Learning hold approved Early Childhood Education qualifications, including Certificate III, Diploma, or Bachelor’s degrees. In addition to their formal training, our educators are certified in First Aid, CPR, Asthma, and Anaphylaxis management. They also complete training in Child Protection, Safe Sleep practices, Diabetes, and Food Allergy awareness. This ensures they are fully prepared to support children’s health, safety, and well-being every day. We meet or exceed all required educator-to-child ratios across our centres.
Absolutely. We encourage all families to book a tour so you can explore the centre, meet the educators, and see if Birches is the right fit for your family.
We use a secure parent app to share daily updates, photos, meal and nap times, and learning activities. You’re always welcome to drop in, call or speak with your child’s educators at drop-off or pick-up if you have any questions.
We work closely with families to support any medical needs. We follow individual health or allergy action plans, and all staff are trained in managing asthma, anaphylaxis, and administering medication safely.
Each day includes:
- Indoor and outdoor play
- Group learning experiences
- Meal and rest times
- STEM Program
- Music, art, sport, cooking classes a,nd story time
- For older children, a school readiness program to get them ready for school
Our kinder runs within long day care, meaning your child can attend full days with a qualified teacher, all year round. Unlike sessional kinders that may only run short hours and close for holidays, our program offers 15 government-funded hours per week, plus extended hours and meals – perfect for working families.