Our Programs
We have a wonderful multi-age childcare room with five-hour sessions, catering to Children aged from 12 months to 5 years. Our Community Childcare has such a nurturing and family-like environment that many of our families choose it as the first place their children have been outside of the family.
We take this privilege very seriously and love getting to know each child while supporting children’s learning and development through the Victorian Early Years Learning & Development Framework. We meet all Local, State, and Federal regulations and guidelines to offer accessible, affordable, and high-quality childcare to local families.
The Community Childcare includes an outdoor environment where Children partake in physical activity and gross motor development opportunities with scooters, a sandpit, a cubby house, climbing obstacle equipment, and more.
Our Educators value and promote children’s independence and autonomy, we encourage the free choice of activities, to play independently or collaboratively. Our Educators implement a Weekly Educational Program driven by the children’s individual interests and developmental stages, utilising a play-based learning approach, and facilitating play themes such as construction, pretend play, sensory experiences, and more.
The structure is added to your child’s day through circle times, indoor play / outdoor play, a morning fruit break, and time to sit down and eat lunch together. Throughout the day, Educators follow your child’s home routine. always Prioritising the children's individual needs, particularly with naps and bottle feeding. Educators also utilise Visual Guides within the room to support non-verbal communication.
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Sessions
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9:15am-2:15pm (5-hour sessions)
Our license allows us to book children for up to 15 hours (3 sessions) per week. Most families book permanent places, but casual care may be available. Our childcare operates through the April, June, and September school holidays. It closes for four weeks over the Christmas / New Year period. We are closed on public holidays.
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Stay and Play
Now taking bookings for the extension of the Community Childcare this is $25 per hour and is available from 2:15pm to 4:15pm on request – Not Under CCS.
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Fees
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$80 per 5-hour session: A one-off enrolment fee of $60 and an annual re-enrolment fee of $20. Permanent bookings also must pay a $150 bond per child which is returned at the cessation of care.
Eligible families can use the Childcare Subsidy to reduce fees. Information about eligibility and an estimation of how much subsidy you could receive can be found at Services Australia.
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Staff
Our childcare coordinator Lily has many years of experience in childcare. She always takes the time to chat to parents about how their children are going and we love her for her creative ideas and huge personality. Our educators are all incredibly warm and create a wonderful family atmosphere in the room. Your child will see the same staff each time they come. Our senior staff is Diploma educated, all staff have Working with Children Checks and valid Child Protection & Mandatory Reporting training.
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How to Enrol
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If you are interested in our childcare, please contact us to enquire or to arrange a tour.
Borrow from a huge variety of toys, puzzles, games, dress-ups, ride ons and role play toys.
WeeFolk Toy Library is a much-loved program of West Footscray Neighbourhood House. You can borrow from a vast array of toys that support your child's imagination and skill development. Toy libraries aim to support families and encourage togetherness with quality time spent playing with children. Toy Libraries are good for the environment, save money and save space. You can try out different toys, stay for a play and meet other parents.
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We cater for children aged 0-6 years.
Membership
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Choose an annual or three-month membership:
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Annual $90 | $50 (concession)
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Three month $26 | $15 (concession)
Our Sensory Library provides sensory toys and resources to borrow or hire.
West Footscray Sensory Library is a place where parents and carers can borrow sensory toys and equipment to stimulate and engage the senses. Sensory Library caters to children with sensory processing issues, autism, developmental delays, and other special needs. Sensory toys often include items that provide tactile, visual, auditory and proprioceptive feedback, such as fidget toys, weighted blankets, textured objects, light-up toys, and sound-producing items.
Membership gives you access to borrow high quality sensory toys. Sensory Library caters for children at a developmental age of 3 months to 6 years.
Higher cost items are also available for hire on a fee-per-hire basis, allowing families to 'try before you buy'.
Membership
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Choose an annual or three-month membership:
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Annual $180
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Three month $50
Wee Folk Playgroup
Friday 10am-12pm
Our New We Folk Playgroup meets every Friday from 10am to 12pm downstairs in our beautiful Toy Library room.
The group is supported by a qualified childcare worker so that mums have a chance to relax. We put out activities for the children including Play-Doh, cupcake decorating, and lots of art and crafts to enjoy. She offers a spare set of hands and many years of experience in childcare. We want this to be a safe, inclusive playgroup where you can relax and meet other local mums, dads, grandparents, and carers in the area.
There’s no need to commit to a term – just drop in when you can.
Saturday Playgroup
Every second Saturday
10am-12pm
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Upcoming dates:
6 July
20 July
3 August
17 August
31 August
14 September
Our Saturday playgroup runs every second Saturday in our lovely childcare room. It is a great opportunity for working parent's and carers to connect with other local parents and carers and support one another.
The group is supported by a qualified childcare worker so that parents have a chance to relax. They put out activities for the children to enjoy, offering a spare set of hands and many years of experience in childcare.
The room is set up for children aged 0 to 4 years but parents with primary school-aged children are also welcome to attend.
The group runs every second Saturday 10am-12pm and there’s no need to commit to a term – just drop in when you can. A gold coin donation is appreciated.
Soul House
Thursday 11:30am-1:30pm
Neighbourhood houses are all about social inclusion and our Soul House group is one of our very favourite offerings.
Locals come along to the drop-in session each Thursday from 11:30am to 1:30pm to enjoy tea or coffee, a bite to eat, and socialising in a friendly, supportive environment. You don’t need to get a referral and there are no forms to fill out – just come along and our friendly staff and regulars will be there to greet you.
Soul House is built upon a community development model and seeks to strengthen its connection with our aging neighbours. We have focused on alleviating social isolation and promoting the inclusion of marginalised community members – particularly those residing in rooming houses or living alone.
CoderDojo
Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm
CoderDojo is a global movement of free, volunteer-led, community based programming clubs for young people. We are the Footscray chapter of this amazing initiative!
CoderDojo Footscray is run by the West Footscray Neighbourhood House initiative in collaboration with team at CoderDojo Altona North.
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In class we work on Scratch, BBC micro:bit, python, micropython, web development, 3D modelling, fundamentals of electronics using Arduino, Raspberry Pi, etc.
CoderDojo’s are run by volunteers and are 100% free. If you have any questions please get in touch.