Programs & Services.
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 $20 per hour and is available from 2:15pm to 4:15pm on request – Not Under CCS.
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Fees
$75 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.
Room Hire.
Our meeting rooms are available during business hours and after hours. We offer two larger and one small meeting room. All profits from room hire go straight back into supporting our work in the West Footscray community.
Meeting Room 1
$20 to $40 per hour
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Need a space for your next event? We have spaces to suit groups, meetings, classes, training, and more. Meeting room 1 is downstairs. It features a kitchenette with a fridge and tea/coffee-making facilities and looks out onto a courtyard garden. Trestle tables and chairs are available. The room capacity is around 12 for workshop-style sessions around trestle tables and up to 25 theatre-style or standing.
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Meeting Room 2
$20 to $40 per hour
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Meeting room 2 is upstairs. It features access to a fridge, microwave, dishwasher, and tea/coffee-making facilities. The room capacity is around 16 in a square boardroom setup and up to 30 theatre-style or standing.
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Small Meeting Room
$20 per hour
Our small meeting room is ideal for counselling, mediation, tutoring, or small meetings. The room best suits groups of up to four people.
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Equipment Available
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Included in the hire fee:
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Crockery including glasses, wine glasses, mugs, water jugs, platters, and plates.
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Whiteboard
Additional cost:
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Data projector
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Photocopying
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Facilities
The rooms are in West Footscray Neighbourhood House in the West Footscray Library precinct. The building is accessible with accessible toilets and large doors to the front and downstairs meeting rooms. Street parking is available nearby and the 220 bus stops outside. West Footscray Station is a 10–15-minute walk.
Wee Folk Toy Library.
Tuesday 10am-12pm
Thursday 2pm-4pm
Saturday 10am-12pm
Wee Folk Toy Library is a much-loved program of West Footscray Neighbourhood House.
You can borrow from a vast array of well-made toys that have been designed to support your child’s skill development and imagination. 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 & save space. You can try out different toys, stay for a play, and meet other parents. Borrow from a huge variety of toys, puzzles, games, dress-ups, ride-ons, and large role-play toys. We cater for babies, toddlers, kindergarten, and early primary years.
Members can borrow four toys at a time for up to two weeks.
Membership
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Choose an annual or three-month membership:
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Annual $90 | $50 (health care card)
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Three month $26 | $15 (health care card)
Party Packs.
We have an excellent range of play and active toys for your next party or gathering.
From ball pit and foam playset for the little ones, to giant Jenga and inflatable mini golf for older kids (and kids at heart), there's something for everyone! Your booking also comes with a complementary 3-month Toy Library membership (if you're not already a member, that is)!
If you've got a small group (of 20 people or less) you might also like to hold your party in our downstairs room which even has a small garden.
Please contact us if you'd like further information.
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. Contact us before you come along for the first time so we can give you a warm welcome.
Single Mum's Playgroup.
Every second Saturday
11am-1pm
Our single mum’s playgroup runs every second Saturday in our lovely childcare room. It is a great opportunity for single mums to connect with other women and support one another.
The group is supported by a qualified childcare worker so that mums 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 mums with primary school-aged children are also welcome to attend.
The group runs every second Saturday 11am-1pm and there’s no need to commit to a term – just drop in when you can. Contact us before you come along for the first time so we can give you a warm welcome.
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.
Community Pantry & Wardrobe
Weekdays 9:30am-3:30pm
The Community Pantry and Community Wardrobe operate on a take-what-you-need model. We rely on donations to keep them stocked, so please join us in supporting our community with dignity and compassion.
Community Pantry
Our ​community pantry is stocked with essential items to support our community members in need, and everything is free to take. We welcome donations to keep our pantry shelves full, but we kindly ask that donated items meet certain standards. Pantry items must be non-perishable and in-date to ensure freshness and safety (unfortunately we cannot accept fresh items, frozen items or anything opened or past best-before or use-by date). Highly desired items include weetbix, long life milk, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, tinned tuna, canned vegetables, soup, biscuits, tea, coffee and salt.
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Community Wardrobe
Our wardrobe offers a diverse selection of clothing items for individuals and families in need, and everything is available free of charge. We rely on the generosity of our community to keep our wardrobe stocked, so donations are always welcome. However, we kindly request that donated items be of good quality, and are clean and unstained to meet the needs and dignity of those who rely on our services.