Frequently Asked Questions

How do you provide the best for my child?

Our philosophy is all about encouraging your child to discover their own unique abilities and indikiduality. We do this by providing engaging educational programs, learning environment and activities and resources that will inspire your child. Our professional and highly qualified educators genuinely want to see your child succeed and will go over and above to tailor their approach to support your child's unique development. Our centre offers high quality facilities and a guaranteed safe and nurturing environment to provide the best opportunities for your child while they are in our care.

How big are the class sizes?

We have smaller class sizes that are well below the maximums set by the national ratios for centre-based services. This provides your child with a much higher degree of individualised care and attention. Book a tour of our centre if you'd like to see firsthand the high level of interaction your' child will have with their educators and other children.

How do I Enrol?

The first step is to make contact with our centre and express your interest in enrolling with us. It would be ideal if you are able to arrange a time to come into the centre for a tour, where our Centre Manager will show you around our facilities and you can meet our team. We will provide you with an application form and will be happy to guide you through the process, answering any questions you may have. Please note that due to our high-quality facilities and individualised approach to your child's care and education, our centre is a popular choice in the local area and therefore there may be a waitlist. If necessary, we will explain the waitlist process and communicate with you regularly about your individual situation.

Can my child transfer from one centre to another in the Affinity Education Group?

Yes they can. Affinity Education Group manages centres across Australia and we give priority to children who are already part of the Affinity family. Begin the process by talking to your current centre manager and they will work with you and us to make the transition as smooth as possible for your family.

Helpful Links

Family Child Care Subsidy Estimator

https://www.education.gov.au/sites/education/files/sch/est/index.html

Estimate your child care subsidy.

Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority

http://www.acecqa.gov.au/families

Visit the ACECQA website and find useful information and FAQs specifically for families.

Child Care Subsidy

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/child-care-subsidy

Learn more about Government assistance towards out of pocket childcare expenses.

Early Years Learning Framework

http://files.acecqa.gov.au/files/National-Quality-Framework-Resources-Kit/belonging_being_and_becoming_the_early_years_learning_framework_for_australia.pdf

This document is Australia’s first national Early Years Learning Framework for early childhood educators. It is designed for use by early childhood educators working in partnership with families. Being familiar with the framework may provide you with further insight into how we help your child spread their wings.

Lifelong Learning

www.lll.edu.au

Learn more about the Lifelong Learning programs that we deliver.

National Quality Standards

http://www.acecqa.gov.au/national-quality-framework/the-national-quality-standard

Understand the rating and assessment system for Australian childcare centres.

Starting Blocks

http://www.startingblocks.gov.au

This family friendly resource gives you information about early childhood education and care to help you make the best choices for your child and family.

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions 

What support is available?

We are committed to supporting our families and people. Our families are supported by our centre management teams, our committed Family Support Consultants, and our COVID-19 Response Team. We endeavour to communicate accurate, timely updates as the situation evolves. Our centres practice the highest quality health and hygiene practices, aligned with State Government recommendations and requirements.

All families enrolled at our centres also have access to free confidential counselling and support through Lifeworks. Lifeworks have caring counsellors available 24/7 for support – call 1300 361 008 and state you are an enrolled family at a centre owned and operated by Affinity Education Group.

Our people are supported with ongoing training, additional resources, clear communication and support from our COVID-19 Response Team, and access to counsellors and confidential support. By supporting our teams, we allow them to focus on their main objective: providing high-quality early education and care for your children.

What health and safety measures are being implemented?

Below is an overview of some of the health and safety measures we are implementing in our centres across Australia. Please note that not all of these measures are always mandatory in all centres. We amend mandatory health and safety measures in centres depending on directives from State Governments.
-Mandatory QR code check-in using State Government issued QR codes for anyone who remains in the centre for 15 minutes or more.
-Adult visitors, including families, are to wear masks, complete the visitor declaration, practice social distancing and practice good hand hygiene when entering centres.
-Face masks for staff in communal areas if 1.5m2 cannot be maintained (offices, foyers, bathrooms, kitchens, etc).
-Drop-off and pick-up zones.
-Temperature checks for children, parents, employees, and other visitors.
-Additional family tour options including contactless tours or virtual tours.
-Visitors or contractors to the centre limited to necessary visitors only.
-Social distancing for visitors of one person per 2m2.
-Enhanced handwashing and hygiene procedures.

How can families support the wellbeing of our community?

We want to reassure families that we are committed to healthy and hygienic centres year-round. You can help keep our communities healthy by: -Keeping your child at home if showing signs of illness, or high temperature.
-Maintain open communication with your Centre Manager about illnesses.
-Incorporating key hygiene practices into your home life, such as regular handwashing.
-If in doubt, or if anyone in your family is showing symptoms, we ask that you get a COVID test before bringing your child back to care.
-While our COVID-19 Response Team will continue to monitor and communicate local alerts, we ask that you please monitor yourself, your child and any location alerts in your area.
-Stay up to date with messaging from the Centre around any state based COVID communication.
-Contacting us immediately if you or a member of your household has tested positive to COVID-19, is classified a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case and/or is awaiting a COVID-19 test result.

Is it safe to send my child to childcare?

Yes, our centres remain safe and hygienic environments for your child’s early learning. Please be assured that we are taking all proper measures and precautions to ensure the health and safety of the children, families and educators of our community.

What happens if an educator, child or parent at a centre is diagnosed COVID-19?

We are committed to providing clear and open communications with our community. In the event of a positive diagnosis or close contact, we’ll communicate quickly and clearly with our families through email, SMS and StoryPark communications and follow the directions of the relevant health authorities.

How do I find more information about restrictions in my state?

Current state guidelines across Australia are available to view here. You can also view the latest updates and hotline contact number for each state below:

Federal Government Department of Health - 1800 020 080

Queensland Government - 13 43 25 84

New South Wales Government - 1300 066 055

ACT Government - 02 5124 9213

Victorian Government - 1300 651 160

Western Australia Government - 13 26843

Northern Territory Government - 1800 490 484

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Our Educational Programs

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Nursery

Your child's lifelong learning journey starts here! Our nursery provides a warm, safe environment for your baby to learn and grow. Caring and gentle educators will develop nurturing relationships with your baby, so your child will develop trust and a sense of belonging.

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Toddler

Our centre provides a stimulating and fun environment to enhance your child’s learning in their early years. Learning starts long before school, with the first five years of a child’s life being crucial to laying the foundations for their ability to learn throughout their later years.

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Preschool

Preparing for primary school is one of the most important times in a child’s life. Our Lifelong Learning Curriculum School Readiness program stimulates young minds, builds confidence, resilience and positive self-image, and supports children’s transition to school.

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Lifelong Learning Curriculum

The Lifelong Learning Curriculum is Affinity Education’s research-based curriculum for early childhood education, based on the belief that learning and development occurs most successfully when supported by nurturing and engaged educators, in partnership with families and communities. It draws on the best teaching and learning strategies from Montessori and Reggio Emilia combined with modern, evidence-based approaches including Abecedarian and Circle of Security.

The Lifelong Learning Curriculum is play-based and specifically designed to cater for all ages from birth to school age.

Educational programs, inspired by four key intentions, thoughtfully and individually facilitate each child’s learning.

What our families say about us

Latest News from Aussie Kindies

A Day of ‘Awe’ and ‘Wonder’ in your Nursery

When thinking about a typical day in the Nursery, it is common to have preconceptions about what happens and how the educators facilitate learning. Through online research and centre tours, you will most likely obtain information that highlights how the infant room follow the baby's ...

How my Educators get me School Ready

Early Childhood Education has proven to play a major role in a child's transition to school, and here at Papilio, we have passionate Educators and Early Childhood Teachers who deliver a range of programs to extend children's curiosity, growth, and independence. This article will explore a typical day in our preschool/Kindergarten rooms.  Key Learning ...

A day in the life of a Toddler

Every day in our Toddler room is filled with different types of learning that your child's Educators have intentionally planned to support children's growth and learning outcomes. From the moment you drop them off to our Educators to the moment your Toddler runs back to ...

A day in the life – Childcare and your child’s development

This month, we wanted to share with you a little more about early childhood education, what it means, and how it works, and give you a glimpse of what your child may actually experience while with us each day.   I know as a parent, you ...

Creativity and fun through the power of books!

Over the week of the 21st of August, our centres celebrated book week through the power of dress up, imagination and creativity as our Educators and Teachers developed learning experiences inspired by the books the children read every day. Papilio Early Learning Baulkham Hills brought ...

Spring has Sprung! What is happening at your centre?

Spring is the season for growth, and at our centres, growth can be seen in every room, program and child in our Lifelong Learning Village.  Over this season, our Spring Program will provide additional opportunities for your children to explore and further develop their abilities; ...

Get involved for National Science Week!

National Science Week is fast approaching, with the official date to launch from the 12th all the way through to the 20th of August. All our Affinity Education Group Centres are getting their nurseries, toddler rooms and school readiness rooms prepared with various science- and ...

Aussie Wildlife Champions now available at your centre!

In an exciting Australia-first, more than 10,000 children aged between 3-5 years will have access to the new Aussie Wildlife Champions Lifelong Learning Curriculum program as the result of a partnership between Affinity Education Group and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC)  Dr Lesley Jones, Head ...

Saying ‘Thank you!’ on Early Childhood Educators Day

The countdown is on to Wednesday, the 6th of September, when our centres will celebrate Early Childhood Educators Day. We're inviting all families and caregivers to make a special effort to say 'Thank You' to the educators who care for and teach their children in ...

Sensory Play: Nurturing your child’s early development

Sensory play, messy play or creative play are just some of the terms used to describe a lot of fun!   As a child our senses are a vital foundation of how we experience the world around us, and sensory-based play is an essential part of ...

Effective room transitioning in early childcare

Graduating from one room to the next is a significant event for children, their families and educators alike. In this article we explore what you can expect as your child transitions from one room to the next.   Graduating from one room to the next ...

Dont miss our Preschool/Kindergarten information sessions

It's that time of year when families begin to turn their attention to deciding where their child should be enrolled for their preschool or kindergarten year. The kindergarten or preschool year is an important one, and one that research tells us will play a significant ...

Easing Separation Anxiety

Graduating from the junior rooms to the older 3-5-year old programs is a significant and exciting transition for young children. In this article, we unpack what families can expect as their child begins this next exciting stage of their educational journey. The graduation of your ...

Your little junior is graduating! Whats next?

Graduating from the junior rooms to the older 3-5-year old programs is a significant and exciting transition for young children. In this article, we unpack what families can expect as their child begins this next exciting stage of their educational journey. The graduation of your ...

Successful transitions through care and trust

Secure relationships… the key to transitioning into care through our Healthy Beginnings Curriculum  Transitioning into care for the first time can often feel daunting for families and full of natural curiosities and 'what if' type questions, like "What if my baby doesn't eat the food ...

Affinity reaches ambitious goal for National Pyjama Day

For the third consecutive year, Affinity Education Group had a successful week raising funds for National Pyjama Day, reaching the ambitious goal of $20,000.  For the third consecutive year, Affinity Education Group had a successful week raising funds for National Pyjama Day, reaching the ambitious goal of ...

10 Things to do when it’s wet with your little ones!   

Entertaining children when it's wet outside, can be difficult for an excitable and energetic child, and our Early Childcare Centres know all too well what it means when the grey clouds roll in.    But don't fret! With thousands of years of combined early childcare experience, ...

What Does The National Quality Standards Mean To Me?

What are the National Quality Standards (NQS)?  The Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) National Quality Standards sets a high national benchmark for early childhood education and care and outside school hours care centres in Australia.   The NQS includes 7 quality areas that ...

Toilet Training – Our Experts Top Tips  

Learning to use the toilet is an essential milestone in your child's life, and as we know, each child develops at different rates; therefore, our experts suggest focusing on a variety of developmental cues, rather than age, when deciding to start the toilet training process. ...

School Readiness – Lifelong Learning Curriculum For Your Preschooler

Preparing for school is an exciting time in a child's life, and our staff are here to support your child during this learning journey whilst having fun along the way. If you have been with us, your child will be ready to transition from our ...

Early Experiences – Lifelong Learning Curriculum For Your Toddler

We know your toddler is ready to babble, socialize and make friends in a safe and nurturing environment. Our childcare centres offer a wonderland of play-based early learning environments and experiences during the exciting toddler ages. Our qualified educators are trained and accredited by Affinity ...

Autumn Menu – Spiced Lamb Kofta, flat bread, Tzatziki and Salad

Winter is almost upon us, but we thought we would squeeze in one more of our Autumn menu highlights for our families.    Working closely with Centre Cook Hollie Jones from Aussie Kindies Torquay, we are excited to provide a nutritious meal that could be lunch ...

Milestones Community Spirit in Action for Fighter Frankie

Our amazing team at Milestones Early Learning Blair Athol held an early Australia's Biggest Morning Tea on 19th May in honour of their beloved 'Fighter Frankie' to raise funds to support him as he fights Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Donate - GoFundMe Learn More About Milestones ...

Families Count Down Launch of Papilio Early Learning Tamworth

Our brand new Papilio Early Learning Centre in Tamworth is due to open within weeks and has almost 200 families ready to enrol on day one!  Call Now Learn More About Papilio Early Learning Tamworth Channel 7 Prime shared the news - View on Facebook ...

The Best Start – Lifelong Learning Curriculum For your Baby

The Lifelong Learning Healthy Beginnings Curriculum for babies birth-1-year-olds emphasises the establishment of secure attachments and positive relationships between babies and educators through the use of Circle of Security and learning zones focused on play schemas that support babies' physical and intellectual development. Our qualified ...

Happy Mothers Day 2023

Mother's Day can be such an important day for the families at our centres. This Mother's Day, our centres throughout Australia, celebrated this special day with their enrolled children and their mothers and mother figures. This day was marked with a range of exciting and ...

Autumn Menu – Raspberry, Coconut + Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding 

As we race through Autumn, we are excited to provide another recipe straight from our Centre Cooks to your table!   Our centres are focused on providing all the children in our care with healthy and nutritious meals or snacks that have been designed to provide ...

Healthy Eaters through Food Exploration

Food exploration in a positive environment shows a reduced risk of children becoming picky eaters.   Call Now Research shows that introducing new foods to your child within the first two years and before age four is crucial in nurturing a love of healthy and diverse ...

Lifelong Learning Curriculum – Is Here!

Affinity Education Group is excited to announce the launch of the Lifelong Learning Curriculum, available at all Milestones, Papilio, Kids Academy and Aussie Kindies childcare centres across Australia.  Call Now CCS Estimator Our Lifelong Learning Curriculum is Australia's most progressive approach to early education for ...

What does the new Child Care Subsidy mean for families?

What does the new Child Care Subsidy mean for families?   From 10 July 2023, the Australian Government will be increasing the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) rates for families within Australia, resulting in reduced gap fees for your family.   Call Now CCS Estimator What you ...

Purpose Built for Quality Education – Papilio Early Learning Tamworth

We are proud to announce Papilio Early Learning Tamworth will be open for fun and learning in early 2023! Papilio Early Learning Tamworth,  is our second purpose-built centre in New South Wales, following the development of Papilio Early Learning Schofields which opened in April 2022. ...

Aussie Kindies North Ipswich – Defiant in the face of Disaster

Affinity Education Group and the entire team at Milestones Early Learning North Ipswich (previously known as Aussie Kindies North Ipswich) are excited to announce the reopening of the flood affected centre, with not only a new facelift but also a new name, for early 2023! The Southeast Queensland ...

Egg’citing fun at Papilio Early Learning Centres

This month our centres are celebrating Egg'citing April by creating Easter based activities that are designed to provide meaningful learning opportunities and of course have fun! This week one of our NSW based centres, Papilio Early Learning North Strathfield Orange organised sensory based activities, an Easter hunt ...

Tummy Time is an essential activity for a baby’s development

Tummy Time is an essential activity for a baby's development and is a regularly encouraging exercise for our centres 0-1 children in our Nursery rooms. Tummy Time is the activity of placing your baby on their tummy for short periods which over time aids in ...

Happy Grandparents Day

Sunday the 30th of October was Grandparents Day and marks the last day of Seniors month. Our centres have been celebrating to show our appreciation for all grandparents in our communities, and those, past and present, that play an active role in our children's lives. ...

Autumn Menu – Butter Chicken

Our centres are focused on providing all the children in our care, with healthy and nutritious meals or snacks that have been designed to provide your child with a balanced diet whilst in our care. Working with our centre cooks, in line with, feedAustralia - ...

Future Scientists! Big Thinkers STEM program now available

What is Big Thinkers STEM? Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) has always played a vital role in the development of our Lifelong Learning Curriculum for children aged 3 to 5 years old. Recently, Affinity Education Group have released the Lifelong Learning Curriculum "Big Thinkers ...

Harmony Day at Papilio Early Learning Bella Vista

Our centres celebrated Harmony Day by creating activities designed to provide meaningful learning opportunities whilst having fun! This week one of our NSW-based centres, Papilio Early Learning Bella Vista, organised a variety of activities across the age groups, including a coloured rice and legume sensory ...

Our Newest Village Of Little Learners – Kids Academy Springfield

We are excited to announce Kids Academy Springfield will be hosting its Grand Opening on the 6th of March to a new village of little learners and their families! Kids Academy Springfield, located at 6 Meadow Road, Springfield in New South Wales, will be opening ...

Holi – Festival of Colours

Our centres celebrated Holi by creating festival of colours based activities that are designed to provide meaningful learning opportunities, whilst having fun! Last week one of our QLD-based centres, Papilio Early Learning Robina, organized Holi for the children. The children loved Holi as it promotes ...

IWD recognition for Shining Star Noopur Lakhera

Papilio Early Learning Wakerley is thrilled to have been recognised by Affinity Education Group for the work of their Early Childhood Teacher Noopur Lakhera in providing equitable opportunities for children in the Kindergarten classroom. Affinity's QLD State Manager Caz Laramy provided the recognition on a national International Womens ...

Kindamindi Transforms to Milestones Warana

After some 13 years as Kindamindi Warana, this much-loved Sunshine Coast-based childcare centre has just transformed into Milestones Early Learning & Kindergarten Warana. On Monday, 17th April, Minister Andrew Wallace attended Milestones Early Learning Warana to present the centre with a set of Australian, Australian ...

The Importance of Loose Parts Play

Loose parts play allows children to turn everyday items into anything their imagination creates - from wooden blocks, leaves, acorns, and cotton wool - endless options! As babies and toddlers start to explore, they'll often use all of their senses (especially touch and taste) to ...

Benefits of Gardening with Children

We're all aware of the benefits of fresh air and the outdoors, but did you know involving children in simple gardening practices has many benefits too? Gardening can benefit children of all ages by providing a great opportunity to learn and equipping them with critical ...

Aussie Kindies Support Variety’s ‘Hair with Heart’

Inspired by young Chloe Guiney's mission to help children with disabilities who recently took the chop as part of Variety's Hair with Heart initiative, Aussie Kindies Early Learning Kyabram has hosted a week of crazy hair days in December. Chloe's commitment to the initiative saw ...

Summer Program Sessions

Your child is invited to join us during our Summer Program! Throughout December, we have planned additional exciting activities to help your child continue their early learning journey whilst benefiting from a rich variety of learning opportunities. In addition to our normal daily programs, our ...

The Importance Of Outdoor Play: Learning In Action

From nursery to five years old the importance of exploration in a child's development is paramount to their emotional, physical, social, language and cognitive growth. Exploration is not all about providing an environment to allow them to run free… but an area that is safe, ...

Celebrating Early Childhood Educators Day

Today, Early Childhood Educators Day, is a very special day for our community. It's an opportunity to celebrate and thank our teachers and educators for their dedication and commitment to ensuring high-quality early learning opportunities for all children. Our community is proud to have more ...
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Explore Current Opportunities

Each day, you’ll have the opportunity to inspire and shape the young minds of children. The impact you can make is enriching, and this career choice offers endless opportunities and pathways.

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Study with Affinity Education

The Affinity Learning Academy, by Affinity Education provides internal professional development, plus nationally recognised qualifications in early childhood education and business with preferred RTO’s.

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Be brave, Make change
*Artwork by Wayde Clarke

Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Affinity Education community acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land sea and community.

Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Affinity Education community acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land sea and community.

We pay our respect to their elders past and present and the extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples today.

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