Child care

Educator-to-child ratios

1:5 for infants under three years

1:15 for children over three years 

Session times

Session 1: 9:00am-10:30am

Session 2: 10:30am-12:00pm

Operating hours

Weekdays: 9:00am-12:00pm

Weekends: Closed

Public holidays: Closed

We may close for up to four weeks over the Christmas period.

Types of care

We offer two styles of care at Horsham Aquatic Centre: sessional care and occasional care.

• Sessional care: for parents and carers who are planning to stay within the centre while their child is in care.
• Occasional care: for parents and carers who would like to pursue activities outside the centre while their child is in care.

Bookings are a minimum of 1.5 hours for both types of child care.

Occasional care is available for parents who may require one or both session times and need to leave the centre, for example to attend an appointment, go shopping or even catch up with friends. 

The minimum booking time for occasional care is 1.5 hours.

The enrolment and booking process for occasional care is the same as our sessional care – just us know what style of child care you would like to arrange when you make a booking.

Enrolment

As part of the enrolment process, we recommend an orientation meeting with our Children's Service Coordinator to:

• give you a tour of the creche;
• check your enrolment form and supporting documents;
• discuss your child's needs and your expectations. 

This can be arranged at reception or by calling the centre during business hours.

Bookings

Once you have completed the enrolment process, you can make an online booking by submitting a booking request.

We use an online booking system called My Family Lounge. Booking requests are made by signing into your Family Lounge account, clicking 'new request' under the 'booking request' section. Please follow the guided four step process and click 'save' once completed.

Bookings can be made a week in advance. Bookings are essential and can be made on a casual or permanent basis. Please understand when using casual bookings that places may not always be available.

Fees must be paid when you book.

Cancellations

If possible, please give us 24 hours notice of cancellations. Where that's not possible, please let us know by 7:30am on the day of your booked session.

If cancellation occurs within 24 hours due to illness, we will offer a credit on presentation of a doctor's certificate.             

Bring all the things your child will need during their care. Please ensure all items are clearly labelled with your child's name. If your child is on medication, please hand this directly to staff when you arrive.

Infants and toddlers

• Bottle (with expressed milk, pre-made formula or cow's milk as required)
• Change of clothes
• Comfort item (soft toy or blanket) if required
• Dummy in sealed container if required
• Healthy snack or lunch
• Nappies, wipes and plastic bags
• Sleeping sheet set or blanket for nap time if required
• Sun-safe hat – we recommend the legionnaire style (brim at the front, flap at the back)
• Water bottle or sippy cup

Older children

• Change of clothes (some types of play may be messy)
• Extra pairs of underwear, especially if toilet training
• Healthy snack or lunch
• Sun-safe hat
• Water bottle

Do NOT bring

• Fizzy drinks, lollies or chocolates – unless specifically requested for a special celebration
• Nuts or Nutella – we have a nut-free policy to avoid anaphylaxis
• Pets – unless pre-arranged with the Childrens Services Coordinator
• Toys – unless they are comfort items. If you bring toys, we'll remove them and give them to you when you collect your child

Guidelines for child care

Help us run a safe and welcoming child care service by following our guidelines.

• Do not bring your child if they are unwell
• Ensure you bring all the things your child will need for the session
• Label all your child's belongings
• Sign in when you arrive and out when you leave

Prices for sessional care (for parents and carers using our facilities) and occasional care (for parents and carers leaving the facility) are the same. So you can access quality, affordable child care no matter what your plans are.

Late fees

We charge a fee for late collection of your child. The fee is $1.00 per minute, per family.

Paying fees

Fees can be paid by debit, cash or credit card at the centre.

Bookings are essential. Call us or come in and see one of our friendly staff.