Enrolment & Bookings
Enrolment:
All children must be enrolled with Kids Castle to make a booking. An annual registration fee of $30 per child applies. This fee covers membership from January to December and will be charged again when re-enrolling for the new year.
Bookings:
- Bookings can be made exclusively via email or through the Xplor Home App.
- Please be aware that places are limited, especially for excursion and incursion days, and bookings are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
- You can make bookings up to 3 days in advance of the selected day.
Cancellations:
- Cancellations to a vacation care booking must be made 5 business days in advance and no fees apply. After 5 business days, if it is possible to move the booking to another day within the SAME WEEK of the original booking date (pending availability), we will try to accommodate the change. However, no refunds will be provided.
- The vacation care program is subject to change based on booking numbers. The Kids Castle reserves the right to cancel care if booking numbers fall below 15 for day camp or incursion days, and below 30 for excursion days. We will endeavor to provide a minimum of 5 business days’ notice to families in such cases.
Fees & Direct Debit Payment
- An annual registration fee of $30 per child applies. This fee covers membership from January to December and will be charged again when re-enrolling for the new year.
- Please find the booking fees on the vacation care program session. If your child is absent or ill, you will still be charged for all dates booked.
- Kids’ Castle accept payment by direct debit only. Payments are processed on the Thursday of the booking week. Please ensure that there are sufficient funds in your nominate account for direct debit processing.
- Dishonour fees will apply with any outstanding fees, if the direct debit payment is declined by your nominated account.
Childcare Subsidy (CCS)
- CCS is available to eligible families.
- Parents must provide the Customer Reference Numbers (CRNs) of the primary carer and the child on the enrolment form, along with their name and dates of birth. They must match the record at Centrelink. Centrelink will not pay CCS if the primary carer at the Kids Castle membership is different from the primary carer registered at the Centrelink.
- Parents must approve the Child Care Agreement (CWA) on Xplor and confirm government enrolment through Centrelink Online before the booking start date.
- Please be aware that a late CCS application or a delay in confirming the CWA or government enrolment may jeopardize CCS payments.
- Until CCS payment is approved, parents are responsible for paying the full fees.
- For more information, please contact the Family Assistance Office (FAO) at 136 150.
Operating Hours & Sign-In/Out Procedures
- Operating Hours:
- Our Centre is open from 7:15 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Children will not be accepted before 7:15 AM and must be collected by 6:00 PM.
- Please note that the Centre is closed on public holidays.
- A late fee will apply: $15 for the first 15 minutes (or part thereof) and $1 for every additional minute after 6:00 PM. If you anticipate being late, please call the Centre at 0468 481 604.
- Sign In and Sign Out:
- As required by the Government, parents must sign their children in and out each day.
- This process is done via the Xplor touchscreen at the Centre. If you need assistance, please speak to our staff.
- Out of Centre Activities:
- Our staff cannot take children to or collect them from out-of-Centre activities such as swimming, sports, or music. Parents must sign their children out for these activities and back in upon return.
Illness, Accident & Medication
Sick Children:
- In accordance with regulations from the Department of Health, children with a contagious illness must not attend the Centre. If your child will not be attending due to illness, please notify Centre via email [email protected]
Medication Policy:
- Educators will only administer medication that has been prescribed by a doctor.
- Over-the-counter medications (e.g., Panadol, cough medicine) will only be given if accompanied by a doctor’s letter of authorization. This letter must include the child’s name, the dosage required, and the time to be administered.
- Parents must complete a medication form at the Centre before any medication can be administered.
Unwell Children:
- If a child is unwell during the day and unable to participate in activities, parents will be contacted to collect them.
- In the event of an accident requiring medical attention, children will be taken to the nearest medical facility as deemed necessary by the Centre Director or responsible person on duty. Parents will be notified as soon as possible.
Excursion
Children must arrive the centre by 8:30am for bus departure at 9am. Late arrival will not be accepted until the excursion group return to the centre after 3pm. Full day fee applied regardless of length of attendance.
Please be aware that purchases on excursion are not allowed, we kindly ask not to give money to the children.
What to Bring
- Food and Drinks:
- Morning Tea, Lunch, and Snacks: Provide substantial and nutritious meals to last the day. We recommend avoiding soft drinks and junk food. We do not serve hot water or add hot water to children’s food or cup noodle. If your child prefer hot food, please place lunch order at local shop and request order to be delivered to the Kids Castle by 1pm.
- Nut-Free Policy: Our Centre is “Nut Free,” which includes Nutella.
- Drink Bottle: A drink bottle is required each day.
- Breakfast: Light breakfast is provided from 7:15 AM to 8:30 AM.
- Afternoon Tea: Provided on day camp and incursion days only. On excursion days, children must bring their own afternoon tea. A fee of $20.00 will be charged if food is not provided for your child.
- Clothing and Gear:
- Hat: Children must wear a hat when playing outside, which including shaded or under cover area. If children do not have a hat, they will provide with a purple Kids Castle hat and the cost of the hat ($10) will be added to the family’s account.
- Spare Clothing: Shirt with sleeves, pants, socks and underwear.
- Prohibited Items: Children are not allowed to bring chewing gum, skateboards, roller blades, bikes, scooters, or devices (including iwatch or any electronic device that can make calls or video). Personal belongings and toys (including collectable items or cards) are the responsibility of the child. The Kids’ Castle will not be responsible for damaged or lost personal items.
- Label Everything: Please label all items brought to the Centre. Lost properties will kept in the lost property tub at the centre. All unclaimed items will be donated to charity at the end of the vacation care program.
- Additional Items:
- Some activities, particularly water play, may require extra items such as towel, rachies, spare clothes and shoes. Please check with the Centre for specifics.
What to Wear
Children should dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Children need to wear shirt with sleeves and closed toe shoes (trainer or running shoes). No open-toed sandals or Crocs, and no singlet tops or string dresses. Children without suitable clothing and footwear will not be accepted.
