Frequently asked questions

My fee is $141.30 a day, with a minimum booking of nine hours per day and two days per week. Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is available for eligible families.

Morning tea, afternoon tea and bed sheets for rest time are included.

Children also enjoy weekly cooking, gardening and themed birthday celebrations with decorations, party food, a small gift and party bags. Families provide a packed lunch each day.

Susan’s is open from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday. Fridays are available from January 2027.

If I’m unwell or can’t open, your child stays home with you and you’re not charged for that day.

You’re only charged when I’m open and your child can’t come. I also teach the children about washing their hands and keeping germs away, and I’ve only been off twice in nearly two years.

The Child Care Subsidy, or CCS, is help from the Australian Government with the cost of care. It’s available at Susan’s for eligible families. It’s paid straight to the service and taken off your fees, so you pay the difference.

How much you get depends on your family’s situation, including your income. You can check and apply through myGov, and Services Australia has the details.

Please let me know as soon as you can. Before you enrol, I’ll show you where to find the illness and absence policies, along with the terms for booked days, closures and notice periods.

Children arrive and settle into play from 8:00 am, followed by morning tea. Our hands-on learning experiences usually take place from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Lunch is around 11:30 am, and rest or quiet time is usually from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. We have afternoon tea around 2:15 pm, followed by more play before pick-up.

You can see the whole day, hour by hour.

Morning tea and afternoon tea are included, from a menu that changes each week, with things like fruit platters, yoghurt, toast, mini pancakes, banana bread, cheese and crackers, and vegetable sticks. Water and milk are offered too. Families pack a lunch each day.

Have a look at the full menu.

A packed lunch each day. Morning tea, afternoon tea and bed sheets for rest time are all included.

I adapt rest and quiet time to each child’s needs. Let me know about your child’s usual sleep or rest routine so we can talk about what will suit them.

Yes.

We’ll work together around your child’s readiness and your routines at home. I use gentle reminders and encouragement as children build confidence and independence.

Yes. Birthdays get a themed celebration, with decorations, party food, a small gift and party bags, and it’s all included in the fee.

Our program is screen-free and play-based. I plan activities around what the children are curious about and adapt them to suit their ages and interests. We cook together, try little science experiments, make garden discoveries, do art, sensory play and building, get moving outdoors, and enjoy stories, puppets and games.

There’s more on our play page.

Yes. The program at Susan’s is screen-free and play-based, so the day is filled with hands-on play, the garden, books and games.

We practise everyday skills such as looking after belongings, asking for help and joining a game.

Stories, puppets and pretend play give children a chance to try out what they might say in a new situation. We also explore letters, numbers and name writing through play.

Yes.

Past outings have included visits to the local park, the fire station and Smithfield Public School. In 2027, I’m hoping to add more outings, starting with playgroups at Miller TAFE and picnics at local botanic gardens.

I share details with families in advance and arrange the required permissions before each outing.

At my family day care, children have a real role in our Smithfield neighbourhood. They help care for our community garden, choose books to share in our street library and collect bottles and cans so our Return and Earn refunds can go to charity. We’ve even walked together to raise funds for Camp Quality.

I love seeing the pride children take in these little jobs. That’s the kind of belonging I want every child to feel here.

Before your child starts, I’ll ask about their routines, favourite activities and what comforts them.

If they miss you at drop-off, I’ll stay close, acknowledge how they feel and help them find something familiar to do. We’ll keep talking about what helps as they get to know me and the group.

Please tell me when you enquire. We’ll discuss what information and paperwork are needed and how I can support your child during meals, activities and outings.

Family day care groups are kept small by law.

An educator can look after up to seven children at a time, and no more than four of them can be under school age. At Susan’s, the older children are school-age kids who come for after-school or holiday care.

There is no CCTV at my home-based service. During your tour, I can show you the care spaces and explain how I supervise the children and communicate with families.

Susan’s looks after children from under 1 to 11 years old, and places for babies are limited. There’s day care for babies and toddlers, after-school care for Smithfield Public School and school holiday care for children from any school.

Yes.

I offer after-school care for Smithfield Public School, and school holiday care (often called vacation care) for children from any school. After-school care is $47.10 an afternoon, until 5pm, and holiday care is $141.30 a day for children aged 5 to 11.

Places are limited, so it’s best to let me know your dates as early as you can.

Family day care happens in an educator’s own home, so your child spends the day in a real home with one familiar educator and a small group of mixed ages.

An educator can look after up to seven children at a time, and no more than four of them can be under school age. A childcare centre has several educators, with ratios set for each age group.

The family day care guide has a side-by-side comparison.

Family day care is early education and care in an educator’s own home.

Your child spends the day in a real home with one familiar educator and a small group of other children. Every family day care educator is registered with an approved family day care service, and Susan’s is registered with Rainbow Bridge Family Day Care.

There’s more in the full guide to family day care.

Susan’s is registered with Rainbow Bridge Family Day Care, and enrolments go through Rainbow Bridge’s NSW enrolment process.

Susan’s is at 806 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield NSW 2164, and you’ll find it on Google Maps too.

Please do bring them along. It’s a nice way for your little one to meet me and have a look around with you close by.

Call or text me on 0451 201 076 with your child’s age, the days you need and your preferred start date. I’ll let you know what’s available and arrange a visit. Once we’ve agreed on care days and a start date, I’ll guide you through Rainbow Bridge’s NSW enrolment process.

You can also fill in the enquiry form.