Securing a spot at your preferred child care centre can feel like a race against time, especially with the growing demand for high-quality early learning. Whether you're looking to enrol your child right away or planning for the future, being prepared is key. In this guide, we’ll show you how to navigate the process smoothly and quickly, ensuring your child’s place at a centre that offers the best start for their education journey.
Why Acting Quickly is Important
Many popular child care centres, like those within Affinity Education, have limited spots that fill up fast. But don’t worry - by following the steps in this post, you can make sure you have everything in order to secure a place at your preferred centre.
Quick Checklist to Get Your Child Into Your Preferred Child Care Centre
To speed up the enrolment process, preparation is key. Here’s a step-by-step checklist of what you’ll need to organise to secure your child’s spot quickly.
1. Complete Child Care Enrolment Forms
Having all your enrolment documentation ready to go is the first step. This includes:
- Birth certificate or passport: Proof of your child’s age and identity.
- Proof of address: Some centres give priority to local residents.
- Emergency contact and medical information: Fill out forms detailing allergies, dietary needs, and emergency contacts.
Make sure you carefully complete all forms provided by the centre to avoid delays.
2. Check Your Child’s Vaccination Status
Australian child care centres require children to be up to date with their vaccinations. Before enrolling, make sure you can provide your child’s Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). This is crucial for ensuring compliance with national health and safety regulations.
If your child isn’t fully vaccinated, you'll need to provide a valid medical exemption.
3. Set Up Your Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) helps make child care more affordable for families. Before enrolling, follow these steps:
- Apply for CCS through MyGov.
- Confirm your CCS eligibility and subsidy percentage.
- Provide the centre with your CRN (Customer Reference Number) and your child’s CRN.
This will ensure that your subsidy is in place from day one, preventing unexpected costs.
4. Prepare Medical and Allergy Information
If your child has specific medical needs or allergies, be sure to:
- Submit anaphylaxis or allergy action plans from a healthcare provider.
- Provide details of any medications, with a signed medical management plan.
This ensures the centre can accommodate your child’s needs from the start.
5. Book a Tour at Your Preferred Child Care Centre
Once you have your documents ready, the next step is to book a tour of your preferred Affinity Education centre. A tour is a great opportunity to:
- Meet the educators.
- See the learning spaces.
- Ask questions about the curriculum, daily routine, and safety measures.
At Affinity Education, we welcome families to explore our centres and learn more about our exclusive Lifelong Learning Curriculum. Our team is here to help you understand how we can give your child the very best start in life.
Insider Tips to Speed Up the Enrolment Process
- Join the waiting list early. Even if you’re not ready to enrol immediately, joining the centre’s waiting list early can improve your chances of securing a spot. Affinity Education centres are in high demand, so this step is crucial.
- Follow up regularly. After submitting your forms, follow up with the centre to check on your application status. This can show your commitment and help ensure your child’s spot is secured as soon as possible.
- Be flexible with start dates. If you have flexibility with your child’s start date, mention this during the application process. Centres may have availability open up at different times, and being adaptable could help your chances.
- Apply to multiple centres. While you may have a top choice, it’s worth applying to a few other centres to keep your options open. Affinity Education operates over 240 centres across Australia under trusted brands like Milestones, Papilio, Kids Academy, and Aussie Kindies - each offering our renowned Lifelong Learning Curriculum.
What Happens Next?
Once you’ve submitted your paperwork and toured the centre, the enrolment team will contact you with the next steps. This may include orientation sessions to help your child transition smoothly into their new environment.
At Affinity Education, we go the extra mile to ensure your child feels comfortable from day one. Our centres focus on safety, education, and building strong relationships with families.
Secure Your Spot Today!
Getting organised early is the best way to secure a spot at your preferred child care centre. At Affinity Education, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Find your nearest centre and book a tour today, and discover why our centres are the perfect choice for your child’s early learning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You’ll need to provide a birth certificate, proof of address, immunisation history, and any relevant medical information.
You can apply for CCS through MyGov. Make sure you have your CRN and your child’s CRN ready to provide to the centre.
Affinity Education centres use food ID cards and placemats to identify children with allergies, and all meals are prepared with strict safety guidelines to ensure the health and safety of every child.
Ready to Start? Book a Tour Today!
Don’t wait - book a tour at one of our Affinity Education centres today and see how we can support your child’s early education journey.