Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right childcare service is crucial for your child’s early development.
We’re sure you have questions! Here we’ve listed answers for the most common questions we receive.
Our Centres
Kool Kidz provides care from Monday to Friday, starting bright and early at 6:30 am until 6:30 pm. Please note that Kool Kidz Preston opens at 7:00 am instead of 6:30 am like our other services.
Kool Kidz is only closed on Victorian public holidays. We’re here to provide regular care for your child on weekdays throughout the year, with the exception of these dates.
Kool Kidz open during the school holidays with the exception of public holidays when we take a break.
Availability varies by centre, age groups and days. For the most current information, contact your preferred centre directly. Our team is ready to discuss availability, enrolment options, and specific requirements.
Preference is always given to families with children who already attend the centre. After that the waitlist is based on the day and room availability. It helps if you are flexible with the days you request. In the event that there is no availability at the service Kool Kidz follows Priority of Access Guidelines.
No, we exclusively provide long-day care from 6.30 am until 6.30 pm.
Our care hours are Monday to Friday, from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm.
Daily Fees and Child Care Subsidy
Daily fees vary by centre. For specific information and to find your preferred centre here. Feel free to reach out directly to the chosen centre for assistance.
Claiming the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is through Centrelink directly and you can do this through your MyGov account. To estimate your subsidy, use our Child Care Subsidy calculator.
The Child Care Subsidy operates on a sliding scale based on your household income as well as your level of activity. The more income, the less assistance, and vice versa. Explore your entitlements with our Child Care Subsidy calculator to determine the support you can receive. We’re here to help you navigate the process.
Our Team
At Kool Kidz, each centre is owned by an Approved Provider who operates under our franchise model. The Approved Provider is based at the centre and is available for you to meet. We encourage you to connect with them, ask any questions you may have, and to get to know the person overseeing the operations of the centre. Your satisfaction and confidence in our management is essential, and we want to make your experience with Kool Kidz exceptional.
At Kool Kidz, the Approved Provider is actively involved in maintaining the high standards of our childcare services. They are responsible for hiring and managing all staff at the centre. This ensures a direct approach to supervising our dedicated team, guaranteeing that your child receives the best possible care and attention.
At Kool Kidz, our ratios are calculated across the entire service, not limited to individual rooms. This flexibility allows us to allocate educators appropriately based on the age and needs of all children. In a mixed-age group, ratios are maintained for each age range without restricting educators to specific age groups. For children under 36 months, our educator to child ratio is 1:4. For those aged 36 months and up to and including preschool age, the ratio is 1:11.
Ensuring your child’s safety is a top priority at Kool Kidz. Our staff undergo comprehensive screening before employment, including police checks, working with children checks, and mandatory training in Child Safe Standards. We take every measure to build a team you can trust, providing a secure and caring environment for your child’s well-being and development.
At Kool Kidz, our dedicated staff bring a wealth of expertise. All team members are at a minimum working towards a Certificate III level qualification in Early Childhood Education. Our funded 3 & 4 year old Kindergarten programs are led by qualified teachers. We believe in ongoing professional development, and our staff are encouraged to upgrade their early childhood qualifications, ensuring they provide the best care and education for your child.
At Kool Kidz, we work to achieve a balanced and inclusive team with a mix of older and younger carers, as well as both men and women. It’s important to note that this balance may vary slightly from centre to centre, but our commitment to providing a rich, diverse environment remains consistent. Embracing differences enhances your child’s experience, creating a vibrant community and a well-rounded approach to care and education.
Embracing diversity is a fundamental part of our ethos at Kool Kidz. We take pride in having a team across a broad spectrum of ethnic backgrounds, enriching the cultural diversity at our centres. While diversity may vary from one centre to another, we remain committed to an inclusive environment.
At Kool Kidz, your feedback is valued. If you have any concerns or complaints, please share them with the Approved Provider either verbally or in writing as soon as possible. This ensures a quick and discreet resolution, respecting privacy guidelines. Your input helps us maintain our high-quality service. If, for any reason, your concern feels unresolved, you can contact the Department of Education and Training for further assistance. We’re committed to addressing your feedback promptly and ensuring a positive experience for everyone.
At Kool Kidz, we prioritise continuity of care to ensure that your child forms strong bonds with their educators. We strive to keep children with the same educator for as long as possible, building familiarity and trust. While occasional changes may occur due to staff changes or other factors, we make every effort to maintain consistency in your child’s team of educators. Our goal is to provide a stable environment where your child feels supported by familiar faces, enhancing their overall well-being and development.
Enrolments & Orientation
To modify or cancel your child’s scheduled days, please provide us with four weeks’ written notice. This allows us to accommodate your needs smoothly and ensures the best care for your child.
We recommend two 1-hour sessions, one with parents in the room and the other without, allowing time for parents to complete the paperwork and bond payment. You can have up to five orientation visits if you wish. It’s a great way to get acquainted with our educators and to ensure a smooth transition for your child. These sessions ensure that your child is comfortable in the environment with their new educators and also provides the educators with an opportunity to speak to you about how they can support your child’s individual needs.
Our Curriculum
At Kool Kidz, we wholeheartedly embrace the Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) as the foundation of our educational approach. Our Kool Beginnings Curriculum (KBC) is designed to align with the principles and objectives outlined in the EYLF, ensuring that every child receives the best possible learning experiences.
Through our KBC, children engage in play-based learning that nurtures their curiosity, creativity, and social skills. Our curriculum comprises of 12 carefully crafted blocks, each offering an array of experiences across various learning domains. From developing early literacy and numeracy skills to promoting social-emotional development, we strive to ensure a child’s holistic growth.
Our Kindergarten programs also follow the Kool Beginnings Curriculum along with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYDLF).
Kool Kidz offers a comprehensive Kool Beginnings Curriculum, covering various developmental areas to enrich children’s learning experiences:
- My Connections: Celebrating diversity and recognising similarities and celebrating differences in cultures and communities.
- Let’s Pretend: Fostering imagination and role-play to encourage questioning and identity development.
- Build It: Providing materials for construction activities to enhance math concepts and problem-solving skills.
- Art Expression: Using art materials for creative expression, improving fine motor skills and pencil grips.
- My Five Senses: Exploring sensory experiences to support effective sensory processing and foundational skills.
- Kidz Lab: Promoting scientific discovery and experimentation in our learning spaces.
- Me, Myself & I: Developing social and emotional skills, autonomy, resilience, and self-regulation.
- The World & The Environment: Encouraging sustainability awareness and understanding of natural environments.
- Active Healthy Bodies: Providing balanced nutrition and active play areas to promote physical development.
- Rhythm & Melodies: Using music to enhance listening, coordination, language, and creativity.
- Letters & Words: Fostering literacy and language skills through reading, dramatic play, and print materials.
- Numbers: Developing numeracy skills through engaging play experiences like patterns, counting, sorting, and shapes.
Additionally, each centre offers incursions such as sport and music programs to further enrich your child’s learning journey.
The Kool Kidz curriculum, known as the Kool Beginnings Curriculum, is designed to cater to children from 6 weeks to 6 years old. This comprehensive curriculum is structured to provide developmentally appropriate activities and experiences for each age group.
For infants and toddlers, the curriculum focuses on fostering early sensory exploration, motor skill development, and social-emotional growth through activities such as sensory play, tummy time, and interactive games. As children grow older, the curriculum evolves to include more complex learning opportunities that support cognitive development, language acquisition, and school readiness.
Through a combination of structured learning blocks, including activities centred around art, science, literacy, numeracy, music, and physical activity, the Kool Beginnings Curriculum ensures that children of all ages are engaged, challenged, and supported in their learning.
The Kool Beginnings Curriculum is created with a foundation based on the Early Years Learning Framework, National Quality Standards, and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. These frameworks provide a thorough educational framework that guides the development of our programs, ensuring they are not only educational but also aligned with best practices in early childhood education.
At Kool Kidz we offer play-based learning opportunities throughout the day. This means that the entire day, including routines such as meal times or nappy changes are opportunities for learning. While it may sometimes look like free play, activities are carefully developed by qualified educators to support children’s learning. Educator’s will extend activities through intentional teaching strategies that ensure each child is working towards achieving their individual goals.
At Kool Kidz, we provide a wide range of engaging activities to broaden your child’s experiences beyond what they might encounter at home. From painting and water play to collage making and enjoying our sandpit, we aim to create a stimulating environment where children can explore, learn, and have fun. Our team ensure that each activity is not only enjoyable but also contributes to your child’s development. They get the added bonus of social interaction as they get to experience this with other children too.
Play-based learning provides numerous benefits in child’s development. It allows them to explore their interests, abilities, and boundaries in a fun and engaging manner. Through play, children develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking abilities as they imagine, investigate, and experiment. Furthermore, play build social skills as children interact with peers, learning cooperation, communication, and how to handle conflict.
A Day in the Life
At Kool Kidz, we believe that every child deserves a peaceful nap, rest, or relaxation when they feel tired. We follow guidelines from professional industry bodies, such as SIDS, ensuring the utmost safety and well-being of each child.
Respecting individual preferences, we accommodate children’s sleeping requests as long as they don’t pose any risk. Our record-keeping includes detailed sleeping times, accessible to families.
We support children in developing their own self-settling strategies, creating a positive and secure sleep environment tailored to each child’s unique needs.
At Kool Kidz, we believe that every child deserves a peaceful nap, rest, or relaxation when they feel tired. We follow guidelines from professional industry bodies, such as SIDS, ensuring the utmost safety and well-being of each child.
Respecting individual preferences, we accommodate children’s sleeping requests as long as they don’t pose any risk. Our record-keeping includes detailed sleeping times, accessible to families.
We support children in developing their own self-settling strategies, creating a positive and secure sleep environment tailored to each child’s unique needs.
At Kool Kidz, we have a caring and skilled team dedicated to helping your child feel at home. Our experienced staff approach each situation with kindness and compassion. Additionally, we offer an orientation program where parents can actively participate in settling their children. This not only helps your child adjust to the new environment but also fosters a strong bond with their educator. We understand the importance of a smooth transition, and our team is here to support both you and your child every step of the way.
We understand the importance of quiet play to support children’s individual needs. Our dedicated room leaders and educators collaborate to create cosy spaces, such as book areas or quiet corners, where children can engage in peaceful activities.
At Kool Kidz, we believe in fostering positive and relaxed food routines for every child. Our dedicated educators take the time to support children during their meals. We not only encourage healthy eating habits, but also allow children to enjoy their food at their own pace. We understand the importance of individual preferences, and our goal is to make every dining experience enjoyable.
At Kool Kidz, we offer a wholesome menu that includes breakfast, morning tea, a delicious two-course lunch, afternoon tea, and a late snack. Our scheduled meal times are flexible, and it’s important to note that they may vary from room to room, allowing us to cater to the unique needs of each child. Should they be hungry outside these times, we’re always ready to provide nourishing snacks to keep your child energised and satisfied throughout the day. Extra food is readily available at meal times and snack times to meet the hunger needs of your little ones. Each room has a snack box accessible by educators to provide food to children at any time they are hungry.
At our centres, we take great pride in offering a diverse and age-appropriate selection of toys and books to cater to the different interests and developmental stages of all children. From interactive toys that promote cognitive development to imaginative play items that spark creativity, we ensure there’s something for everyone. Our extensive collection of books covers various genres and topics, encouraging both a love for reading and literacy development. We regularly refresh and update our toys and books.
Food & Nutrition
We understand that children may have unique dietary needs based on allergies, intolerances, cultural preferences, or family lifestyles. Both during enrolment and on an ongoing basis, families can share written details about their child’s dietary requirements.
If a child has food allergies, we strictly adhere to dietary restrictions and ensure all educators caring for the child are well-informed.
At Kool Kidz, we understand that each child is unique and may have specific dietary needs due to allergies, food intolerance, cultural preferences, or family lifestyle choices. Families are encouraged to share written details of their child’s dietary requirements during enrolment.
Our experienced chef will provide your child with an alternative that is suitable for your child.
At Kool Kidz, we focus on meeting the nutritional needs of your child with our carefully planned, usually 4 weeks, rotating seasonal menu. This menu includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and a late snack, ensuring at least 50% of the recommended daily dietary intake, aligning with Australian Dietary Guidelines.
Our diverse range of meals are displayed near the kitchen and on the Kool Konnect app for your convenience and feedback. The menu undergoes regular reviews, considering input from children, educators, and families to keep it engaging and nutritious.
At Kool Kidz, we adhere to a comprehensive nutrition policy known as the Kool Kidz Healthy Eating Policy. This policy is based on the latest ‘Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia.’
To ensure the safety of all children, we are unable to allow families to bring external food for birthday celebrations at Kool Kidz. This precaution is essential, particularly for children with allergies. However, we celebrate birthdays creatively within our facility. Our dedicated team often work with the children to bake a special cake, allowing children to be actively involved with special occasions.
We educate children on the importance of staying hydrated, and to support this, water is not only offered but readily available for children all day. Each child has access to their own water bottle, ensuring they can satisfy their thirst whenever they need to.
At Kool Kidz, our dedicated educators ensure that every mealtime experience develops healthy eating practices for your child. From setup to cleanup, we maintain a hygienic and enjoyable atmosphere. Additionally, we encourage our older children to actively participate in the cleanup process, fostering a sense of responsibility and teamwork during these moments.
We understand that every child has their own unique preferences and appetite. To ensure no one goes hungry, we have extra food readily available during meal times and snack times. Each room is equipped with a snack box that our educators can access to provide food to children whenever they are hungry.
Kool Kidz provides all the food. Our curriculum promotes “Active Healthy Bodies,” emphasising nutritious choices. We follow the Dietary Guidelines, offering a diverse menu with fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, meats, dairy, and water. For younger children, we can adjust textures on advice from parents. Our rotating seasonal menu ensures a mix of nutritious foods.
Kool Community
Kool Kidz promotes cultural diversity in childcare through inclusive and anti-bias practices, as outlined in our Diversity and Equity Policy. We strive to achieve equal relations among nationalities, races, religions, genders, and additional needs. Our goals include fostering self-awareness, confidence, and positive social identities, as well as promoting comfort and joy with human diversity. We aim to cultivate recognition of unfairness and empower children and educators to act against prejudice and discrimination. Our commitment extends to all stakeholders, and we actively support principles of inclusion, mutual respect, and equitable treatment for all.
At Kool Kidz, we create a warm and welcoming environment where children feel comfortable and valued, helping them see our centre as an extension of their home. Through positive interactions, supportive relationships, and fun activities, we want every child to feel connected and respected by their educators and peers.
Quality Childcare
The National Quality Framework, overseen by ACECQA (Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority), is Australia’s system for regulating early learning and school-age care. It encompasses legislation, national quality standards, sector profiles, data, and a learning framework. It is designed to ensure a high standard of care and education for your child.
Yes, all our centres undergo assessment under the National Quality Framework, ensuring high standards of care. For new centres, assessment typically occur 9-18 months after they begin operating so a new service awaiting their assessment may hold a “Not Yet Assessed” rating.
Yes, each centre has an ongoing Quality Improvement Plan, ensuring continuous enhancement of our services. You can request a copy directly from your chosen centre. We are committed to transparency and continuous improvement and encourage family input in this process too.
Cleanliness & Safety
Safety is extremely important at Kool Kidz. Our centres utilise advanced security features, including finger and face recognition. Additionally, we have surveillance cameras in place to ensure a secure environment for your child.
At Kool Kidz, we prioritise compliance with childcare laws and regulations. While occasional accidents are inevitable with small children, incident reports serve as a tool for accountability, helping us address and prevent issues. By capturing and reviewing incidents we continually enhance our practices to ensure the safety and well-being of your child.
Guided by our Emergency and Evacuation Policy, we conduct regular, documented emergency drills every three months. These drills encompass evacuation and lockdown procedures, ensuring both educators and children are well-prepared for emergencies. Our focus on safety includes easily accessible emergency exits, marked with evacuation plans, and proper installation of fire extinguishers and fire blankets. Regular testing of smoke alarms ensures that we are fully prepared. Through thorough induction and training, our educators, including casual and relief staff, contribute to maintaining a safe and secure environment. Confidence and readiness are key aspects of our commitment to safety.
At Kool Kidz, we recognise and promote effective hand washing to prevent the spread of germs. Our dedicated hand washing areas feature informative posters on how to wash hands correctly and when to do so. We ensure that all children and staff have easy access to adequate hand washing facilities, complete with soap and paper towels. We provide sanitiser throughout the service for your convenience too.
Your child’s well-being is our top priority at Kool Kidz. We enforce immunisation requirements by checking vaccination status during enrolment. Families are kindly reminded of upcoming vaccination milestones to ensure compliance. Our commitment aligns with the NO JAB, NO PLAY legislation effective from 1st January 2016, supporting government efforts to manage infectious illnesses.
It’s important to note that immunisation is compulsory for enrolling children, and we require evidence of their Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register. Exclusion guidelines apply in the rare event of a confirmed case of a preventable disease outlined in the current National Immunisation Program Schedule (NIPS).
In the event of a contagious illness within the centre, we will keep you informed. Families receive updates promptly through both email and our Kool Konnect App. Your child’s health and safety are our priorities, and we ensure regular communication to address your concerns and keep all children safe.
At Kool Kidz, each room is equipped with a dedicated bathroom adjoining their space, featuring child-friendly toilets and sinks at a lower height.
Our dedicated team maintains these facilities, conducting regular cleaning routines throughout the day.
We understand the importance of sun safety for your child. At Kool Kidz, our outdoor areas are strategically designed to provide ample shade. This means your child can enjoy outdoor play while still being protected from the sun’s rays.
At Kool Kidz, children are required to wear hats and sunscreen whenever they are outdoors and the UV level exceeds 3. Kool Kidz provides both hats and sunscreen to ensure your child enjoys outdoor activities safely. We take every measure to protect your child from the sun’s rays while they have a great time at our centre.
Our centres undergo thorough cleaning daily to ensure a safe and hygienic environment for your child. We adhere to strict cleaning protocols based on the latest research to minimise the spread of germs effectively. Our Approved Providers oversee the implementation and maintenance of these high standards to guarantee the utmost cleanliness at all times.
Toys at our centres are thoroughly cleaned after every use to ensure a safe and hygienic environment for your child. We follow strict cleaning protocols with our cleaning practices regularly reviewed and monitored by our Approved Providers, ensuring that we maintain the highest standards of cleanliness.
If your child is feeling unwell, rest assured that Kool Kidz has strict policies in place to safeguard all children and educators. We’ll promptly give you a call, update you on the situation, and may ask you to pick up your child as soon as you can.
In the case of an accident, causing injury, parents will be promptly notified of all incidents involving their child. You’ll also be asked to sign an Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Record, ensuring transparency and keeping you informed about any incidents concerning your child while in our care.
Our dedicated staff at Kool Kidz are trained to administer medication with great attention to detail, meticulous record-keeping, teamwork, and clear procedures. Medication is given strictly following our Administration of Medication Policy, in accordance with parent or guardian authorisation and legislative guidelines.
Regarding Paracetamol/Ibuprofen, while they can provide relief, it’s important to note that they only mask symptoms and do not cure the underlying cause of pain or fever. If a child’s temperature rises above 38°C, we have a supply of Paracetamol available for administration. If needed, we will seek parental authorisation and arrange for the child’s collection within one hour to ensure their well-being.
Yes. Upon enrolment, parents/guardians provide consent for our educators to seek and administer emergency medical treatment when necessary. Our qualified educators, working directly with children, maintain up-to-date first aid qualifications. Fully stocked first aid kits are regularly checked across our centres. In the event of any incident, injury, trauma, or illness, we’ll promptly contact parents/guardians or emergency contacts to keep them informed. Your peace of mind is important to us, and we are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all children in our care.
If your child isn’t feeling well, we’ll give you a call to keep you informed. In the case of illness, we may ask you to pick them up if their temperature exceeds 38 degrees or if your child is not well enough to remain at the service. Your child’s well-being is our priority, and we’ll ensure you stay updated on their health while they’re in our care. Additionally, parents will be promptly notified of any incidents involving their child and will be asked to sign an Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Record for our mutual records and transparency.
Code of Ethics
At Kool Kidz, your feedback is valued. If you have any concerns or complaints, please share them with the Approved Provider either verbally or in writing as soon as possible. This ensures a quick and discreet resolution, respecting privacy guidelines. Your input helps us maintain our high-quality service. If, for any reason, your concern feels unresolved, you can contact the Department of Education and Training for further assistance. We’re committed to addressing your feedback promptly and ensuring a positive experience for everyone.
Credentials & Licensing
Kool Kidz has comprehensive insurance coverage. We’ve taken all necessary steps to secure policies with reputable insurers, meeting the highest standards across the sector.
At Kool Kidz, our dedicated staff bring a wealth of expertise. All team members are at a minimum working towards a Certificate III level qualification in Early Childhood Education. Our funded 3 & 4 year old Kindergarten programs are led by qualified teachers. We believe in ongoing professional development, and our staff are encouraged to upgrade their early childhood qualifications, ensuring they provide the best care and education for your child.
