Frequently Asked Questions

Children typically begin care between 3-6 months of age, although this can vary depending on each family’s individual needs and circumstances. Some children commence care around 12 months of age or later, while others may start at different stages based on family requirements.

Yes, we welcome Kindergarten-aged children at Gaia’s Nest. Our Kinder Bears room is generally made up of children transitioning from our younger rooms, allowing them to continue building on familiar relationships, routines and learning experiences within our nurturing environment.

Our current daily fee is $145.00 per day. Fees may vary over time, so we encourage families to contact us for the most up-to-date information and to discuss their individual circumstances.

Yes, eligible families can receive the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to help reduce the cost of early childhood education and care. Families will need to apply through Centrelink to determine their eligibility.

To receive the subsidy, children must meet the Australian Government’s immunisation requirements.

We invite you to visit Gaia’s Nest, meet our educators, explore our environment and experience the atmosphere of our service firsthand. During your visit, you can observe how the children engage in their surroundings, the relationships they share with educators, and the sense of belonging within our community.

Choosing the right early learning service is a very personal decision, and we believe families will know when they find a place that feels right for their child and their family.

Gaia’s Nest is open Monday to Friday, from 7:00am to 6:00pm. Our hours are designed to support families with flexible, quality early childhood education and care throughout the day. We are closed on public holidays.

Our Kinder Bears program is guided by each child’s interests, curiosity and individual learning journey. Educators support children’s inquiries by providing meaningful, age-appropriate experiences, intentional teaching opportunities and engaging resources that encourage exploration, creativity and problem-solving.

Through our nurturing environment, children develop confidence, independence, social skills and a love of learning, supporting a smooth transition to school while building on the foundations established throughout their early years.

Your child will be immersed in a flexible, nurturing learning environment where they are supported by skilled and passionate Early Childhood Education and Care professionals. Throughout the day, children engage in a balance of child-led play, intentional teaching experiences and opportunities to explore, create, investigate and connect with others.

Our thoughtfully prepared learning spaces and multiple 'yes' spaces encourage children to extend their confidence, follow their interests, develop independence and build meaningful relationships within their environment.

Each day includes opportunities to connect with nature through experiences such as Circle Time, bush walks and play within our natural surroundings. Children are also invited to participate in a range of sensory-rich experiences including cooking, painting, reading, singing and storytelling, supporting their development across all areas of learning while nurturing curiosity, creativity and a sense of wonder.

Yes, we provide fully compostable nappies for children in our care. These nappies are responsibly disposed of through a commercial composting service, supporting our commitment to sustainable practices.

Families are also welcome to purchase our compostable nappies and bin bags if they would like to use them at home. These can be returned to Gaia’s Nest and placed in our compostable bins on the premises for appropriate disposal.

No, Gaia’s Nest operates as a lunch box service, with families providing food for their child each day. We encourage families to use Bento-style lunch boxes, which support healthy eating habits, offer a variety of food choices and help reduce waste.

We value the opportunity for children to develop independence and positive relationships with food through shared mealtimes and conversations around nutrition and wellbeing.

We ask families to pack enough food to support their child through an active day of learning and play. This includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a piece of fruit to share with the group. If required, families may also pack breakfast or dinner for their child.

For children who are still using nappies, we ask families to provide one home-time nappy for us to change your child into at the end of the day, allowing us to maintain our nappy belt supply for care hours.

Children should also bring several changes of clothes to allow for messy play, water experiences and changes in weather. During winter, we recommend packing plenty of warm layers, a coat, raincoat, gumboots and a beanie to support children’s comfort while spending time outdoors.

During summer, children require a legionnaire-style or wide-brimmed sun hat for sun protection. If your child has an allergy or sensitivity to sunscreen, please provide a suitable sunscreen for your child to use while at Gaia’s Nest.

Yes, children can attend Gaia’s Nest while also participating in another Kindergarten program during the same year. We encourage families to choose the arrangement that best supports their child’s individual needs, learning journey and family circumstances.

We understand that waiting for a place can be challenging, and we appreciate your patience. Once a position becomes available that matches your family’s needs, we will be in contact with you as soon as possible.

We encourage families to keep their contact details up to date and let us know if your circumstances or care requirements change while you are on the waitlist.

There are many websites that have some great recommendations.  Here are two for you:

Kids Lunchbox Recipes

Nutrition Australia: Kids Lunchbox ideas