Melbourne preschools: TOP 10 Preschools in Melbourne, FL

TOP 10 Preschools in Melbourne, FL

Recent preschool reviews in Melbourne, FL

Wickham KinderCare

Not enough information on Care. com

– Linda W

Hands On Learning Child Care

Happy children, happy teachers.

– Deborah A

Mustard Seed Kidz Child Development Center

I had your messages from KCRA
TV. Sacramento, may I have more information about your Org.

– Borden L

Small Wonders Preschool & Childcare Center

I went to tour this center today and I was amazed! The director was the nicest person ever! My daughter really loved the placed and didn’t want to leave! The teachers were also very nice and the place looks clean and organized! My daughter will definitely be enrolling here!

– Ana

Preschools in Melbourne, FL

Description:

Get set for a thrill-filled summer! Our age-specific, kid-approved camps add up to a season of discovery and fun for preschool to school-age children. This year, our 12 weeks of camps fall into six greatthemes: Mighty Bodies, Bendy Brains; Awesome Art; Gravity Galore and More; The Wondrous World of Food; Wild about Water; and Featured Creatures.
We’re in session when your local public schools are on break and you’ll find our flexible scheduling works for your busy family. See why our summer (and winter and spring) break camps are the place to be when school’s out….

Recent review:

Not enough information on Care. com

Reviewed by Linda W

Description:

Hands On Learning Child Care Center provides a safe and creative learning environment for working families. Children are our first priority and are treated with care and respect at all times by our trainedand licensed staff.
We offer flexible hours to fit around your schedule along with smaller group sizes to incorporate a more individualized learning experience.
Our program provides a child-centered environment with developmentally appropriate materials to increase innovation and encourage exploration and play through daily planned activities.
We incorporate a hands-on learning approach which requires children to become active participants while involving them in an effective learning experience that enhances their ability to think critically. We strive to make each day more exciting to produce a positive attitude towards learning….

Recent review:

Happy children, happy teachers.

Reviewed by Deborah A

Description:

After teaching in preschool facilities for 7 years, I have passed inspection for a home child care license to provide high-quality direct care for children in my home. I will have 6 children ranging in ages 6weeks to 5 years (including my daughter) with possibly 4 school-age children during summer or school closures. My home is organized to be a functioning preschool environment with bountiful indoor and outdoor play-learning opportunities. I will also maintain a weekly lesson plan that includes adaptions for all age groups to participate in arts, music, language, literacy, math, science, and gross motor learning domains. We have pets (be cautious of allergies), and require families to provide a lunch box with packed meals & snacks. We are open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Full time weekly rates and part time days-per-week rates are available. Schedules must be reserved and payment is advance of care….

Description:

Space Coast Discovery, formerly Space Coast Early Intervention Center, is Brevard’s premier preschool for children with and without special needs. Located in Melbourne, Florida, our unique inclusive programensures equal learning opportunities for all children, regardless of ability. Our goal is to provide children with the academic and social skills needed to succeed in life. We offer full and part-time preschool programs for children beginning at age 6 weeks to 4th grade. In addition, we also have after-school care and a summer program for our students….

Description:

Brevard Christian School offers center-based and full-time child care and early education services designed for young children. Located at 1100 Dorchester Ave, the company serves families living in theMelbourne, FL area. Brevard Christian School is open from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M….

Description:

At SCEIC, large classroom spaces, small student to teacher ratios, access to therapists and handicap accessible equipment are integrated to create individualized plans for each child to best fit his/hereducational need. Typically developing and gifted students act as Role Models for those with disabilities in their classes and each child is able to learn at his/her own pace with unique goals based on individual abilities.
Children of varying abilities are placed in classrooms by age (1, 2 and 3 year olds) where they work together with their teachers and therapists to ensure they meet age appropriate milestones in cognitive, gross and fine motor, language, social/emotional and sensory integration skills.
SCEIC partners with the State of Florida to provide free Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten to children of all abilities. Our high quality program is designed to make certain that every child has the social, emotional, and educational skills they need to succeed in elementary school.
Our aftercare program is designed to provide stimulating interactive learning activities for elementary age children, this inclusive program offers children with mental, physical and social delays and their typical peers opportunities to engage in meaningful creative learning activities in a structured but fun, safe and non-stressful environment.
Parents need recess too, especially moms and dads with special needs children. Finding quality childcare for special children can sometimes be difficult. Twice monthly, Project Recess offers parents of SCEIC students the opportunity to drop off their children for a little down time, with the assurance that their child is safe and well cared for. Children with and without disabilities are welcomed.
Brain training improves how the brain thinks, learns, and remembers. It changes the brain not for a single class or academic year, but for every class and in every area of life from now on. Brain training strengthens the connections your brain uses in a fun, enjoyable setting. Our students, who range from 5 to 85, receive individualized attention, working one-on-one with a Brain Trainer….

Description:

Dairy Road Discovery Center provides preschool, VPK and Before and After School Care programs for families in the Melbourne and West Melbourne area.

Bear Hugs

365 East Dr, Melbourne, FL 32904

Costimate: $157/wk

Description:

Bear Hugs located in Melbourne, FL has been in the business since 1987. They offer child care service to children from 6 weeks to 12 years old children. Their programs are consisting of toddler, preschool,school-age, summer camps and before/after school care. They created a home like environment for children to feel comfortable while beginning their journey to early childhood development. It is open on weekdays from 6:00a.m.6:30p.m….

Description:

Learning Tracks, LLC is an early educational facility located in Melbourne, Florida. It aims to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment for children two years old and above. It dedicates itself todeveloping every child’s communication, social, and learning skills. The preschool offers hands-on learning programs that include group play, art projects, reading, math, and science….

Description:

Mustard Seed Kidz Child Development Center offers center-based and full-time child care and early education services designed for young children. Located at 2975 Eber Blvd, the company serves families living inthe Melbourne, FL area. Mustard Seed Kidz Child Development Center is licensed to take care of 242 children….

Recent review:

I had your messages from KCRA
TV. Sacramento, may I have more information about your Org.

Reviewed by Borden L

Description:

Small Wonders Preschool is an educational facility that serves the community of Melbourne FL. It offers a comprehensive preschool program and provides developmentally appropriate curriculum that enhancechildren’s mental, social, emotional, and physical abilities. The school promotes active learning by integrating recreational activities with academics….

Apollo Preschool

155 N Babcock St, Melbourne, FL 32935

Costimate: $140/wk

Description:

Apple Accredited and Gold Seal Approved, Apollo Preschool is a Child Care Center served by a full service child development staff for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years. Founded in 1979, Apollo Preschool offersFree VPK. Tours available upon request….

Description:

First Church Preschool is a ministry of the First United Methodist Church in Melbourne, Florida. It was established in 1988 to serve families by providing a high-quality Christian childcare and educationprogram. The school’s goal is to promote the development and well-being of children in a safe, warm and nurturing environment. Its hours are Mondays through Fridays 7:15 AM to 5:30 PM….

Christian Care

728 Palmetto Ave, Melbourne, FL 32901

Costimate: $163/wk

Description:

Christian Care provides quality and affordable early childhood care in a culturally diverse environment. It ensures a climate for individual growth, comfort, and security. They provide an enriching daycareexperience to prepare the child for preschool….

Description:

Small Wonders Preschool is now open and enrolling! We accept infants six weeks old to 5 years old. We offer a comprehensive educational program based on The Creative Curriculum and The Kindness Curriculum.Each and every child is unique and talented and we want to build upon those talents and abilities. Each day will be filled with exciting and creative age appropriate activities – we will have circle time, art, music, outdoor play, Spanish classes, sign language, literacy, math, and science. We offer 2 snacks per day and lunch at no additional charge. There will also be time for a 2 hour nap during the day. Call us or stop by for a tour! 321-914-0722…

Recent review:

I went to tour this center today and I was amazed! The director was the nicest person ever! My daughter really loved the placed and didn’t want to leave! The teachers were also very nice and the place looksclean and organized! My daughter will definitely be enrolling here!. ..

Reviewed by Ana

Description:

What matters to us at La Petite Academy is simple: Your child. Here, exceptionally strong, sound social and educational foundations are formed. Here, children learn to respect one another. Learn together. Learnto work together. Learn to have fun constructively. And discover how enjoyable learning can be. It all starts by design. The free-flowing, open concept design of our facilities inspires a nurturing, interactive, and collaborative environment in which your child can thrive. Our schools and classrooms are designed to give children room to grow, room to share and room to be themselves. At La Petite Academy, open spaces and open concepts promote open minds….

Description:

La Petite Academy Child Care located in Palm Bay, FL offers Preschool, Prekindergarten, and Kindergarten Prep programs. The center specializes in children ages six weeks to twelve years old and operatesMondays through Fridays from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM… .

Description:

Country Day for Children located in West Melbourne, FL is a childcare and a center that provide a safe, clean, interactive, fun and exciting environment where your child can learn while having fun. The centerhas a comprehensive program from Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and Kindergarten. They treat each child individually with respect and we stimulate them to learn based on the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori….

Description:

Many medically certified employees for your child’s upmost top notch needs in schooling to learning manners and behavioral issues resolved through our own counselors. We have workers of every field for the mostreliable and professional business able to your children(s) needs….

321…Play!

75 SW Irwin Ave, West Melbourne, FL 32904

Costimate: $148/wk

Description:

Child care, after school care, daycare, home school classes, birthday parties and events for the community are provided by 321 … Play! We incorporate fitness education into the everyday lives of childrenthrough play, and an entertaining environment. Through making activity fun, we give children the desire to create lifelong fitness habits!…

Description:

Wish Upon A Star Day Care Center is a childcare and educational facility located at 1561 Palm Bay Road, Palm Bay, Florida. The center is open Mondays through Fridays 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The center offersfull-time childcare services and early childhood education programs in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment. It provides educational activities that enhance the children’s physical, intellectual and social skills….

Showing 1 – 22 of 22

Preschool Articles

FAQs for finding preschools near you in Melbourne, FL

In 2023 what types of preschools can I find near me in Melbourne, FL?

There are two main types of preschool programs near you in Melbourne, FL. The first is a full-time program that usually works best for parents working full-time shifts, and the second is a part-time preschool where your child would attend only two to three days per week and typically choose between a morning and afternoon shift. A part-time preschool can be a great option if you want to ease the transition of this new learning experience for your child! You can also check your options in Melbourne, FL for traditional preschool centers, or private home-based preschools.

What should I look for in a good preschool program near me in Melbourne, FL?

When you begin looking for preschools near me in Melbourne, FL, consider your priorities and ask administrators about their philosophies and approach to common child care issues or occurances. You may also want to ask about the ratio of learning time to supervised play time so you can get a good sense of whether you believe your child’s needs will be met. From there, ask about what a typical day consists of, what the safety protocols are and how discipline will be handled. Also, make sure to check directly with the preschool for information about their local licensing and credentials in Melbourne, FL.

How can I find a preschool near me in Melbourne, FL?

When looking for a preschool near you in Melbourne, FL on Care. com, you’ll be able to review preschools by distance from you ZIP code. From there, you can compare between preschool programs by traditional facility-based preschools and private, in-home preschools. Be sure to check any reviews from other families in Melbourne, FL who have previously sent their kids to any of the preschools you are interested in.

The Melbourne Preschool

Previous


Next

The Melbourne Preschool is . . .

A community-oriented hands-on learning center that focuses on the development and happiness of every child. At The Melbourne Preschool, it is our belief that it takes an entire community to raise a child, and our teaching methods reflect this philosophy.
We believe that every child is as unique as the strategies we utilize to challenge their skills and promote cognitive, physical, and emotional growth. We aim to provide an environment where self-directed learning is encouraged, guided, and fostered. With this objective, our children are being prepared to be life-long learners. In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving world, those who develop a love for learning at an early age will have the greatest advantage of all: Nothing is out of reach for someone who loves to constantly learn and improve themself. Come meet with Alex and Rebecca Arsic at the center to learn more about how we can guide your children for a lifetime of success.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Nelson Mandela

The Ones (12 months and up)

Through music, dance, story time, and free-play, our one-year-olds have every chance to explore their environment and personality. Physical development is a key objective, where fine and gross motor skills are trained daily.

Toddlers (18 to 24 months)

Similar to our One-year-old program, the Toddlers is a step up for those who are ready for more creative and academic challenges. Continuing to encourage the development of gross and fine motor skills, creativity and language; socialization is also fostered in the Toddler class. The teacher’s main focus in this classroom is to prepare children for the faster paced routine of the Two-year-old class, to ensure a smooth transition between these age groups.

The Twos

Teamwork, cooperation, and individual project work are the focus of this class. Toilet-training, language acquisition, indoor and outdoor physical exploration, and more advanced fine-motor skills are also on the daily menu

The Threes

What an exciting time! Once children have mastered toileting habits, our teachers can begin to introduce more academically challenging material. With a more developed vocabulary, word games and theme-based learning are important for this class. More complex physical games and discovery-based learning strategies are utilized to encourage further social and scholastic development.

The Fours (Pre-VPK)

In our Four-year-old class, the daily schedule includes more advanced problem-solving activities, and imaginative pretend play. As we are sure you know, physical play and organized gross-motor activities are a must. Energy is spent in a positive, productive, and self-directed way. In addition to creative self-expression, academic work such as writing, reading, mathematics and vocabulary development is added to the curriculum. The Fours follow a similar routine to our VPK class, to ensure a comfortable transition between our Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten program.

At The Melbourne Preschool, we pride ourselves on the quality and originality of our VPK program. It is our belief that it takes an entire community to raise a child, and our VPK program reflects this philosophy.

Our program does not only focus on academics, but socialization, emotional growth, cooperation and problem-solving skills, as well as the holistic development of each individual student. This way, students receive a well-rounded education, which prepares them for the faster-paced rigors and social atmosphere of grade school.

At The Melbourne Preschool, our VPK Certified teachers’ focus is to foster a love of learning and curiosity in your child, through engaging and enriching hands-on activities. A plethora of subjects are covered throughout the school year, including Mathematics, Science, Cooking, Reading and Writing, Creative Arts, Music, Media exploration, Physical Education (such as Yoga and organized outdoor games), and much more.

Our VPK class is often privilege to special visitors who give specialized lessons. Such visitors include Librarians, Astronomers, Musicians, members of the Melbourne community such as Police officers and Firemen, and many more. Parents of VPK students are always welcome to volunteer their time in this classroom, as we believe the beautiful diversity of our community helps to enrich and shape the minds of our young learners.

It is our goal to prepare your child for a lifetime of learning in, and out of the classroom. Our fun and challenging curriculum, combined with our thorough and thoughtful lesson plans, are designed to prepare your child for the academic journey that lies ahead.

This program runs from mid-August to mid-May.

Our trained and certified staff are committed to provide individualized, quality, and developmentally appropriate childcare.

Rebecca & Alex Arsic – Owners

Mr. Alex is The Melbourne Preschool’s Mr. Do-It-All! With a B.A. in Child Studies, an M.A. in Educational Studies, and 13 years of experience in the field of education, Mr. Alex is a stickler for policy and procedures. He serves as the liaison between The Melbourne Preschool and local and state-wide organizations such as the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard, and the Florida Department of Children and Families. You can always find Mr. Alex upbeat and smiling, no matter what the day brings. If he isn’t managing or working with community organizations, you can find Mr. Alex with his work gloves on, making improvements to our center.

Miss Rebecca is The Melbourne Preschool’s front of house. If there is anything you need, or any questions you may have, Miss Rebecca is ready to help. With a B.A. in Child Studies and 7 years of experience in the field of education, Miss Rebecca is our teacher’s go-to for guidance concerning curriculum, lesson planning, educational tools and educational psychology. Miss Rebecca enjoys working closely with our teachers to ensure that The Melbourne Preschool’s strict educational, recreational and organizational standards are consistently met. Miss Rebecca is also our in-house social media coordinator. She earned her graduate degree in Media Studies, and is the woman behind The Melbourne Preschool’s Facebook, videos, website and advertising. Miss Rebecca doesn’t get her hands dirty – she gets them sparkly! She can often be found crafting with our students, creating art pieces for the school with our teachers, and substituting in classrooms.

Odalis Bravo – Director

Miss Odalis has been working in early childhood education centers for 22 years. She graduated from Eastern Florida College with her Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC), and Director Credential. Over the past 10 years, Miss Odalis has been working as a Director in early learning centers, always ensuring that strict standards are not only met, but exceeded. A true team player and positive role model, parents love Miss Odalis because of her personable service, attention to detail, and following up on each parent and student’s needs.

Miss Odalis is often running the front of house with Miss Rebecca, but you can also find her substituting in The One’s classroom, where she loves working with our youngest group to help prepare them for the exciting journey ahead.

Our Team

Each teacher at The Melbourne Preschool brings their own individual teaching style to their classroom, while following the Melbourne Preschool’s ethos of hands-on, community-based learning. All of our teachers are carefully screened at the state and federal levels, and the majority not only meet, but exceed the DCF standards for Preschool teachers.

During the training process, Mr Alex and Miss Rebecca are highly involved as they believe training is a two-way street: while they guide our teachers in The Melbourne Preschool’s hands-on and creative learning style, much can also be learned from each individual teacher.

In three words, we would describe our close-knit team of teachers as enthusiastic, loving and quirky!

If you are interested in joining our team here at The Melbourne Preschool, please fill out the sections below, or send an e-mail with your resume to: [email protected]

Resumé

Kindergartens in Australia: how are they?

Where do the happiest people live? The answer to this question is given annually by the World Happiness Report. According to its results, Australia is in the top ten. In the same report, this country is ranked among the best countries for living and raising children. How pre-school development of children is organized in Australia, and what is especially surprising, pleasing, and sometimes shocking in the arrangement of Australian kindergartens, we tell on MedAboutMe.

7 rules of summer diapers: so that the butt does not sweat

Without worries and hassles: how to protect your baby’s delicate skin and your nerves in the heat?

State and education

What determines the “goodness” of the country of residence? Assessment of the overall level of quality and life expectancy. Characteristics and level are taken into account:

• health care;
• education;
• economic stability;
• political situation;
• security.

The level of education in Australia, according to Newsweek magazine, is 87 points on a 100-point scale. Such strong performance comes at a cost: in 2018, the Australian government made a record $8.6 billion investment in just the very first stage of education, childcare subsidies.

Daniel Thomas Tehan, Australian Minister for Education

We need an education system that meets the needs of every Australian, no matter where they live.

Literacy must be at the heart of a successful education system. Our children cannot learn and grow if they cannot read, write and count.

The Australian Government Department of Education oversees all curricula and develops documents that govern the responsibilities and requirements of child care providers under the Family Assistance Act.

Kindergarten is more expensive – queues are shorter

All parents pay attention to the harmonious development of the child, so kindergarten life is a topic that is popular regardless of the country of residence.

Australian mothers are also concerned that the child develops and acquires all the necessary skills before school, so in the land of Oz, as the Australians themselves call it for short, the following questions are relevant:

• when to sign up for kindergarten;
• how to find a kindergarten closer to home;
• how many days a week the child will attend kindergarten;
• how to reduce the cost of preschool education.

Do you know?

Early childhood education is not considered compulsory under Australian law. The exceptions are states where the first stage of the school curriculum includes preschool education.

All preschool children’s institutions are paid. Depending on which kindergarten the child gets into, the amount of payment is added up. But in any case, the stay of a child in a preschool is a significant expense for the family – from 80 Australian dollars (about 50 euros) per day.

And even with such a cost, it is difficult to get into kindergarten. The population is increasing, so mothers are enrolled in the queue as soon as they find out about the pregnancy. Moreover, applications are submitted not to one preschool institution, but to several at once. There are fewer queues for expensive kindergartens, but the issue is still acute.

How does the state help?

Australian legislation provides social benefits to families whose children attend kindergarten. This is done by the Ministry of Education and the Department of Public Services. Since July 2018, a new child care package has been developed to replace the previous compensation payments. What is the difference?

Previously, parents paid for kindergarten attendance regardless of whether the child attended kindergarten or not. Even if the day of the visit fell on an official holiday, payment had to be made. Accordingly, social benefits were calculated. Under the new rules, the subsidy will only be paid for actual visit time.

How much money will return to the family?

The amount of assistance directly depends on the level of income. Almost 80% of the money paid for the kindergarten will be returned to a single mother. A family with two parents and an average income level will receive a return of approximately 50%. There are no state subsidies for wealthy citizens.

Random people don’t work here

The national trait of Australians is friendliness. This is especially noticeable in kindergartens. In the Australian kindergarten, everyone is greeted with joy. Indifference, coldness or arrogance are excluded from communication with both children and parents.

There are three types of kindergartens in Australia:

• a large institution where there are several groups of children from 4-6 months to 5 years;
• family kindergarten run at home by women with relevant education;
• preparatory classes, where children over three years old are accepted, and educators are directly involved in preparing the child for school.

Only those people who have a special education, the right motivation and an understanding of how important the emotional background is for children have the right to work in kindergartens. All the work of the educator is aimed at the development of individuality, creativity, and the identification of talents. The child must learn to behave in a team, understand English, know how to spell his name.

Maximum attention and love to each child is the main principle of work, therefore the rule is strictly observed: one teacher for five children. In family kindergartens, it is even tougher: three children per employee. Well, just a dream come true for Russian educators!

Usually parents choose two or three days a week when the child will visit the garden. Additionally, children can go to a family kindergarten. In both large and family preschool institutions, the working hours are approximately the same, from 7 am to 6 pm. “Preparers” are engaged from 9am until 15.
Sidebar

Interesting fact!

No one will express dissatisfaction if the child is brought to kindergarten late in the morning. The day has already been paid.

The situation changes dramatically if parents are late for kindergarten in the evening. The child will be looked after. BUT … for EVERY minute of being late, a fine is assigned, because the additional (due to the fault of the parents) work time of the employee must be paid. The amount of the fine varies, but on average, a minute of delay costs 5 Australian dollars.

Horror stories for Russian mothers

There are oddities in the work of Australian kindergartens that are difficult for Russian mothers to understand. We are accustomed to the regime established in preschool institutions many years ago, and we take it as an indestructible reality: food, daytime sleep, scheduled classes, a thematic walk. In Australia, it’s not like that.

The first “horror story” concerns catering. Or rather, its absence. There is no usual 3-4 meals a day. Only a few gardens have their own kitchen, but the price there is correspondingly higher than in other gardens. As a rule, children bring a lunch box with them. And what my mother put there – this does not concern the educators. The maximum that they can do, if necessary, is to heat the food in the microwave.

The second “terrible” difference from Russian kindergartens is that children do not have scheduled daytime sleep. There are also no bedrooms. The child can lie down when he wants. You will be given a mattress with a sheet and a blanket. Lie down and rest. Of course, no one changes the child into special clothes for sleep. And no change of shoes.

Personal experience

Elena, mother of 3-year-old Zlata, Melbourne

We moved to Melbourne when our daughter was 2 years old and our son was 4. The issue of kindergarten and school was acute, because children here go to school from the age of 5, and in general they can send a child to kindergarten from 6 months.

What surprised me the most? Complete freedom for children in everything. Educators look after, of course, but there is no strict schedule: sleep if you want, do what you like, eat when you remember. Nobody will force you.

Creative work is encouraged. In the group, paints, plasticine, “glitters”, stickers and much more that may interest the child are laid out in all corners. He can draw, sculpt from plasticine, that is, he can choose what to do. In general, crafts are very welcome. Educators will always help, prompt, show and do something with the children. But…

When we arrived for the first time for our daughters in the kindergarten and saw her, we thought that a bucket of paint had been poured on her. The teacher, with a smile, said that Zlata really likes to draw, so she tried paints, felt-tip pens and pencils all day. With the same joyful smile, she handed us the drawings.

It is generally not customary to make comments to either parents or the child. On the contrary, teachers try to attract moms and dads to work together. The next time, I just put an extra t-shirt and shorts in my daughter’s backpack along with the lunchbox so that she can change if she gets dirty.

What does not happen in the garden

You can not bring a child without a headdress. There is a strict rule: no panama – no walk. If you don’t have your own, then they will give you a spare one and without fail smear it with a sunscreen. This is due to increased solar activity. The high rate of skin cancer in this country is a harsh reality.

It is not customary for a child of preschool age to forbid anything. You can draw on the walls and wander through the puddles while walking, you can choose a toy that you like, or look at a book.

There are no “matinees” that Russian children are used to. There are no many hours of rehearsals with memorization of poems and songs. Everything is much easier. For example, “Fancy Hair Day” is announced, and half of the group may show up with red-yellow-green “Iroquois” or pigtails.

There is no nurse in the Australian garden. In the event of a bruise or scratch, the parent will receive a certificate detailing what happened and what assistance was provided to the child.

Output

Educational institutions in any country are a reflection of society’s values. The main values ​​in the Australian kindergarten are: respect for the child, all kinds of support and development of creative abilities, a variety of activities and tolerance, respect for the teacher, his dignity and professionalism. These values ​​are universal, so it is desirable that they be supported and reproduced by every member of society in all countries.

World Happiness Report / Helliwell, J., Layard, R., & Sachs, J. // Chapter 1 – 2019

More support for child care services in vulnerable communities / The Hon Dan Tehan MP // Media Release – Wednesday 7 August 2019

How much does it cost to raise a child in Australia? -Australian News Network

来源:AustraliaFinancial information

Are kindergartens really more expensive than private schools?

My friend Lin Lin lives in Beijing and was recently upset. She wants a second child, but her biggest concern is that between the ages of 0 and 3, no one can help with the child.

I want to give it to an old man, but the old man is old and has limited energy. I want to hire a babysitter, it’s expensive and I’m not worried. When she heard that Australian children can send their stools to kindergarten for 6 weeks to they were courted by a professional kindergarten teacher, expressing envy.

However, when she heard that child care fees in Australia were as high as 100 a day,Australian DollarAlthough there are government subsidies, many parents still need to pay tens of thousands of Australian dollars each year and find it too expensive. so it’s better to hire a nanny.

While Australia has comprehensive childcare and preschool services, the high cost of childcare has always been cited as a reason for Australians not wanting to have children.childrenAn important reason.

Image Source: SBS

University of Victoria’s Mitchell Institute Latest

31% of Australian families spend more on groceries at childcare. Among families with an annual family income of less than AU$748, about 7% of families spend more than 7% of their disposable income to pay for child care.

An OECD report shows that Australia is one of the countries with the highest childcare costs in the world.

On average, parents in Australia spend between 30% and 40% of their family income on childcare each year, while the OECD average is only 11%.

Source: The Newdaily

According to Australian media reports, in 2020 the average charge for 50 hours of certified kindergartens across Australia will be 523 AUD, and in the territories – 595 Australian dollars.

and Sydney In some families, if children are sent to kindergarten 5 days a week, the annual costs reach 5,000 Australian dollars, which exceeds the annual tuition fees in some of the leading private schools.

As a result, some people joked that young parents in Australia worked hard to earn money, and they were all sent to kindergartens.

The most economical family model

Both Rachel and his wife, who live in Sydney, work full time. Her husband has a higher income. Rachel is a primary school teacher with an annual family income of around A$20,000.

A four-year-old son is sent to a daycare facility full-time five days a week. The pay is compared to her salary. After deducting her fees, her hourly rate is only A$8.

If she sends her 1 year old daughter to kindergarten, the fee is A$60 more than her daily wage, which means she has to pay to have her child attend kindergarten.

So, since working to earn money is not as good as caring for children at home, Rachel must decide whether to quit her job or cut her hours.

Although the state provides subsidies for childcare, the amount of the subsidy is determined by the family’s income and the working hours of the parents.

For example, a family with an annual income of less than AU$70,015 can receive up to 100 hours every two weeks and 85% of the child care allowance. In addition, up to AU$354,305, the subsidy ranges from 20% to 85%. The higher the income, the less subsidy you will receive.

Source: Services Australia

There is an upper limit to the grant received specifically for families with an income of over AUD 190,015.

In other words, the government provides a subsidy of up to AUD 10,655 annually for child care costs per child. childcare, and then they have to sacrifice the working time of a parent, and the victim is usually the mother.

In addition, the government stipulated that the hourly charge for daycare is $12.31, so the charge for 10 hours a day is $123.1.

But it’s actually in Sydney, Melbourne In child care centers in popular areas of big cities, the actual daily fee is between 170 and 200 AUD, which is optimistic every year.

这意味着，即便家庭有50% ）的补助，仅能涵盖实际托费的30%至35%。

Source:

Network So the latest data shows that due to the high cost of childcare, the number of Australian parents who choose not to work to care for their children increased significantly by 2020% in 2019 compared to 21.7 year.

This had a double negative effect. This not only leads to low employment and underemployment of parents, especially women, and ultimately affects economic development, but also causes more children to miss out on early education and are more likely to fall behind when they officially go to school.

According to the OECD, Australia Only 15% of three-year-olds receive early education, compared with 69% in other developed countries on average.

Can increased subsidies reduce childcare costs

In the New Fiscal Year Budget, the federal government announced that it will invest A$17 billion in childcare, including up to 5% childcare subsidies for second child and subsequent children under the age of 95 years. and waive AU$1,000 for high net worth individuals. Subsidy restrictions.

This new rule will come into effect in July 2022. In addition, New State and Victoria will both invest more in early childhood education and try to provide free early childhood education services.

However, along with the increase in subsidies, tolls in Australia have grown annually at a rate far exceeding the CPI.

in line withAustralian educationAccording to departmental statistics, in 2020 the average fee for the country will increase by 2019% compared to 4. 4 years. The fee is expected to increase by 16% from 2020 to 2024.

In addition, out of more than 8,000 childcare facilities in Australia, more than 1,000 average hourly fees have exceeded the government’s cap.

Source: Ministry of Education, Skills and Employment.

It is generally accepted that the main reason for the annual increase in fares is the formation of a grouping and a monopoly of Australian preschools.

Early childhood education in Australia is generally divided into three types: private, public and public.

Since the 1990s, private preschools have gradually taken an important place. Among them, state-run preschools accounted for only 3% of the total, non-profit community-run preschools accounted for about 33% , and private preschool educational institutions were in the majority.

Private child care centers usually belong to a certain educational group, there are only two or three under their umbrella, and hundreds of child care centers.

For example, G8, Australia’s largest private early childhood education group, has 23 sub-brands and over 500 childcare centers across Australia, representing almost 20% of the Australian preschool market.

The concentration of ownership leads to the gradual formation of a market monopoly.

The privatization of pre-school education is profit-oriented, which will inevitably lead to ever higher costs and overburden parents.

Source:

Network

According to Australian media reports, since the Coalition Party, Australian parents have to pay an average of A$700 a year in childcare fees since coming into power, with hourly rates up by 35%.

With the cap on childcare subsidies in 2018, the government has not put pressure on downward adjustments in childcare fees.

Therefore, some experts noted that the state budget for childcare will indeed benefit some families, but this is more of a selective strategy that cannot completely solve the problem.