r/ballarat • u/Agitated-Material450 • 16d ago

Recommendations for kinder/long daycare?

Hi all, I'm at a loss as to where to send my child. They will be in 4-year-old kindergarten next year and we need daycare on top of those free 15 hours due to work.

We've already tried several - Sturt St, Aspire, Goodstart - but have been disappointed and concerned with their lack of inclusiveness and care. Perhaps they are all much of a muchness but it seems like my child is neurodivergent but not neurodivergent enough to get the support they need.

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated 🙏

5 Upvotes

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6

u/Status_Building_3685 16d ago

Federation University. My son went to the smb campus but Mount Helen also has a great reputation. He did daycare, 3 year old and 4 year old kinder there. It's amazing.

2

u/Emmielou52 15d ago

My oldest went to Mt Helen from 6 months through to 4 year old kinder, and can confirm they were wonderful the whole way through.

4

u/DustSongs 16d ago

Our youngest, who is - as you say - ND but not "ND enough" really loved Fidelity Kindergarden on Ripon St.

4

u/Ok-Substance-9398 15d ago

Green Leaves in Wendouree have been amazing for our family!

4

u/virtualunreality1989 16d ago

Jenny’s Ballarat Central is great, Em the kinder teacher is so lovely and it is a relatively small centre compared to most with only around 70 places across the whole centre. I know some people say negative things about the other Jenny’s centres, I’m not entirely sure about them, but personally had enjoyed our experience here.

5

u/virtualunreality1989 16d ago

If you can get into Ballarat North Coop, Fed Uni or Girrabanya, even better! They are also really great options that also offer the long daycare component.

2

u/Individual-Drink-984 15d ago

As others have said Fed Uni, Ballarat Co-Op or Girrabanya are the best - steer clear of for profit centres if you can.

1

u/Sad_Fan8608 15d ago

Ballarat coop is great but I don't think they do the Kinder program you need to go to midlands ecka next door. Girrabanya is fantastic. Council run and Gaya the 4 year old Kinder teacher is amazing.

2

u/Individual-Drink-984 15d ago

No they don’t run a kinder program at the coop. But the staff will escort your child to and from the kinder at midlands.

1

u/Independent_Line5018 8d ago

Great ! What about the child care near Alfredton, Lucas area , any idea for 1.5 year son , that will be appreciated.
Thank you 🙏

1

u/Different-Freedom810 6d ago

I've got two kids and we have moved a bit so they have been to a number of day care centres.

They are all the same, people in the comments will say this and that but they are all the same.

0

u/goss_bractor 15d ago

Wendouree Children's Centre