Hi there!!! You all seem to know the Melbourne scene very well and would be grateful for your help :-))

I am moving to Melbourne CBD in January 2010 and I'm looking for a child care centre for my daughter, who will be 21 months then. I will be studying at that time and my husband, who will also be moving with me, and I have very limited resources (and no job secured in Australia for the moment)...

All the centres we've contacted are REALLY REALLY expensive (specially for foreigners who can only work 20hrs/week!) and I was wondering which good creche was the cheapest!! No need for fancy but need safe, hygienic environment, good quality care and loving staff :-))

I was also wondering whether you would know of any other good plan to get my child taken care of in Melbourne CBD with a close to nothing budget and whether there were places I could go to get good quality stuff for her when I get there (like winter clothes, shoes, toys etc..) for close to nothing (like my budget). I am reluctant on having her wear second-hand clothes from charity organizations and play with old, worn toys.. cause that would make me feel really bad about our move (she's got all her own little things here)... but nearly-new addresses/plans or $1 dollar shop addresses for kids that age would work great!! :-)))

Hope you can help me and looking forward to your responses,

Sunshinemum