Childcare availability in the inner west?

[Miss E]

At the moment DH and I are contemplating a move to the inner west (yarraville, kingsville, seddon, newport, spotswood). We've always lived in the inner south so don't really know too much about the area. At the moment we have DS1 in a fantastic childcare centre and that is pretty much the main thing that is holding us back from making a big move. Childcare availability is a huge problem over this side and I'm wondering if it is the same in the inner west? Next year both DS1 and DS2 will need to be in care 3 days a week and I'm afraid of making the move and then not being able to get them a spot in a good center. So, based on your experience, how is the availability over there? Are there lots of good centres? Also, what about primary schooling?

TIA

[feeb]

We are out that area and kids go to Bright steps in Altona north. I love the centre the staff are all lovely and all staff know names of all children. Bright steps have 3 centres 1 in Altona north, Williamstown and newport.

The council ones around me all had crazy waiting lists.

Lovely area to live lots of parks and gardens.

[Nai]

I 'm in kensington and we have a very good local centre, it is full and has a waiting list though. Primary school is great and takes all students who enroll as it is larger than its current capacity so it doesn't have a cap.

[FabFiona]

Frankly, it sucks but mainly for the baby rooms. Put your names down now and they should be able to accommodate both next Jan when all the kids move rooms.

I've heard good things about Clare Court in Yarraville and the one at the Western Bulldogs oval in Footscray.

It's a great area to live. We love it over here.


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[Miss E]

hhhmmmm... I thought it might be tricky getting places... Especially with two children... Might do a bit of research on the centres you guys have mentioned and see about putting ourselves on their waiting lists just in case. The more we think about it, the more we think that moving over that side will be good for us, especially when the boys start school. It's just the CC thing that makes it difficult. I have to go back to work next year, so if we weren't to get a spot we'd be stuffed, but at the same time we don't know when the right house for us will come up and when we'd be likely to move. I guess you just have to have faith that it will all fall in to place when the time comes.

[FabFiona]

Don't research - put your names down EVERYWHERE!!!!!

You can do research if you buy a place and when you start getting offers.


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[Nai]

Don't research - put your names down EVERYWHERE!!!!!

You can do research if you buy a place and when you start getting offers.


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Agree, just put your name down at as many places as possible. You can check them out later.

[Miss E]

Well, well, well.... We bought a house in Newport on the weekend so this has all just become a reality! I'm going to have a look at Bright Steps in Newport tomorrow and by the sounds of it they may have a place available for DS1 now which would be great. Feeb you sound like you're pretty happy with them, is there more you can tell me about it?

Our current centre (which I love) also has a centre in Ascot Vale and have me on the high priority list so my chances of getting a place there in the new year are good too, but they don't have anything available this year. I am really liking the idea of Bright Steps though, it's walking distance from our house and it also means my commute into the city would be shorter if I wasn't having to go via Ascot Vale.

Anything else I should know ladies?

[Nai]

Yay! How exciting! You can come and play with us Actually now the weather is warmer a catch up at the Happy River Cafe in Footscray is in order I think!

I would look at all the centres between you and work (am assuming CBD?) on your train line so that you can potentially drop off and park then catch the train without losing too much time - and put your name down at all of them too.

If you get really stuck I have heard that Wingate in Ascot Vale is fairly easy to get in to.

[FabFiona]

Woot!!!!! I'm in Newport. We are fabulous!!!!

The people we bought our house from recommended Bright Steps as a good local centre. Our kids currently go to Treehouse in Ascot Vale (is that the one you mean?) and the commute is a pain. It's not far from my work so it's not terrible but I would much rather a local centre. However they are finishing up this year as my parents are retiring so next year we are going to try and find long day care for one day a week and my parents will do the rest.

Kinder - put your name down now if you want to do kinder at community kinders rather than at child care. We've just been offered a place at Home Road Kindergarten for 3 year old next year so they've just concluded that process but I think places are available

I'm on the committee of the toy library, so your membership is expected.

The Junction Hotel Beer and Wine Bar is excellent.

The new library at Williamstown is beautiful.

[Miss E]

Yes! A meetup will definately be in order me thinks!

[Miss E]

FabFiona, treehouse is the one in Ascot Vale... We're at St.Kilda ATM and I just love their philosophy and approach, I'll be so sad to leave. Good to here good things about Bright Steps though, I'm really hoping I like it because location wise it would be ideal. And I am planning on DS1 doing kinder at daycare so no worries about that (providing we can get a good spot). Count us in for the toy library. At this stage we're looking like moving mid/late November.

[Patti]

I've been on the waiting list at bright steps in Newport since June 2011. I hope you have better luck than us! Congrats on the new house, Newport is a great area!

[FabFiona]

I'm sad to be leaving Treehouse too. My boys have both loved it there. Particulary with my oldest, who really struggled with the transition to child care initially and then again into the older room. The staff were fabulous and really worked with us at every step of the way.

I'm hoping to get into Bright Steps next year, so they could be at the same centre!

Are you back at work yet?

[Miss E]

That would be good! I was actually cheekily wondering if we might be able to pick up your DS1's spot at Treehouse LOL! Not going back to work till the New Year, but would really like to get DS1 in somewhere straight-away so that I'm not having to settle them both into CC at the same time.

[~me~]

Yes! A meetup will definately be in order me thinks!

Popping to say welcome to the sunny West Yes a meet up! I am just a teeny tiny further out, so can't help on Creche.

[feeb]

Woo hoo exciting news!!

Ask me any qns you want about bright steps!! We go to Altona north centre which is smaller and very much like a big family! Feel free to PM me if you like or ask here.

We have just had to put in preferences for days for returning next year!

Newport has lovely MCHN's just been doing placements with them!!!

[Frangipani Lou]

Hiya,
I don't live in the area but work in Early Childhood Education. Have you considered family day care as an option? Cost wise it's great and small groups if children In a qualified, quality checked educators home. They are under the same system as childcare and kindergarten etc. They can also do kinder/ school pickups and drop offs etc and often do outings to local places etc.