If you are in the position to, take her out. Carers play too big a role in their development. We took DS out of a centre because things weren't what we thought they should be. The little things tell you a lot about their attitudes towards the kids. The center you are describing makes me uncomfortable and I wouldn't leave my child there. It sounds like there is also a discrepancy between the centre policies and reality (eg. the policy is you can stay the first day but the carer discourages it).
If you don't feel welcome, you should probably leave.
Structured play is a bit 1990s, and all the literature suggests that free play is the way to go, and that following the child's interests and extending on them is the best way forward. Sounds like that might be the bit that's missing though.
I'm in Brissy, have worked in the industry for 9 years (this week!) I can't PM you yet (not enough posts!) but if I knew what suburb you were in, and where you're willing to go, I could make you some good suggestions.
Where are you going to uni? I'm trying to find somewhere decent that is near you or maybe ont he way to uni (after this long in the industry, I'm able to suss out the quality places pretty quick) but there is a massive drought of quality childcare in the area! No wonder you're having troubles!
East Brisbane Community Centre have a really good FDC program with about 20 different carers. That would be worth checking out, I think, and woul suit the half days you're looking for.
There's also one in Tingalpa (too far? wrong direction? let me know) that I think would be worth a check.
With regards to your OP, "new or flash" is a red flag as far as I'm concerned. There are so few new quality services being built that I would be far more wary of a new building than a place that is 20 years old (like the one I work in, which is beautiful, but in the western suburbs, and probably too far for you!)
When you search online, don't use echildcare, use the NCAC site, google it.
Good luck - I'll get back with more details soon!
Unstructured play is very common, but at DS' daycare the kids are still kept in age groups - I would not be happy that she is with kids that are so much older, or with the carers inappropriate action, and I would report it to the director of the centre, or whoever is in charge.
AsK to see thier policy on behaviour (bad/challenging I cant remember the right term but they should have one) i bet it does say to tell the child being bullied to toughen up!
Thanks everyone for your advice, I cancelled the enrollment at that centre. So back to the search But at least now I have a better idea of what to look for.
I'm (hopefully) going to the ipswich UQ uni next year. Going to start part time so I will drive out. They dont have childcare but thats a good idea Rivlas, I might put a post on here to see if there's any ipswich mummies and where they put there kids.
Snugglybean, thanks for the info. Tingalpa isnt too far away - what is the one there?
I will have a look at ebcc too thanks.
There is no vacancies at the moment, but I found a mother duck, a pussinboots and chatterbox centre about 10mins away that I still havent checked out. Poor dd, at least she's going to be familiar with the childcare thing by the time we find a place
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