Caterpillars (2-3 years)

The cost of childcare at MELC is as follows (effective 15 May 2023);

• Children 0-2 years  $149 per day
• Children 2-3 years  $143 per day
• Children 3-4 years  $138 per day
• Children 4-5 years  $136 per day
• Before School care 5-12 years $38 per day
• After School care 5-12 years $48 per day
• Vacation care is $65-$95 per day depending on the activity

Short day pickup by 3.00pm - $15 reduction in fees.

In terms of government assistance, the Centre is licensed and accredited by ACECQA.  By contacting the Family Assistance Office and quoting our Customer Reference Number (407 185 690H) your rebate entitlement can be calculated.   For further information please go to www.education.gov.au/childcare 

Payment of fees can be made via EFTPOS (including credit card), electronic transfer via Internet banking, or by direct debit.  Fees are payable fortnightly in advance and a bond of $500 per family is payable on enrolment.

The daily routine in our Caterpillars room is always fun and packed with action and learning!  We are very busy with a range of activities, but generally speaking our routine looks like this:

• Morning activities eg play dough, puzzles, art/craft
• Music/movement experiences
• Morning tea
• Outdoor play
• Programmed learning experience eg dramatic play
• Language group time
• Lunch
• Rest 
• Special interest experiences eg. Water and other sensory play
• Outdoor play
• Indoor play

At MELC we provide:  

• Breakfast, morning tea, hot lunch, afternoon tea, late afternoon tea
• All drinks, including milk (soy, full cream, etc)
• Nappies
• Sunhats and sunscreen
• All bedding

You will need to supply a change of clothes (labelled clearly) a comfort item for rest time such as a teddy or soft toy, and a bottle if required (labelled).

We are open from 6.30am to 6.30pm, Monday - Friday, 51 weeks per year.

Parents are encouraged to come in and visit our fabulous facilities at any time, or to call us if you have any questions.

To assist you in seeing your child’s progress during their time at the Centre, portfolios are prepared by the carers for each child. They contain observations, examples of work, photos, art/craft and information on children’s current interests or work in progress and become a lovely memento of your child's time here with us.

There are regular times throughout the year when the portfolios are sent home for parents to look at and add to, and you are welcome to view your child’s portfolio at the Centre at any other time. 

If you are thinking about enrolling your child in long day care and considering which centre to attend, we would encourage you to come in and take a look around our Centre at any time. We’d be delighted to meet you and show you how we do things at MELC.

If you have already decided that you would like to book your child in to MELC, then simply print and complete the Request for Placement Form and send it back to us by fax or mail. This form then adds you to our waiting list for the first available place.

When a place becomes available, you will need to complete and return the Enrolment Form to ensure that we have the necessary information on file regarding your child.