Council has been involved in offering quality childcare to the Warrnambool community for more than 35 years.
Our very experienced staff are focused on the health and happiness of your child, which includes serving nutritionally balanced meals and snacks, maintaining natural and appealing outdoor play spaces and offering a wide variety of activities.
We facilitate a range of childcare options to suit you, including Centre Based Child Care, Family Day Care, After Kinder Care, After School Care and Vacation Care.
Education and care services in Warrnambool
Early Learning Centres
Find out more
For more information call one of Council’s Early Learning Centres:
Florence Collins: 5559 4640 – Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 7.30AM to 6.00PM
Email: (Coordinator) florencecollins@warrnambool.vic.gov.auMatron Swinton: 5559 4650 - Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 8.00AM to 6.00PM
Email: mswinton@warrnambool.vic.gov.auSherwood Park: 5559 4595 - Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 8.00AM to 6.00PM
Email: (Coordinator) spark@warrnambool.vic.gov.auFor information on Child Care Subsidy go to
Educational Program
Council’s Early Learning services provide more than just care. Educators formulate and deliver play based educational curriculums. They use an evidence based approach that supports each child’s development through experimentation and exploration to build and foster resilience for their lifelong learning. All council’s Early Learning services also offer a funded three and four year old kindergarten program.
Educators
Qualified and highly experienced educators engage in ongoing professional development opportunities to ensure current early childhood development research informs their approach to their work.
Meals
Qualified kitchen staff are based on each site and prepare a variety of nutritionally balanced meals that meet the daily dietary requirements for children of all ages. Individual dietary needs can be catered for, including cultural requirements, allergies and intolerances.
Engagement, diversity and inclusion
Every child and every family is different. Educators work individually with each child and each family to ensure their needs and beliefs are met.
The diversity of our community’s religious and cultural beliefs is respected and celebrated within Council’s Early Learning services.
Established relationships exist with community support agencies to supplement the knowledge of educators in ensuring children and families with additional needs are welcomed and fully included within all services.
Educator’s approach to working with children is to build trusting relationships with the whole family. Council’s Early Learning services encourage ongoing communication and collaboration between parents/carers and educators. There is an open door policy for families and many opportunities for whole family involvement in the service throughout the year.
Early Learning Centres Waitlist Application Form
Cancellation of Child Education and Care
Family Day Care
Contact
Warrnambool Family Day care
Children's Services Centre
600 Raglan Parade
Warrnambool
Ph 55594800
Email: childandfamily@warrnambool.vic.gov.au
Family Day Care is a quality, home-based or in venue Ealry learning service providing care and education for children in the homes of registered Family Day Care Educators. Educators are located in Warrnambool and surrounding districts and are supported by a local specialist coordination unit.
Today’s working environment is no longer the traditional 9 to 5 routine, Family Day Care is a flexible option of childcare that meets the needs of modern families.
Family Day Care caters for young babies through to pre-teens and can offer care during standard hours, before/after school, during school holidays and in some circumstances overnight and weekends.
Standards and fees
All educators are skilled, experienced and highly trained, with all holding formal qualifications ranging from Certificate III to university degrees.
As part of the National Quality framework in Children's Services, Family Day Care abides by scheme policy and procedures, the National Quality Standards to ensure that the quality of care is of the highest standard.
Educators need a current first aid certificate, asthma and anaphylaxis management qualification, police check, working with children check and public liability insurance and their home needs to meet safety standards.
Fees for Family Day Care are set by the individual educators. Educators may also provide food, nappies and transport.
Why choose Family Day Care?
Imagine your child in a small group of no more than 4 pre-schoolers, playing, learning and having fun with an educator they know and trust.
If you are working or studying and want excellent childcare for your child, consider Family Day Care. It is the only accredited childcare service that enables your child to learn and grow with in a small group of children in a secure family home with one professional educator.
Accreditation information
The Family Day Care management/advisory committee structure provides opportunities for community members to be involved in an advisory, consultative or decision making role. This includes the review of scheme policies and procedures.
If you would like to be involved please contact the Family Day Care Unit.
Click here to Register for Family Day Care Online
After School Care
St Joseph's Primary School
70 Botanic Road, Warrnambool
Phone: 0400 928 454After School Care (ASC) Monday to Friday 3.30pm to 6.00pm during school terms.
Program Philosophy
To provide primary school-aged children care for the Warrnambool and surrounding district that is flexible and meets the needs of families.
The Warrnambool OSHC service is recreation based and children will be cared for in a relaxed, caring, stimulating, safe and secure environment. Care may be provided for after school and during school holiday periods.
Program Aims
Outside School Hours Care aims to integrate recreation, socialisation and quality care. The approach ensures our services are able to respond to the needs of children and families.
Xap
Council has introduced Xap to manage its After School Care program.
Xap is a leading edge childcare management system which will provide:
- easy online enrolments
- medication requests
- learning observations
- photo and video sharing
- communication platform between services and guardians
- and more!
Enrolments
If you have used the Xap Program previously for any Council service and wish to have your child enrolled for After School Care:
· Contact us directly to arrange your enrolment - email oshc@warrnambool.vic.gov.au
If any of your personal information has changed, please update your details within Xap.
If you have not previously used the Xap program and wish to have your child enrolled for After School Care:
· Register your family via the After School Care Enrolment Application
· You will receive a “no reply” email from Xap with your login details to continue the enrolment process
· Download the Xap Smile app on your phone for easy access to your Xap account
Once enrolled, complete the booking form , scan and email to oshc@warrnambool.vic.gov.au.
Email oshc@warrnambool.vic.gov.au or call 5559 4555 if you are experiencing any difficulties.
Vacation Care
The Warrnambool City Council Vacation Care Program is designed to provide quality care and recreational activities to Primary School children during school holidays.
The Program is designed specifically to offer a flexible range of activities that are age appropriate, and which encourage children to participate and develop specific creative, developmental and movement skills.
The Program operates from Warrnambool Stadium, Caramut Road Warrnambool.
Vacation Care Opening Hours - 8.00 am til 6.00 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)
Phone: 5559 4555.
Spring 2024 Vacation Care Brochure
Spring 2024 Excursion Permission Form
Enrolments
If you have used the Xap Program previously for any Council service and wish to have your child enrolled for Vacation Care:
· Contact us directly to arrange your enrolment - email oshc@warrnambool.vic.gov.au
If you have not previously used the Xap program and wish to have your child enrolled for Vacation Care:
· Register your family via the Vacation Care enrolment application
· You will receive a “no reply” email from Xap with your login details to continue the enrolment process
· Download the Xap Smile app on your phone for easy access to your Xap account
· Once enrolled and ready to make a booking complete the relevant Spring Vacation Care Booking Form email to oshc@warrnambool.vic.gov.au
Email oshc@warrnambool.vic.gov.au or call 5559 4555 if you are experiencing any difficulties.