Name: KU Children's Services
Price range: $

Our Program and Approach

At KU Kintaiba, we provide a holistic approach to children’s learning which promotes high expectations and equity, and is captured through observable and opportune teachable moments. Our educators aim to provide a curriculum based on children’s interests, abilities and strengths and encompasses an ongoing cycle of planning, observation, analysis, reflection and evaluation of each child’s development.

We believe that play is a valued learning process for children and provides opportunities to discover, create, improvise and imagine in a supportive and respectful environment. Our aim is to support children’s sense of belonging, being and becoming through play-based engagement, and respect children’s voices.

We recognise and value our centre as a culturally diverse and inclusive community and believe in showing respect for families’ lives, cultures and identities. We aim to promote cultural competence in educators and children throughout our everyday practices.

We greatly value the strong relationships between our staff, children and families, and we look forward to the opportunity of including your family in the life of our centre.

Our Specialisation

At KU Kintaiba, we specialise in cultural competency as our overarching specialisation with a special interest in art, sustainability and science.

We incorporate this into our program through activities such as celebrating cultural events, and having this imbedded into the daily program. This is reflected in the centre menu, activities and resources provided by the centre.

We feel that the children benefit from this specialisation, because we are an inclusive and diverse centre and this supports children’s overall wellbeing as they grow and develop throughout childhood and beyond.

As art is a special interest, Amanda who as one of our educators has a Degree in Fine Arts, is enriching the educators and children with her experience and knowledge. This is incorporated into our cultural awareness and practices.

The centre is involved in the Little Scientist Program, where educators incorporate maths and science into the regular program. We aim to create an atmosphere where children feel inspired to engage in the processes of scientific learning, including inquiry, experimentation and research.

Our Quality

Our centre has been independently assessed by the NSW Department of Education under the National Quality Standard, and are proud to be rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standard.

However what matters most is what our families think....

“We are so grateful of the dedicated team at KU Kintaiba. We have experienced the value of your nurturing care first hand. It has been wonderful to see our boys adjust, grow, learn, become and belong.” – KU Kintaiba Parent

“Thank you for all the care. All the staff are obviously providing terrific activities to stimulate and interest the children.” – KU Kintaiba Grandparent

Our Awards

In 2023, KU Kintaiba Educator Tash Mackle was the recipient of the 'Making the KU Difference for Communities' Award.

The Making the KU Difference Awards were introduced a number of years ago, as a way of acknowledging KU staff who have worked above and beyond their normal duties to make a significant contribution to KU.

Our Environment

Each KU centre is unique. The best outcomes for children are created within relationships and interactions between children and staff, and children and their families, not within four walls. We work hard to create beautiful, interesting, homelike learning environments for children – whatever our setting.

KU Kintaiba is located on the grounds of the University of Newcastle. It is architecturally designed and is quite unique in its appearance. It was originally opened in 1977 with viewing areas above all play rooms so that the centre could work in conjunction with the early childhood department. The centre's unusual building shape adds to its unique feel and atmosphere. The external walls are windows, which captures the natural light and allows the natural bush setting to be viewed from all rooms. It is a very attractive and relaxing setting for learning.

Our playground is designed to allow children to explore nature and discover the natural environment. We want children to be able to dig in the mud, climb trees, discover and learn about insects and enjoy connecting with nature. The many activities we offer enable children to immerse themselves in the natural elements of their surroundings and feel inspired to create, imagine and play.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan

KU was proud to launch its inaugural Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2016. At KU Kintaiba, we began our journey to develop our centre’s RAP in 2018 and are proud to present it here.

Other Features

Child Care Subsidy

Cooked Meal

Designed Centre

Hat and Sunscreen

Lunch

Transition to School

Public Transport

Play-based Learning

Parking

Outdoor Play

Nappies

Storypark

Education for Sustainability

University Qualified Educators

Experienced Staff

Award

The daily fees for 2024 at KU Kintaiba Children's Centre are:

Infants: $159
Toddlers: $159
Preschoolers: $154

This is the full daily fee. If you are entitled to Child Care Subsidy, this will reduce the daily fee you are charged.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, KU has remained very proudly a not-for-profit provider of quality education for more than 125 years. In the past, KU has taken great pride in offering the very best services with minimal increased fees wherever possible. However this year is different, escalating operating costs have meant that in 2024 we are forced to increase fees at a higher rate than we would normally.

The fee increase will ensure we can continue to improve the quality of our services and invest in our highly skilled teachers and educators. We recognise our staff are the heart of KU as they build strong nurturing relationships with children and families whilst continuing to provide a high-quality learning program. These are vital factors that contribute to what is most important to us all – the best outcomes for children.

Overall, KU services hold the highest ratings across the National Quality Standard, with 82% of our services either Excellent or Exceeding, compared to the sector benchmark of 45%.

KU does not distribute our profits to shareholders or send them offshore.

About Child Care Subsidy

Child Care Subsidy is the main payment to assist families with the costs of childcare. It is paid directly to the childcare provider and passed onto families as a fee reduction wherever families meet the criteria. The level of subsidy you receive, as well as the number of hours you will be subsidised, depends on your individual family’s circumstances.

If you do not already have one, you will need a MyGov account linked to Centrelink to claim any subsidy you may be eligible for, and to find out more information, please contact Centrelink on 136 150 or visit www.dese.gov.au.

NSW Start Strong Fee Relief

From 2024, the NSW government has provided additional fee relief funding, based on $2,110 per eligible 4 year old child attending a preschool program within a long day care service. This funding is applied as a weekly credit to the gap fee after CCS has been applied or to full fees where a family does not receive CCS. The Start Strong fee relief will not impact CCS entitlements.

If your child is 3 years old and not yet 4 years old on, or before 31 July 2024 and enrolled at an eligible long day care service, you will receive up to $500 in fee relief.

Start Strong fee relief funding is for children who are 4 years old on or before 31 July 2024, and can only be accessed in one service. This could either be in a community preschool or long day care service. If you have a child who may be eligible, please discuss this with your service Director.

The NSW Department of Education requires parents to sign the ‘Fee Relief Declaration and Consent’ form at the time of enrolment. Your eligibility for Start Strong fee relief Funding is conditional upon signing this form.

KU Kintaiba Children's Centre