Sadleir/Miller
St Therese Preschool & Long Day Care
96 Cartwright Avenue, Sadleir NSW 21680436 813 701 or 02 8107 9989 or 02 8107 9990
Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Ages: 2 to 6 years old
We are proudly rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standards in all 7 areas!
My name is Anitha Arul and I am the Centre Director of St Therese Preschool & Long Day Care. It is with much honour and gratitude that I uphold this esteemed position. I have 19 years experience in the Early Childhood field and have grown to love this profession more and more. I was a primary school teacher back home in India. I have a Diploma in Children’s Services and a Bachelor of Teaching (0-5) obtained in Australia. I am very passionate to work in this play based curriculum and educate our future citizens, be it our next prime minister, a space scientist or a pedagogical practioner. My optimistic and positive attitude in this field has allowed me to embark and embrace this learning journey together with our young learners. Research has proved the first five years of a child’s life is so crucial and families play a vital role as they are our first and foremost resource pertaining to their child.
At St Therese Early Childhood Service, we continually aim to provide you with the best quality, affordable and flexible education and care, in a stimulating and engaging learning environment. We have great professionals, who all strive to work towards one goal of educating , caring and nurturing your children’s growth and developmental learning. Our strong play based approach in our stimulating environment encourages children to freely explore, discover, imagine, problem solve and become resilient individuals now and in their future.
“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning” – Fred Rogers.
Play is serious business for a child. Another important aspect for my team and myself is working in utmost collaboration and partnership with our families, children, educators and other stakeholders.
At St Therese Early Childhood Service, we promote play based teaching and are committed to provide the highest quality care and education, where by our children develop academic skills and enhance other domains of learning holistically. Throughout my 19 years of this journey I have strived to deliver strong play based pedagogical practices. I am a conceptual and a community leader who takes pride in delivering the needs of the community and developing ways to communicate effectively.
I warmly welcome you and your children and extended families to St Therese Early Childhood Service. You have entrusted us to be part of your child’s life, so let’s work together in partnership and collaboration for the betterment of your children not only academically but spiritually.
“A word or a smile is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul ” – St Therese of Lisieux
Warmly,
Anitha Arul
Director – Early Childhood Trained Teacher
St Therese Early Childhood Service Philosophy
At St Therese Early Childhood Service, we believe that we are founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ, enriched by the gospel. We strive to achieve a “Holistic, all-encompassing” learning environment that is steered by the approved “Early Years Learning Framework, the National Quality Standards and our reflective pedagogical practices”.
Children: We believe children are capable, resourceful and important members of the community. Children’s perception of the world around them is shaped by the experiences and interactions we engage them in. We believe play is an essential method of this engagement as it has a powerful influence on children’s social, physical, emotional and cognitive development. Learning in a play-based environment creates a setting that allows children to “just be” and caters for individualised learning. Our programs are organised to cater to children’s interests, enhance learning and provide meaningful opportunities for creativity, imagination, curiosity and negotiation. We believe play should be both intentional and spontaneous, stimulating, empowering and challenging whilst building upon children’s knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
Environment: The learning environment at the service is shaped by a wide range of factors governed by both nature and nurture. The indoor and outdoor environment is dynamic to engage, capture the interests of our children, stimulate their imaginations and promote creativity. We continually enhance the aesthetics and learning experiences by incorporating natural elements, allowing children an opportunity to interact with the environment as it becomes the third teacher. The service continually fosters this engagement through nature along with sustainable practices, giving children consideration and connection to the natural world around them.
Community: We believe that each child, family and educator are unique and value the diversity that they bring to the service. We continually develop respectful partnerships with both children and families within the context of our Catholic Precinct encompassing the school, parish and local community. Children and families are welcome to participate in the spiritual practices at the service as we believe this creates a community united in the fellowship of the Catholic faith.
Educators: We continually observe and value the processes of inquiry as our children develop new understanding by encouraging them to be self guided, ask questions and problem solve. We value the individual abilities of each child and strive to create a service of excellence through inclusive practices that are reflective in the mission of Jesus Christ. We believe each educator’s culture, beliefs, abilities and language should be acknowledged beyond a recognition of differences and more importantly integrated within our practices. Educators continue to develop this sense of cultural competence by understanding and effectively engaging with children and families across various cultures at the service.
St Therese Early Childhood Service Vision – Developed 30.10.19
Current Fees
Preschool and Long Day Care (11 hour session)
7:00am – 6:00pm
- 2 – 3 years old – $125
- 3 – 6 years old – $120
*daily fee will be reduced if families are eligible for Child Care Subsidy
The majority of families in our services would not pay the full daily fee because they receive Child Care Subsidy (CCS) from the government.
Other Fees
- Special Events: Families will be notified, these may be for events such as incursions at the services
- Dishonour Fee: If direct debit is declined, families will be notified by SCECS that a family deposit may be debited and bank fees charged.
Late Fee For Pick-Ups After Service Closing Time
-
- 0-15 minutes late: $20.00
- Every 5 minutes thereafter: $10.00
*Fees are subject to change, however, you will be notified in writing two weeks prior to any fee changes.
Absent Fees
Initial Absence Days
Like most early childhood services and preschools, your child’s place is reserved when they are away so the day still needs to be paid for. Each financial year, the Family Assistance Office will pay your child’s CCS entitlements for the first 42 absence days. These absences can be for any reason, including public holidays, and the initial 42 days must be used before any additional absences can be claimed (please see below).
Additional Absence Days
You may receive CCS for absence days after the initial 42 days each financial year. For all absences beyond the first 42 absent days, CCS will only be paid if you are able to provide evidence to demonstrate the absence has occurred under permitted circumstances. There is no limit on these days, but you will be required to provide documentation to support the absence.
Exceptional Absence Days
You may receive CCS for an additional 20 exceptional absence days after the initial 42 absence days per financial year. These entitlements can be claimed without evidence if documentation is provided for 31 of the initial 42 absence days.
No Charge for Public Holidays
If a public holiday falls on the day of a permanent booking that you hold, you will NOT be charged for this day.
Taking Holidays
Normal fees apply for all absences (except for Public Holidays) that fall on a usual day of attendance.
Withdrawal from Care
Families provide two week’s written notice to cancel your child’s booked attendance at our services. The two weeks’ advance payment we hold will be applied to your notice period. If your child does not attend their last usual days, full fees will apply. This means that CCS will not be applied.
Child Care Subsidy
All families are eligible to apply for Child Care Subsidy (CCS). It is income tested and usually paid directly to the childcare services to reduce the fees that eligible families pay. Families can apply for the CCS online or in person through Centrelink. Once you have contacted Centrelink, you will need to provide the centre with your Parent and Child Customer Reference Number (CRN) to claim CCS.
Centrelink Office. Ph: 13 61 50.
When registering with Centrelink please quote the following provider number:
Centre name: St Therese Preschool & Long Day Care Sadleir-Miller
CCS Service ID: 190 032 562B
Fees – Direct Debit
All fees are paid by Direct Debit. Fees are paid fortnightly in advance. Payments will be debited from the family’s nominated account, or as otherwise advised. Strict regulations are followed to ensure that this information is confidential. At the beginning of each term, a notice will be emailed to families, outlining the dates that the Direct Debit will be processed.
Please ensure you have sufficient funds in your account to cover your fortnightly childcare fees. If you have insufficient funds when your Direct Debit is due, please contact the Centre in writing by close of business on the Wednesday of the Direct Debit week. Direct Debit rejections incur a dishonour fee payable by the parent (see current Schedule of Fees above).
SCECS fortnightly Direct Debit payment system is designed to make payments easy.
Download the 2022 SCECS Direct Debit Calendar here
Need to change your payment details?
To update your nominated bank account or credit card details for direct debit payments, please send your updated details to the SCECS Management Team at scecs@syd.catholic.edu.au
Late Payments
Parents are encouraged to discuss any difficulties they may have in paying fees with your SCECS Director. Applications for arrangements in the event of financial hardship should be made to SCECS in writing. If no previous arrangements have been made regarding late payment of fees, SCECS is entitled to terminate the child’s placement after giving one week’s written notice.
In the event that fees are late due to direct debits being declined because of insufficient funds, SCECS will send one reminder email. At the end of two weeks, the child’s placement will be ended and the family’s deposit debited.
In the event of reminder letters being issued more than twice in any 2 month period, SCECS reserves the right to terminate a placement without further reminders.
Invoice / Statements
Invoices/statements are emailed fortnightly
Importance of Early Learning
Facilities & provisions
Enquiring about care
New enrolments
Existing enrolments
Fees, benefits & the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
Immunisation
Our staff
Our Staff

Princess Joy Damaso
Early Childhood TeacherI believe that by enriching the environment, both indoors and outdoors, children are inspired to enhance their sense of wonder, and develop positive attitudes towards learning.

Songsouzana Ping
Early Childhood Teacher/Admin Release for Centre DirectorI recognise that I play a vital role in providing them with a safe and stimulating learning environment as well as implementing engaging learning experiences that not only follow their interests but also support their holistic growth.

Mel Neill
Administrative AssistantI strongly believe that all children should have an opportunity to experience high-quality early childhood education. I am passionate about children’s health and safety and always putting the children’s needs first.

Mehnaz Naeem
Educator – DiplomaI believe that each child is an individual and as an educator I will value and develop each child’s strengths, interests, skills, abilities and knowledge to extend their learning.

Paulina Salcedo
Educator – Certificate III

Nirmala (Doreen) Batumalay
Educator – Certificate IIIChildren are very precious in the eyes of the lord. As a children’s educator, I have been entrusted to bring the best out of children. I believe in providing a safe and supportive environment, and creating a quality learning platform for young minds.

Rose Adams
Chef