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Frequently asked Questions
At Maples Early Learning, we know that choosing the right early childhood service is a big decision, and families often have many questions along the way. Our Frequently Asked Questions section is designed to provide clear answers to the most common topics we’re asked about—like how to enrol, what curriculum we follow, how we ensure children’s safety and wellbeing, and what support we offer for individual needs. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or ready to join our community, this section will help guide you through the important details.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are your opening hours?
Hawthorn East Centre is open between 7.00am - 6.30pm.
Kilmore Centre is open between 6.30am - 6.30pm.
- What age groups do you cater to at Maples Early Learning?
Maples Early Learning caters to children from 6 weeks to 5 years old, offering tailored programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Each stage supports age-appropriate learning and development in a safe, nurturing environment, with a strong focus on school readiness.
- Are you open year-round?
Yes, We are open 52 weeks a year. We are closed for all National and Victorian Public Holidays.
- How do I enrol my child?
Enrolling your child is easy and convenient. Simply register via the link above on our website to begin the process and provide your child’s details.
We also encourage you to book a tour through the site so you can visit our centre and speak with our team in person. If you have any questions or need support at any stage, feel free to call us on 1300 216 208 — we’re here to help and look forward to welcoming your family to our community.
- Can I take a tour of the centre before enrolling?
Yes, you can book a tour from our home page or by calling 1300 216 208.
- Do you have a waitlist?
Maples Early Learning is a high quality early learning provider with families frequently requesting care and education for their child.
We recommend that families register their child's details on our waiting list if Maples is of interest to you. There is no commitment by registering, it ensures that your child is inline for a place at Maples. If you prefer to speak with a team member you can call 1300 216 208.
- Does your centre have parking?
Yes, both Kilmore and Hawthorn East have onsite car parking for families. Hawthorn East has two points of entry, one being from Tooronga Road via the laneway next to Liberty Oil and from Toorak Road.
- What curriculum do you follow?
Our curriculum is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), both of which place the child at the center of the learning journey.
We believe in fostering curiosity, creativity, and independence by creating rich, engaging environments that invite exploration and collaboration. Educators observe and respond to each child’s interests, using these as a foundation for planning meaningful experiences that support cognitive, emotional, and social development.
Through this play-based and inquiry-driven approach, we nurture a lifelong love of learning and encourage children to express themselves in a variety of ways.
- Do you offer a kindergarten program?
Yes, we offer seperate Three and Four Year Old Kinder Programs. We provide the Free Kinder Subsidy to families accounts each fortnight.
Families who select Maples as their funded provider will receive subsidies up to $2,101.00 for 15 hours a week. Our Kinder Program is taught by Bachelor Qualified Teachers and assisted by Diploma Qualified Educators. Funded children also participate in our exclusive Prep for Prep Program which is taught by a primary trained teacher to further enhance their readiness for school.
- How do you support children with additional needs?
We support children with additional needs through a tailored, inclusive approach that respects each child’s unique abilities and challenges. Our educators work closely with families, specialists, and allied health professionals to develop individual learning plans that align with each child’s strengths and goals.
We adapt our environments and teaching strategies to ensure accessibility, incorporating sensory-friendly materials, visual aids, and flexible routines. Open communication with families is central to our approach, and we regularly consult with therapists and support services to ensure continuity and consistency.
By fostering a nurturing, inclusive setting, we empower all children to thrive, participate fully, and feel a genuine sense of belonging.
- Are meals provided?
Yes, all meals are prepared by an in-house Chef and are included in the daily fee.
We provide a Nutrition Australia endorsed menu including Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Late Snack. We also provide take away dinners for families. Please speak to the Centre Director if would like to register for take home dinners.
- How do you manage allergies and special dietary needs?
We manage allergies and special dietary needs with great care through a comprehensive system of detailed checklists, visual displays, and strong team training.
Each member of our staff is thoroughly trained to follow step-by-step processes that ensure safe food handling, prevent cross-contamination, and accommodate medical, allergy-related, and cultural dietary requirements. Importantly, for any child with a special requirement, we sit down with the family to develop a personalised Risk Minimisation and Communication Plan.
This plan helps us understand the child’s unique needs, clearly communicate across our team, and ensure their health and wellbeing is always protected. Our goal is to create a safe and inclusive environment where every child can thrive.
- What safety and hygiene practices are in place?
We uphold high standards of safety and hygiene through a combination of thorough daily cleaning routines, regular spot checks conducted by management, and support from professional external cleaners.
All of our practices align closely with the Staying Healthy in Childcare guidelines, ensuring that hygiene and infection control measures are consistently followed throughout the day. To further protect the health of all children and staff, we enforce a strict policy that excludes any child who is unwell until they are fully recovered.
Additionally, all enrolled children are required to be immunised, with documentation verified during enrolment. These proactive measures help us maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment where children can learn and thrive.
- How do you communicate with families?
We use the OWNA platform to manage all bookings, accounts, and curriculum updates, providing families with real-time access to important information in one convenient place. Communication with families is a top priority, and we maintain a warm, open-door policy that encourages honest conversations and meaningful engagement.
Our team connects with families daily through face-to-face chats, phone calls, and messages via OWNA, ensuring updates are timely and consistent. We are committed to transparency and inclusivity, always aiming to keep families informed and involved in their child’s journey with us. Feedback is welcomed and valued, helping us continuously improve the care and education we provide.
- What are your fees and do you accept CCS (Child Care Subsidy) and ACCS (Additional Child Care Subsidy?
Our fees vary by location, with Kilmore currently set at $155.00 per day and Hawthorn East at $190.00 per day. Please note that these rates are subject to change. We are an approved provider for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS), which means eligible families will receive a fee reduction directly through the CCS system. For ACCS, families are required to speak with the Director for further information.
The amount of subsidy you receive depends on your family's income, activity level, and childcare usage. We handle all CCS entitlements through our enrolment system, making it easier for families to benefit from the discount automatically. To estimate your eligibility and how much you could save, you can use the official CCS Calculator.
- Do you provide a Holiday Discount?
Yes, we offer four weeks of 50% holiday discount per financial year. Families are encouraged to view the terms and conditions detailed in the service fee policy for further information.
- How do we implement the Victrorian Child Safe Standards to ensure the Safety and Wellbeing of all children?
We implement the Victorian Child Safe Standards through a robust and proactive framework that places children’s safety and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. Our Commitment to Safety is reinforced by comprehensive policies, including Reportable Conduct, Child Protection, and Child Safe Environments, which guide our daily practices and response procedures.
All children’s rooms and outdoor areas (excluding bathrooms) are monitored by CCTV for added security, with footage accessible only to the approved provider and, when necessary, the Department of Education or law enforcement. Our dedicated Safeguarding and Wellbeing Coordinator, Laura Pitt, works across both Kilmore and Hawthorn East to ensure that child safety remains an active priority across our services. Laura leads staff training, supports compliance with all standards, and fosters a culture of vigilance and care.
Together, these measures help create a safe, transparent, and protective environment where every child feels secure, respected, and valued.
- What are the immunisation requirements?
All children must be immunised as per the No Jab No Play Legislation. Families are encouraged to speak with a member of the team on 1300 216 208 for any further information.
- How do I make a complaint or raise a concern?
Complaints are to be addressed to the Samantha and Jarrod Macdonald, contact details are as follows:
- Enquiries@maplesearlylearning.com.au
- 1300 216 208 - Do you charge for Public Holidays?
Yes full fees less any Child Care Subsidy are charged for all permanent bookings that fall on a public holiday, however, we offer a Make Up Day which is seen as a free day in lieu of the charged day. Families have 12 months to use the Make Up Day. For full time children, the day fee will be charged at a 50% discount.
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