What does my child need to bring each day?

Your child will need a bag containing:

• Water bottle
• Lunch in a ‘Bento’ style box. If in Bush Kindy or Vacation Care they will need an iceblock/insulated bag or nonperishable foods
• Closed in shoes for farm visits and excursions
• SunSmart Hat
• Plenty of Spare clothes appropriate to daily weather forecasts (rain, hail, wind or shine!)
• We recommend Mudlarks or similar wet weather outer clothing in winter and gumboots
• for Summer a rashie, and bathers or swim nappy is also recommended
• Enough Nappies or spare underwear for the day. We encourage cloth nappies
• At least two wet bags – one for soiled/wet nappies or underwear and one for wet or dirty clothes.
• For infants, we require a cot sheet and a sleep suit appropriate to the weather. For napping toddlers we ask you to bring a padded swag style bed
• OPTIONAL: Sunscreen, nappy cream, and insect repellent: we do provide all of these, however, some families prefer specific brands

All personal items are tobe labled with both first and last names please

What are your opening hours?

For Long Day Care, Bush Kindy and Vacation care our center opens at 7.00 am and closes at 6:00 pm weekdays. We charge a flat rate fee for all our programs. Nature’s Atelier is closed for public holidays and for a week over the Christmas Period.

Does Nature’s Atelier close over the Christmas Period?

Nature’s Atelier closes over the Christmas break, just before Christmas Day until the day after the New Year’s Day Public Holiday.

Will my child always have the same carers or mentors?

Our mentors are organized into rooms with the children. They have set rosters that are only changed to accommodate illness and annual leave.

Each year in February we transition most children from room to room, when we make this transition we always transition one or two mentors who have spent the past year alongside the children.

What is the best way to communicate with my child’s mentors?

You can discuss your child with the mentors when you drop off and pick up your child or by making an appointment. If you have general queries about your child’s experience at Nature’s Atelier you can contact our Director Fiona@naturesatelier.wa.edu.au or admin@naturesatelier.wa.edu.au for administration inquiries.

What happens when there is rain or extreme weather conditions?

We have many alternatives for children when it is raining or if the weather is extremely windy or hot. Bush Kindy has a bell tent, an inside classroom, workshop and pottery studio which can be used on those rare days. Although we will take children inside when it is raining heavily we will also support the children to play outside.

What about snakes?

Snakes are part of the Australian landscape, we train our staff to assist children to be safe in the environment, and have the environment checked for signs of snake activity both by the staff and by experts when required. Snake bite kits are also included in all our first aid kits.

Regularly, in early spring, we welcome the knowledgeable staff and scaly friends from Discover Deadly into the center where they run information sessions for the older children and staff.

In the unlikely event that a child is bitten by a snake staff are trained to respond and the Busselton hospital is only 8 minutes from Nature’s Atelier.

How can I enroll my child at Nature’s Atelier?

For new families looking to make an enrolment for the first time, you will need to complete the Enrolment Enquiry form on the OWNA website. Please note that completing this form does not guarantee a position at Nature’s Atelier.

After completion of this form, a staff member will email you within 3 business days to set up a tour, inform you of availabilities and respond to any questions. Please note that sometimes these response emails may end up in your junk/spam folder.

If you need support or have not heard back within three business days you can always email us at info@naturesatelier.wa.edu.au or phone our office on 08 9755 8573.

At what age do you accept babies for care at Nature’s Atelier?

Nature’s Atelier accepts babies from 6 months of age.

When can my child attend Bush Kindy?

Children can attend Bush kindy when they are eligible for Kindy under the state system. In some circumstances, children can attend if they turn four in July or August of the school year.

For Children turning 4 from July to December or 3 before July we have the Gardeners program with is our Pre-Kindy program.

What is the CCS (Child Care Subsidy)?

The Child Care Subsidy or CCS is an Australian government initiative to assist you with the cost of child care.

You can find out more about the CCS and your eligibility here. The CCS is managed by Centrelink and it may be worth going into your local Centrelink office for advice or assistance.

It is always worth enquiring about your eligibility for the CCS. The amount you are eligible for depends on your family’s income, the type of child care you enroll in, and recognized activities. There are many activities that are recognized that may contribute to your eligibility. These include such activities as volunteering, study, unpaid work, self-employment and even looking for work activities.

Please note that the government now offers additional support for parents of more than one child under 5 who are attending care.

Once your child has been successfully enrolled for the CCS the amount for which you are eligible will be automatically deducted from your fees. Therefore the amount you will be invoiced for in your fortnightly statements from Nature’s Atelier will be the remaining difference in your fees.

What is the enrolment fee?

Our $100 enrolment fee is essentially an administration fee. For every enquiry made, tour given and for every enrolment process that is initiated Nature’s Atelier invests many staff hours and technical resources. The enrolment fee acknowledges this investment of energy and accounts for the costs of setting up a family in our system.

What is the Bond Fee?

The Bond amount is equal to two weeks’ worth of fees per family. For example, if your child is enrolled for two days per week we charge a Bond amount equal to 4 days of fees, bond is capped at $500. The Bond amount does NOT have the CCS applied.

Bond is a security payment to protect against families leaving the center with outstanding fees and is refunded to your selected account at the cease of your enrolment provided two weeks’ notice is given and your account is up to date. Your Bond will be returned once all outstanding bills are settled and CCS has been balanced.

How does Nature’s Atelier manage Public Holidays?

Nature’s Atelier does not open on public Holidays. We do not charge families for regular bookings that fall on a public holiday.

Do I have to pay to keep my booking when I go on holiday?

We offer a discount of 25% on the equivalent of two weeks per financial year after three months of a permanent booking. Two weeks notice of intention to claim the holiday discount is required.

It is important to note that the CCS is applied to 42 absent days per year so that CCS continues to be applied when you take holidays.

Can we make a regular booking fortnightly?

Our bookings are made on a weekly or fortnightly cycle. For example, you may enrol for 3 day in one week and 2 days in the second week of each fortnight if you wish.

We acknowledge the diversity of family work circumstances here in South West WA and will do our best to accommodate your needs. Please contact us for support on making bookings on a fortnightly cycle.

Please note that for children in our Soft Space and Hub environments, we have a 2-day per-week minimum for regular bookings. This is to ensure the children have the time to develop bonds with their mentors and settle into the environment.

Can I book my child in casually?

If your child is not currently enrolled, Nature’s Atelier does not offer casual bookings in the long day care centre.

If your child is enrolled on a regular basis and there is availability we will do our best to accommodate your needs for casual days. We appreciate as much advance notice as is possible so that we can roster on extra staff members if required.

Casual days booked can be cancelled without charge with a two week notice. Cancelled bookings not given two weeks notice will be charged and marked as an absent day.