All of our Centres are licensed to care for children from 6 weeks of age through to school age. Please note that our Coburg Centre currently welcomes children aged 12 months and older.

Our Centres are licensed to operate from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday to Friday, 52 weeks of the year. We are closed on all public holidays.

Please note: Actual closing times may vary based on family needs. We recommend checking directly with your Centre for specific daily hours.

At our centre, all meals and snacks—aside from any bottles you provide—are thoughtfully prepared and provided by us. We focus on offering nutritious, balanced meals made from fresh, wholesome ingredients. Our children even take part in growing vegetables and herbs in our garden, which they help tend and harvest.

Mealtimes are more than just eating—they’re special rituals for connection and conversation. We gather in small groups to share stories and enjoy each other’s company, fostering a warm community atmosphere.

We respect and value children as competent decision-makers. Rather than adhering strictly to a fixed schedule, we offer progressive mealtimes, allowing children to choose when they would like to eat. This empowers their independence and supports their natural hunger cues.

Yes, however if your child requires a particular brand or type, we recommend supplying your own.

We offer a set daily fee, however the amount you pay may vary depending on how many days your child attends. You may also be eligible for government subsidies, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. For a personalised quote, please speak with the Centre Director.

Like most early learning centres, The Learning Space is closed on public holidays. If your child’s regular day falls on a public holiday, fees still apply to help cover staffing costs—this is standard practice across the sector.

Early childhood educators, like all professionals, are entitled to be paid on public holidays. The Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) includes up to 42 absence days per year, which covers public holidays—so in most cases, your subsidy will still apply.

Where possible, we’re happy to offer a make-up day in line with our Make-Up Day Policy.

While make-up days are not a requirement for early childhood services, we value our partnership with families and aim to support flexibility where we can. Make-up days are offered at the discretion of management and depend on availability, licensing requirements, and educator-to-child ratios.

Families may be eligible for a make-up day in the following circumstances: • Your child is absent due to illness • A regular booked day falls on a public holiday

We’ll always do our best to accommodate your needs, but please note that make-up days cannot be guaranteed.

At The Learning Space, fees still apply for days your child is absent due to illness. This is standard practice across the early childhood education sector, as centres must continue to cover operating costs and maintain staffing.

The Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) covers up to 42 absence days per financial year without the need for documentation. If your child is unwell beyond these 42 days, additional absences may be covered if you provide a medical certificate or similar documentation.

In line with our Make-Up Day Policy, families may request a make-up day for an absence due to illness. Make-up days are subject to availability, staffing ratios, and licensing requirements, and cannot be guaranteed.

Normal fees apply for all absences that fall on your child’s usual day of attendance. However, families may be eligible for a holiday discount if:

• Written notice is provided at least two weeks in advance

• Fees are up to date at the time of the request

The holiday discount applies to up to eight days of care per calendar year and is designed to support families planning time away.

Please speak with the Centre Director to submit your request or to find out more.

The Child Care Subsidy is the main way the Government assists families with their child care fees.

Child Care Subsidy Eligibility

Some basic requirements must be satisfied for an individual to be eligible to receive Child Care Subsidy for a child. These include:

• the age of the child (must be aged 13 or under and not attending secondary school, except in certain circumstances where an individual may be eligible for a child who does not meet this criteria, such as children with a disability or medical condition in certain circumstances)

• the child meeting immunisation requirements

• the individual, or their partner, meeting the residency requirements listed in the legislation.

In addition, to be eligible for Child Care Subsidy the individual must be liable to pay for care provided, the care must be delivered in Australia by an approved child care provider, and not be part of a compulsory education program.

Child Care Subsidy entitlement

• Combined annual family income

• Activity test – the activity level of both parents

• Service type – type of child care service and whether the child attends school

The Child Care Subsidy is generally paid directly to service providers to be passed on to families as a fee reduction. Families make a co-contribution to their child care fees and pay to the provider the difference between the fee charged and the subsidy amount.

There is also targeted additional fee assistance for vulnerable families through the Child Care Safety Net.

Families can get an estimate of what they may be entitled to by entering their details into the Department of Human Services Payment and Service Finder.