TAFE NSW Newcastle Children’s Centre

At TAFE NSW Newcastle Children’s Centre, we are proud to give children the freedom to explore and learn about their individual capabilities. Children are encouraged to do this by engaging in risky play and pushing their natural boundaries. 

If they’d rather do new things at their own pace, that’s okay, too. Children are free to be as involved or observant as they prefer. Either way, our children are supported on their journey to develop curiosity and confidence for every step they take. 

We know that each child is on an individual journey, which is why we greatly believe in responding to children one-on-one. Every child achieves their milestones when they’re ready. That’s why we don’t have a big focus on cultivating independence until a child is ready. 

Our focus is on responsive practice and development to readiness. This means we give children the space to learn how to do things in their own time. When they are ready to explore and play more independently, we respond to help them build these skills in their own way. 

If you're interested in joining our team of early childhood educators, see below.

Location: Q Block
266 Maitland Road,
Tighes Hill NSW 2297

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 5:30pm, open 48 weeks of the year 

Ages: 6 weeks to 5 years 

Number of children: Licensed to look after up to 40 children per day

Inclusions: Wet wipes, nappy cream, ben linen, hats, sunscreen and insect repellent. 

National Quality Standard (NQS) rating: Meeting

At our centre, children are taught the difference between activities that are risky but still safe, and behaviours that are simply unsafe altogether. All activities are age appropriate, and children who prefer a higher level of support, receive it. 

At the same time they are gently encouraged to build the skills to experiment more independently in the future. Our educators provide one-on-one support and maintain a close distance to each child to ensure they are always safe.

Risky play to build confidence 

At TAFE NSW Newcastle Children’s Centre, we encourage children to engage in risky play, if and when they are ready to do so. 

Risky play is all about looking for ways that children naturally push their physical boundaries. It embraces the idea of open-ended play that is exciting or challenging. Children can experiment with toys or play equipment to try something new, be curious about the outcome and discover what happens. 

For example, at the centre children can play at height. They’re encouraged to climb, balance and jump from a height if they feel confident to do so. We have A-shaped climbing frames. Children can climb onto the rungs of a shorter A-frame and walk on flat balancing boards to a taller A-frame. Children then climb up this 1.5-metre tall frame, build up their courage and jump onto a crash mat. 

Activities like this help to build confidence in children and guide them to independently navigate risks while playing, with the support of educators. 

Risky play gifts children with the freedom to explore and learn about their individual capabilities.  

Starting off the day outside 

We try to have a flexible routine to respond to what children need on any given day. Generally, children will be outside in the morning in warm and dry weather and share one large outdoor space. Children enjoy playing and running around in a natural outdoor environment, surrounded by greenery. 
There’s also a spacious sandpit and a climbing gym to explore. In winter we prefer to stay sheltered from the cold and wet, and so there’s family grouping indoors, during mornings and evenings. 

Enriching indoor activities 

From 9:30 –10:30am progressive morning tea is offered. Children come up during the hour when they’re ready to eat, and then go back to free play. At around 11 –11:30am children will head back inside, have lunch, then spend time in age-grouped rooms. There are two rooms, one for children aged 0–3 years, and a preschool room for 3–5 year-old children. There’s an array of indoor activities for children to choose from, including art and cooking experiences and science experiments. There are also fine motor skills activities, like doing puzzles and manipulating Play-Doh.

What you will need to bring each day

You will need to bring baby bottles with breastmilk or formula, nappies, food, a spare change of clothes and a drink bottle with water. Older children will need food, a spare change of clothes and a drink bottle with water. 

For enrolment enquiries, please fill out an Application for Care Form and email it to us. You’ll need to fill out a separate application form for each child you’re enquiring about. 

Once we receive a completed form for each child, we’ll contact you to let you know if we have vacancies and which days are available. Alternatively, we’ll ask you if you’d like to go on a waitlist. 

We invite all families to do a tour of the centre and a handful of orientation visits. That way you can become familiar with the centre and get to know our educators and philosophy first hand. 

To submit your application, you will need to provide:

• Birth certificate

• Medicare card

• Health care/Pension card (if you have one)

• Immunisation record (must be through Medicare, blue books are not accepted).

Please note: Children must meet government immunisation requirements or have an approved exemption to be eligible for Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

There are five steps to complete enrolment:

1. Apply for Child Care Subsidy (if eligible) – Parents/guardians submit a claim to Centrelink.

2. Agree on care arrangements – To be confirmed between the Early Childhood Director (ECD) and parents/guardians.

3. Submit enrolment – The ECD submits an enrolment notice to Centrelink via HubHello.

4. Confirm enrolment – The parents/guardians verify the enrolment with Centrelink.

5. Secure enrolment – If you accept an offer, we’ll send a formal letter detailing the next steps. This includes submitting a birth certificate, proof of immunisation and a security deposit to secure your childcare placement.

Once the enrolment is completed and approved your entitlements can be calculated, and payments made.

Under Family Assistance Law, all children attending an early learning centre must have an enrolment notice, regardless of Child Care Subsidy (CCS) eligibility. For eligible families, Centrelink/Services Australia can only process CCS claims once the correct enrolment is in place.

For any questions, please email us or call us on 02 7921 6907.

If you still have questions, please call us directly on 02 7921 6907 or email us below.

We look forward to welcoming your family to our Children’s Centre.