TAFE NSW St George Children’s Centre

At TAFE NSW St George Children’s Centre, your child will be welcomed and feel at home in our heritage Kameruka Cottage.  We fully appreciate the high level of trust and care it takes to have someone look after your child. That’s why we prioritise a family-centred approach where you are always welcome to pop in and have a chat.

There are two rooms, the babies and toddlers' room for 0-3 year olds and the preschoolers' room for children aged 3-6 years. We always have four educators in the 0–3 years' room and three educators in the 3–5 years' room.

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

Location: Kameruka Cottage 
57 Montgomery Street, 
Kogarah NSW 2217

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

Ages: 6 weeks to 6 years

Number of children: 26 per day

National Quality Standard (NQS) rating: Meeting

Our name means “wait here until I come,” in Dharug, the local Aboriginal Language.

Our heritage cottage setting is warm and inviting. The indoor and outdoor spaces encourage play and exploration, with areas for dramatic play, cooking, reading and construction. We also offer sensory experiences like water play and wet sand activities. Despite being in a commercial area, we’ve created a natural, homely environment. 

We have engaging table activities in the preschool room, including a cosy book corner. We also have a construction area for fine motor skills and an obstacle course for fundamental movement skills. Outdoors, we provide spaces for water play and wet sand activities.

Connecting with community

Your child will connect with the community through library visits and school tours. We also visit Bethlehem House, a local nursing home where children can play, cook and create art with residents.

We are committed to providing a secure and nurturing environment. Our program values play and fosters positive partnerships, helping children understand their cultural context. Our curriculum reflects the multicultural community of Kogarah, our educators and the children at our centre. Your child will feel welcomed, celebrated and learn about different cultures.

Your child will be welcomed when they arrive. In the morning, children gather in a family setting to socialise and engage in quiet play. We start the day with a group gathering where children share stories and experiences and get settled into their day.

Play-based learning

We have a flexible routine that includes a progressive morning tea and free play. Children can enjoy morning tea at their own pace while others explore activities that interest them, like art, construction and outdoor play. The rest of our morning is spent learning and exploring together.

Group learning sessions

After morning tea, the children often participate in group learning sessions. Children are then invited to explore engaging, interest-based activities designed to build each child’s development. These activities include creative arts, science, maths, music and movement.

Lunch and rest

We promote independence as children open their lunchboxes and choose their food. After lunch there is a rest period, where babies and toddlers follow their own sleep routines, while older children engage in quiet activities, or rest too.

Rounding out the day

The afternoon is a time to slowly transition back into learning and play. Educators set up new educational activities that will often follow on from what has been taught that morning, to create continuity of learning. This could be craft activities, outdoor exploration, music and interactive learning.

Preschoolers focus on school readiness, while younger children learn through play. This time is also used to build emotional awareness and resilience as we reflect on our day together. At the end of the day, when you pick up your child, our educators will share insights about your child’s experiences and achievements.

What you will need to bring each day

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, wipes, nappies, a hat and bed sheets for sleep time.

”From the moment we stepped in, we felt welcomed and at ease knowing our child was in such a nurturing and safe environment. The educators at the centre are incredibly professional, warm and dedicated to creating a positive and engaging space for children to grow and learn.”

Parent of a baby.

“My son has been at Kameruka Cottage since August 2024. I can feel his happiness and confidence every day when we go home! I am so thankful for every teacher that cares for my son.  The educators are kind, caring and passionate. They always create beautiful planned experiences for all the children. Every day is filled with lots of fun and laughter.”

Parent of a toddler.

You can call us on 02 9588 1975, or fill out an Application for Care Form and email it to us below. We’ll guide you through the process.

You can check our availability on Starting Blocks or the Care for Kids website.

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) – To be confirmed between the Early Childhood Director (ECD) and parents/guardians.
2. Agree on care arrangements – The ECD and parent/guardian confirm the child’s care details.
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. If there are no vacancies, we can add you to the waiting list. 

Under Family Assistance Law, all children attending an early learning centre must have an enrolment notice, regardless of 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 9588 1975.

We’d love to hear from you. You can call us on 02 9588 1975, or email us below.