Pre School Frequently Asked Questions

We believe it's our combination of experience, relationships, continuity of long-term, committed, loyal and dedicated educators, community connection and a genuine understanding of each child. We want children to feel safe, known, confident and excited to come to Little Sails each day!

Little Sails is open from:

• 7:30am – 5:30pm for Long Day Care 
• 9am – 3pm for Pre School 

Monday to Friday
We are not open on weekends or public holidays.

The minimum age for your child to be able to begin at Little Sails is 3 years of age. They will also need to be competent with the use of the toilet

The first step is to submit an online enquiry/enrolment request through our website here >. Once we receive your enquiry, we can discuss availability, your preferred days and your child's needs.

It is best to place your child's name on the waitlist as early as you can as it can be quite extensive.

Places are subject to availability. Families can discuss their preferred days with us when enquiring. We offer combinations of days – 2 days, 3 days and 5 days.

• Monday/ Tuesday
• Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday
• Thursday/Friday
• Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
• 5 days

Yes. We encourage families to visit Little Sails before enrolling. A tour gives you the opportunity to see our environment, meet our educators and ask questions about your child's individual needs and daily routine. We believe choosing an early learning service should feel like the right fit for both your child and your family.

Yes. We recommend that children have the opportunity to become familiar with Little Sails and their educators before their first full day. We can discuss the best approach for your child during the enrolment process.

Yes, Little Sails is located in the grounds of Brighton-le-Sands Public school, but is privately owned and run by the same approved provider since 2000.

Each child's room is overseen by a qualified room leader and a dedicated team of educators who hold various qualifications ranging from Certificate III in Children’s Services through to a university degree. A Working with Children Check is also a mandatory requirement for all educators at Little Sails.

Little Sails educators maintain a current first aid qualification, anaphylaxis qualification and an asthma management qualification to be able to care for your child in case of an emergency. If your child requires, emergency asthma or anaphylaxis medication, you must notify us.

The daily fees at Little Sails are dependent on the times that your child is booked. There is a different fee for Pre School hours and Long Day Care hours – as well as an 8-hour day option. Once you register for our waitlist, we will be in contact with you to discuss enrolment options – which includes fee schedule

We recommend bringing:

• A labelled bag Lunchbox
• A set of cot-sized sheets to fit on our stretcher beds
• Spare clothing
• A hat
• A water bottle
• Any comfort item your child may need Wear appropriate clothing for messy and outdoor play
• Please label your child's belongings clearly.

Please contact us for our current fee schedule and information about available places.

Yes. Little Sails is an approved early childhood education and care service for the purposes of the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and we offer the Starts Strong fee relief subsidy CCS is paid to the service and reduces the amount families pay in fees. Your individual subsidy depends on your circumstances and is determined by Services Australia.

The amount you pay will depend on your individual CCS entitlement, your child's attendance and our daily fee. Families can use the Australian Government's CCS calculator to estimate their out-of-pocket costs.

Yes, normal fees generally continue to apply when a child is absent from their booked days. Your CCS may continue to apply to eligible absences, subject to government rules. We recommend families speak with us about our current absence policy if you will be away for longer periods of time

We provide Morning tea and Afternoon tea We provide nutritious food and encourage children to develop positive and independent eating habits. We can also discuss allergies, intolerances, cultural or dietary requirements with families before your child starts.

Your child's health and safety are a priority. Before your child starts, we work with families to understand their medical needs and develop the appropriate management and risk-minimisation plans where required.

Yes, Children have opportunities for rest and relaxation during the day. Sleep needs vary considerably between children, so we work with families to understand each child's usual routine and support them according to their individual needs.

That's okay. Children who don't sleep can have a quiet period to rest, relax or participate in appropriate quiet activities.

Yes, children will need to be out of nappies and in undies full time. Educators will be there to of course assist with buttons and toilet paper etc

Our program is play-based and designed to support the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Children learn through play, relationships, exploration and everyday experiences. Our program supports:

• Communication and language
• Social and emotional development
• Confidence and independence
• Early literacy and numeracy
• Creativity
• Physical development
• Problem-solving
• Relationships and belonging

Yes — but we believe school readiness is about much more than learning letters and numbers. We support children to develop the confidence, independence, communication, emotional regulation, social skills and learning dispositions they will need as they transition to school.

We use the software Xplor. Families receive regular updates about their child's experiences, learning and development. We also encourage families to share information from home so we can build a strong connection between home and Little Sails.

We recognise that every child develops differently. We work collaboratively with families, educators and relevant professionals to support children's individual strengths, needs and participation.

Children are cared for by qualified and experienced educators who are committed to creating warm, responsive relationships with children. All educators working at Little Sails meet the relevant qualifications, working with children checks, first aid and child-safety training requirements.

We value continuity of care and aim to provide children with familiar educators and consistent relationships wherever possible.

Our Transition to School Program supports children to develop the skills and confidence they need for their next step. Children have opportunities to develop:

• Independence
• Confidence
• Communication
• Social skills
• Emotional regulation
• Early literacy
• Early numeracy
• Problem-solving

Yes – absolutely! Little Sails is located within the grounds of Brighton-Le-Sands Public School, giving us a unique connection with the local school community. This can help make the transition to school feel more familiar and comfortable for children and families.

No. Attendance at Little Sails does not guarantee enrolment at any particular school. School enrolment is managed separately by the NSW Department of Education.