KU Koala Preschool

61 Murray Street
WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650
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  • Monday to Friday 8:00am - 3:30pm
Preschoolers NSW Fee Relief – Preschool

Our Program and Approach

At KU Koala, our educational program is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework and our knowledge of early childhood theory and practice. We recognise the importance of play-based learning and intentional teaching, and place great importance on relationships to ensure an optimal learning environment for young children.

We recognise the need for natural and constructed environments, both indoor and outdoor, and the importance of open-ended spaces that provide children with opportunities for interaction, spontaneity, risk taking, exploration, discovery and connection with nature.

Through close connections and interactions with children and careful observations of their learning and development, we gain in-depth knowledge about the strengths, needs and interests of each child. This knowledge forms the basis of our curriculum and learning environment.

At KU Koala, our program offers children the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of learning experiences and activities. We aim for all children to develop secure reciprocal relationships with their educators and peers. We want the children to grow up to be confident people who respect diversity and make a valued contribution to society. Partnerships with families and strong attachments with children are the foundation of our program. Educators have been trained in the ‘Circle of Security’, a specific program based on attachment theory and have a thorough understanding of the importance of supporting children to feel secure within the environment.

We greatly value the strong relationships between our staff, children and families, and we look forward to the opportunity of including your family in the life of our centre.


Our Specialisation

In addition to the high quality well-rounded programs we offer, all KU centres are also encouraged to develop an area of specialisation.

At KU Koala, we specialise in providing an aesthetically beautiful learning environment, both inside and outside, that invites curiosity, initiative, awe and wonder. We see the environment as being the third teacher, placing equal importance on the indoor and outdoor environment, which sets us aside from many other local services. Our inviting, resourceful environment facilitates a wonderful zest for learning and respect for nature.

We incorporate this into our program through all activities, using a variety of attractive resources to create inviting environments for the children.

We feel that the children benefit from this specialisation, because an asethically, well planned environment will provide a rich, multi-sensory, natural learning experience so children feel eager to explore and learn. It also promotes the use of recycled materials to develop the children’s respect for the environment and develop and promote sustainability practices.


Our Quality


Our centre has been independently assessed by the Department of Education NSW under the National Quality Standards, and are proud to be rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standard.


However what matters most is what our families think...

“We love the way the exceptional educators nurture and support every child. It is obvious how much effort and care they invest in the children and it is so satisfying seeing the immense pride our daughter has of her achievements everyday.” – KU Koala parent

“Our children have been treated with expert education at the hands of the amazing KU Koala team and we are truly blessed that our children have been given such a vibrant, enjoyable and rich start of their educational journey.” – KU Koala parent

Our Environment

Each KU centre is unique. The best outcomes for children are created within relationships and interactions between children and staff, and children and their families, not within four walls. We work hard to create beautiful, interesting, homelike learning environments for children – whatever our setting.

We have a beautiful garden environment with an arrangement of stunning mature trees that change with the seasons and provide natural shade during summer. The garden provides open spaces and more secluded areas for quiet play, that encourages opportunities for interaction, spontaneity, risk taking, exploration, discovery and connection with nature.

Our playground is designed to allow children to explore nature and discover the natural environment. We want children to be able to dig in the mud, climb trees, discover and learn about insects and enjoy connecting with nature. The many activities we offer enable children to immerse themselves in the natural elements of their surroundings and feel inspired to create, imagine and play.


Our Awards

In 2019, Kirrily Brassil from KU Koala was awarded the 'Making the KU Difference for Children' Award, recognising her exceptional ability to connect with children and dedication to making a difference in children's lives.

In 2018, Tanya Green from KU Koala received the 'Making the Difference Award' by the Early Childhood Australia Riverina Branch, which recognises the significant difference she has made in children’s lives.

The team at KU Koala Preschool was awarded the 'Making the KU Difference by Representing KU' Award in 2015. This award recognised the team's work in representing KU in the wider early education sector.

The Annual KU Difference Awards were introduced a number of years ago, as a way of acknowledging KU staff who have made a significant contribution to KU. These annual awards are open to all KU staff, at any level (either individual staff or a team), who have worked above and beyond their normal duties.


Our Reconciliation Action Plan

KU was proud to launch its inaugural Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2016. At KU Koala, we began our journey to develop our centre’s RAP in 2018 and we are proud to launch it now. Please view it here.


Other Features

Designed Centre
Hat and Sunscreen
Transition to School
Play-based Learning
Outdoor Play
Award
Storypark
Education for Sustainability

photo of Dibs Cowley

Dibs Cowley

Director

Dibs is a university qualified early childhood teacher with over 30 years’ experience working with children and babies. She has been working at KU Koala since 2002.

Dibs is passionate about the importance of the early years and believes it is her social responsibility to ensure that all families experience high quality early childhood programs with a dedicated, qualified and creative team of educators that continually engage in meaningful reflection, to create a safe and nurturing environment for each child.

Our Team

Our team of early childhood educators are qualified, experienced, caring and highly motivated. All hold specialist qualifications in early childhood education. We believe that the positive interactions children have with our staff are the most important component of our high quality program.

The daily fees for 2024 at KU Koala Preschool are:

Fee Amount
4 year old Start Strong Fee Relief fee FREE
3 year old Start Strong Fee Relief fee $10.00
Start Strong Equity Fee Relief fee FREE
Unfunded fee $79.00

Which fee will you pay?

The NSW Government is committed to ensuring that all children in NSW can participate in 600 hours of quality preschool education in the year before school, no matter where they live or what their circumstances are.

To ensure that affordability is not a barrier for families with young children, the NSW Government provides Start Strong funding making 600 hours, or 15 hours per week, of preschool participation in the two years before school more affordable. In KU preschools, this 15 hours per week is met by enrolling for two days per week.

Start Strong Free Preschool (3 year olds and 4 year olds)

From 2024, the NSW government has provided additional fee relief funding, based on $4,220 per eligible child. This enables NSW preschools to reduce the daily fee as much as possible, within the Start Strong funding parameters.

This funding is for children who turn 3 or 4 years of age by 31 July in the preschool year and are enrolled in a preschool program for 15 hours per week. Across KU Preschools, the ‘15 hours’ is usually met by enrolling in two x 7.5 hour days per week.

Start Strong fee relief can only be accessed at one service, either a preschool or long day care service. This ensures as many children as possible can access affordable early childhood education.

Start Strong Equity Fee Relief Fee

The NSW government provides further funding for children who meet the Start Strong Equity funding criteria. If you think you may be eligible for Equity funding, please speak with the Preschool Director further about this.

Unfunded Fee

The Unfunded Fee is charged when a family has chosen to access the Start Strong fee relief at another community preschool or long day care service.