7-9 Hampstead Road
MAIDSTONE VIC 3012
KU Maidstone goes beyond childcare. We create a safe and nurturing environment where childhood is celebrated.
We are proud of our reputation within the local community of providing rich education and care tailored to each child’s needs in a family-focused and supportive way.
Our experienced and dedicated educators build strong, trusting relationships with each child, fostering a sense of belonging and confidence.
Celebrated for our clean, homely environment and friendly community feel, KU Maidstone offers a large outdoor play area and plenty of dedicated parking for easy drop-off and pick-up.
When children play and explore, their imagination and curiosity are sparked – they enjoy learning and are inspired to continue learning more.
Our play-based program intentionally provides a wide range of engaging opportunities and activities based on the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
We put emphasis on building strong, respectful and reciprocal relationships with children and families. Our key educator approach assigns one educator to a small group, establishing consistency and familiarity. This in turn supports positive engagement and learning.
KU Maidstone has been independently assessed by the Victorian Department of Education and are proud to be rated as Meeting the National Quality Standard.
We believe that the positive interactions children have with our staff are the most important component of our high-quality program. Our team of teachers and educators are qualified, experienced, caring and motivated.
Our staff undergo continuous professional development, staying at the forefront of early childhood education.
Michelle Richards is the Acting Director at KU Maidstone. Michelle is a university qualified early childhood teacher with over 30 years’ experience working with young children.
Michelle’s commitment to quality education and care is her passion, and she strives to provide experiences filled with fun, learning and friendships, and that are inclusive of all children, families and the community.
“I have always believed that our childhood memories are made up of natural experiences like climbing a tree to eat fresh mulberries and that the generosity of others is what we feel so thankful for. I want children, educators and families to experience these feelings around me.”
Age group | Fees |
---|---|
Infants | $167.00 |
Toddlers | $167.00 |
Preschoolers | $164.50 |
This is the full daily fee. However, if you are entitled to Child Care Subsidy, this will reduce the daily fee you are charged.
In addition, the Victorian Government provides Free Kinder funding for eligible 3- and 4-year-old children attending a kindergarten program within a long day care service.
Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is the main payment to assist families with the costs of childcare. It is paid directly to the childcare provider and passed onto families as a fee reduction wherever families meet the criteria.
The level of subsidy you receive, as well as the number of hours you will be subsidised, depends on your individual family’s circumstances.
To claim any subsidy, you may be eligible for, you will need a MyGov account linked to Centrelink. For more information, contact Centrelink on 136 150 or visit www.dese.gov.au.
Our Victorian long day care services offer a kindergarten program funded by the Victorian Department of Education and Training. If you have a child aged 3 or 4 years, you may elect to use your kindergarten funding at our service.
The funding to deliver Free Kinder is provided to our service directly from the Victorian Government. The Victorian Government’s Free Kinder payments will be deducted from the gap fees that you pay, after CCS, up to a value of around $2,000 for a 15-hour program. If your child is enrolled in a three-year-old kindergarten program for less than 600 hours per year, Free Kinder will be applied on a pro-rata basis.
This funding is applied as a weekly credit to the gap fee after CCS has been applied or to full fees where a family does not receive CCS. The Free Kinder payment does not impact CCS entitlements.
Free Kinder funding is for children who are 3 and 4 years old in the two years before attending formal schooling and can only be accessed in one service. This could either be in a sessional kindergarten or long day care service. If you have a child who may be eligible, please discuss this with your Service Director.
To be eligible for Free Kinder funding, the Victorian Department of Education and Training requires parents to sign the ‘Fee Relief Declaration and Consent’ form at the time of enrolment.
KU has remained very proudly a not-for-profit provider of quality education for 130 years. Our fees are designed to cover the operational costs of delivering the unique KU learning experience, and to ensure KU can continue delivering those experiences for many years to come.
Any surplus we may make is reinvested into our local staff, continually improving the quality of our services, and ensuring our long-term sustainability. KU does not distribute our profits to shareholders or send them offshore.
Highly respected for our high quality programs, KU's National Quality Standard Ratings far exceed the national average.
KU was established in 1895 and is the most experienced provider of early childhood education in Australia.
As an Employer of Choice for 9 years running and certified Great Place to Work, we attract the best and brightest staff who stay with KU for longer.
11 Alfred Lane
MELBOURNE VIC 3004
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KU respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the many lands on which our services are delivered.
The contribution by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to the education of young children existed long before our story began.
Proudly a not for profit and for purpose organisation
© KU Children’s Services 2024
Proudly a not for profit and for purpose organisation
© KU Children’s Services 2024
The centre is purpose-built and architecturally designed or recently refurbished.
The service has a chef and provides a seasonal menu with freshly cooked food, including morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack.
The service has a dedicated team of experienced early childhood teachers and educators who work with you to support your child’s learning and wellbeing.
As part of the service’s duty of care in minimising exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) and promoting sun safe practices among children, families and staff, the service provides each child with a KU hat and sunscreen is administered by staff where possible 20 minutes before commencing outdoor play.
The service provides extended hours of care and operates a minimum of eight hours a day.
The service has embraced a commitment to a more sustainable early education community, embedding sustainability into pedagogy and practice. We welcome families' participation.
Parking for drop-off and pick-up is available.
All nappies are supplied by the service and included in the fee.
The service is accessible by public transport and is close to a train station and/or public buses.
Our high-quality play-based programs are based on current research and are planned by experienced and qualified early childhood staff. Through play, children learn the skills, knowledge, feelings and dispositions that provide a solid foundation for their life-long learning.
The service provides a secure, private online communication portal called Storypark at no cost that is designed to document your child’s progress and learning and provide you with updates about your child.
The service offers a full preschool program and places a strong emphasis on programs that challenge and extend children’s abilities and confidence, aiding their transition to school.
This KU service has university qualified teachers with early education and care qualifications.
The service is an approved service for CCS, therefore fees may vary depending on individual circumstances.