We visited Little Zak’s Childcare Centre, located at 32 Ryde Road, Hunters Hill. Since opening 3 years ago, they’ve quickly become an important service in the local community, providing quality childcare to many local families.
Licensed for 76 children across 4 rooms, the centre is open 7am-6pm and takes children 0-6years.
The lovely Director Rita, with 9 years experience in the industry and a Bachelor of Education, gave us a tour of the centre and we have plenty to share!
The Centre
Only 3 years old, Little Zak’s still looks and feels brand new. Outside, children can enjoy an expansive play and learning area with a bike track, chickens, water play, sandpit, slide, climbing walls, treehouse and more – all centred around the most beautiful Gum tree that provides lovely shade to the play area.
Inside, the state of the art rooms are light and bright with great equipment and learning opportunities. The whole centre is professionally cleaned twice a week with additional cleans added in where required, and deep cleans once a month.
Extra-Curricular Activities
We were blown away to find out the extra-curricular activities offered by this centre, most notably the swimming lessons for children 3 years +, held at Carlile on Fridays 11am-12.30pm. This is a game changer for busy working families who are keen for their children to learn to swim but need support to make it happen!
In addition, every child participates in French and Spanish lessons, Yoga, Soccer, incursions and excursions, and best of all it’s all included in the fees (swimming has an additional fee if you choose to do it).
Excursions and Incursions
The excursion program at Little Zak’s is very comprehensive. Our favourite involves the partnership they’ve formed with the local aged care facility, where they take a few children to visit once a month. Here they sing songs and enjoy some activities with elderly locals. They’ve also been to:
- Bunnings to learn about sustainability, and enjoy a tour.
- Taronga zoo
- Aquarium
- Local cafe for babycinos
The incursions have been great fun – and are often child led, depending on what they’re learning about in class. Recently they had snakes, lizards and insects in the classroom to support the learning program.
Little Zak’s Kitchen
We loved learning that every week children prepare one meal from their own menu in their classrooms and then enjoy it later that day. Under the guidance of Chef Nonna, the children prepare anything from sausage rolls to apple pies and have the best fun doing it.
Chef Nonna prepares five meals onsite in the well-equipped kitchen, featuring a rotating menu that spans four weeks. This ensures the children enjoy a fresh selection every day. Additionally, the centre accommodates dietary requirements.
Fees
The daily fee at Little Zak’s Hunters Hill is $185 before CCS, across the whole centre for all ages. A hat, water bottle and backpack are supplied on sign up and nappies, wipes and sunscreen are provided however families need to bring formula and bed sheets (as is the case with most centres).
Parent portal Kinderm8 – nappy changes meals, sleep, photos videos and an overview of what the children did that day.
Educational Program
Little Zak’s has a strong Preschool and school readiness program, that uses an innovative and inspiring approach to early childhood education. It ensures all the foundations to provide children aged four to six with the skills and exposure they need to excel in their new school.
Great reporting and feedback
- Each day families will be updated about nappy changes, food eaten, naps, activities etc via the parent portal.
- Each month families will receive a monthly learning summary of how the child is learning and settling.
- Every 6 months there’ll receive a development milestone report.
- Parent-teacher Interviews occur twice a year to set goals, routines and aspirations. This is also a great opportunity for families to ask questions and discuss anything they’ve noticed.
Little Zak’s is also a Start Stong centre, more on that below.
Start Strong for Long Day Care
Little Zak’s preschool program is a recipient of funding under the NSW Department of Education’s ‘Start Strong for Long Day Care 2024’ Program.
In 2024, families can access fee relief for preschool-aged children saving up to $2,110 a year for eligible children aged 4 and above and up to $500 a year for children aged 3 in eligible long day cares in 2024. Learn more.
Even More Features That Families Will Love
- Casual days on request
- Pram Parking
- Carpark underneath with a lift
- Cake on your child’s birthday
The Details
Address: 32 Ryde Road, Hunters Hill
Website: www.littlezaks.com.au/hunters-hill
Hours: 7am-6pm
Book a Tour: 1300 339 257 or hello@littlezaks.com.au
THIS IS A SPONSORED ARTICLE
