UNSW considers quality child care being accessible by staff to be one of the key factors in attracting and retaining staff. For local and international student families childcare services support their ability to study effectively and achieve their career aspirations.

UNSW sponsors places and/or subsidises the running costs of four childcare centres Kanga’s Place, The House at Pooh Corner, Tigger’s Place and the Honeypot Childcare Centre. The two centres mainly catering to the needs of families of staff are Kanga’s Place and Tigger’s Place.

The UNSW has made a firm commitment to expand current services available to assist the families of UNSW staff and students. Renovations are underway at Kanga’s to increase the infant places by 10 and enrolments in the new room commence in February 2008. In addition the university recently engaged an architect to scope out the possible expansion of the Honeypot and Tigger’s Place centres at Botany Street to accommodate a further 40-60 children in 2009.

Places at UNSW childcare centres are limited and currently there is a waiting list of 2+ years. It is important that you place your unborn or newly born baby’s name on the waiting lists of centres on campus and centres close to your place of residence as soon a possible. Also contact Randwick Council and your local Council for information regarding alternate childcare centres and services available to you. For information on UNSW centres go to:

For local Council information go to:

 

 

Staff with children at UNSW centres are able to salary sacrifice their childcare fees please go to http://www.hr.unsw.edu.au/services/salaries/sacrific.html for more information

 

There are alternatives to centres based childcare. 

The following websites provide further important information regarding childcare options, taxation considerations and family assistance:

National Child Care Accreditation Council

The Australian government has set up a Quality Assurance system covering all long day care, family day care and out of school hours care. All child care providers, including those on or near the UNSW campuses, are required to go through an accreditation process to ensure they meet the required standards of care.

Family Assistance Office (FAO)

http://www.familyassist.gov.au/
The Family Assistance Office provides information about how to claim Child Care Benefit. Child Care Benefit can be claimed by families who use approved or registered child care centres.

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

The ATO website provides information about the new 30% Child Care Tax Rebate and Baby Bonus.

Child Care Access Hotline

Ph 1800 670 305

The Child Care Access Hotline provides information about types of childcare including long day care and family day care in your area, quality issues and government assistance available to parents.

Family and Community Services (FACS)

The FACS website includes information about current child care benefits as well as reviews and studies relating to child care services and families.

Local Council Directory

Most local councils have information about the child care facilities in their area on their websites. Please click here to access the NSW Government local council directory.

Centrelink 

Visit the Centrelink website for more information about Parenting Payment, Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Benefit (CCB), Maternity Payment and Carer Payments.