Kurri Early Childhood Centre

About Kurri Early Childhood Centre — Community-Based Long Day Care in Kurri Kurri, NSW

Kurri Early Childhood Centre (ABN: 88838045158) is a not-for-profit, community-owned long day care service located at 107 Lang Street, Kurri Kurri NSW 2327. Established in 1987, the centre has been serving families in the Hunter Valley for over 20 years, providing comprehensive early childhood education and care to young children in a safe, nurturing environment.

Registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) since 3 December 2012, Kurri Early Childhood Centre operates as a community-based organisation dedicated to supporting child development and family wellbeing in the Cessnock region. The centre holds Service Approval No. SE-00008078 from ACECQA (Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority) and is approved for Child Care Subsidy (CCS), making quality childcare accessible and affordable for local families.

Kurri Early Childhood Centre serves families from Kurri Kurri, Pelaw Main, Stanford Merthyr, Heddon Greta, Cessnock, and surrounding suburbs in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales.

Long Day Care Services — Opening Hours, Ages, and Capacity

Kurri Early Childhood Centre provides long day care services for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, operating 50 weeks per year to support working families throughout the Hunter Valley.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 6:00pm

The centre has 105 approved childcare places across five age-specific rooms, ensuring individualised attention and developmentally appropriate programs for each child:

• Nursery Room (6 weeks – 2 years) — Safe, home-like environments for infants and young toddlers with flexible routines and secure attachments to educators
• Toddler Rooms (2 – 3 years) — Active learning spaces promoting exploration, language development, and early social skills
• Preschool Rooms (3 – 6 years) — School readiness programs with intentional teaching, literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skill development

Each room features qualified educators with Certificate III, Diploma, and Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching qualifications who deliver play-based learning programs aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

Location and Contact — 107 Lang Street, Kurri Kurri

Address: 107 Lang Street, Kurri Kurri NSW 2327
Phone: (02) 4937 1922
Email: admin@kecc.com.au

Kurri Early Childhood Centre is conveniently located in the heart of Kurri Kurri, close to Kurri Kurri Public School and within easy access of local shops, library, and community facilities. The centre is situated in the Cessnock Local Government Area, serving families throughout the Hunter Valley region.

Parking is available on-site and nearby for convenient drop-off and pick-up.

Quality Rating and Accreditation — Meeting National Quality Standard

Kurri Early Childhood Centre maintains a “Meeting National Quality Standard” (NQS) rating as assessed by ACECQA in September 2023. The National Quality Standard measures quality across seven key areas:

• Educational program and practice
• Children’s health and safety
• Physical environment
• Staffing arrangements
• Relationships with children
• Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
• Governance and leadership

The centre’s current rating and detailed assessment history can be viewed on the Starting Blocks website, the Australian Government’s official childcare information portal.

The centre is approved for Child Care Subsidy (CCS), enabling eligible families to access financial support to reduce the cost of childcare. All educators hold formal qualifications and participate in ongoing professional development to ensure best practice in early childhood education and care.

Educational Philosophy and Programs — Play-Based Learning for Young Children

Kurri Early Childhood Centre’s educational philosophy centres on play-based learning aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). The centre recognises childhood as a special time for exploration, discovery, and the development of identity, confidence, and capability.

The centre’s programs focus on:

• Holistic child development across social, physical, emotional, and intellectual domains
• Individualised programming — Each child’s learning journey is documented and planned based on their unique strengths, needs, and interests
• School readiness — Preparation for transition to primary school through literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skill development
• Child-led learning — Educators follow children’s interests and curiosities to create meaningful learning experiences
• Family partnerships — Strong collaboration with families to support children’s learning at home and at the centre

Educators prepare portfolios documenting each child’s development and learning throughout the year, providing families with a detailed record of their child’s progress.

Facilities and Learning Environments — Five Rooms for Ages 6 Weeks to 6 Years

Kurri Early Childhood Centre features purpose-built indoor and outdoor learning spaces designed to support children’s exploration, creativity, and development:

Indoor Learning Spaces

• Five age-specific rooms with natural, home-like environments that create a sense of calm and belonging
• Resources and materials tailored to each age group’s developmental stage
• Comfortable, safe spaces for rest, play, and learning
• Indoor/outdoor flow to support flexible learning experiences

Outdoor Play Areas

• Natural play spaces with sandpits, gardens, and open-ended materials
• Opportunities for physical development, risk-taking, and environmental awareness
• Shaded areas for safe outdoor play in all weather conditions

Nutrition and Meals

Kurri Early Childhood Centre provides nutritious meals and snacks prepared on-site by a trained cook with expertise in nutrition, menu planning, food handling, and hygiene. All dietary requirements and allergies are accommodated.

Childcare Fees, Subsidies, and Enrolment Information

Childcare Fees

The average daily childcare fee at Kurri Early Childhood Centre is approximately $127 per day. As a not-for-profit, community-based service, the centre aims to keep fees affordable while maintaining high-quality care and education.

Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Kurri Early Childhood Centre is CCS approved. Eligible families can apply for Child Care Subsidy through the Australian Government’s myGov portal to reduce out-of-pocket childcare costs. The subsidy amount depends on family income, activity levels, and the type of childcare. Use the Child Care Subsidy Calculator to estimate your entitlement.

Enrolment and Vacancies

To enquire about vacancies or to arrange a centre tour, families can contact Kurri Early Childhood Centre directly:

• Phone: (02) 4937 1922
• Email: admin@kecc.com.au

The centre welcomes families to visit and meet the educators before enrolling. Tours can be arranged during operating hours Monday to Friday. The centre’s profile is also listed on the Australian Government’s Starting Blocks website where families can view current ratings, fees, and contact information.

Not-for-Profit, Community-Based Childcare in the Hunter Valley

As a not-for-profit organisation registered with the ACNC, Kurri Early Childhood Centre is owned and operated by the local community. This means that all surplus funds are reinvested into improving facilities, resources, and programs for the benefit of children and families — not distributed as profit to shareholders.

Community-based childcare centres like Kurri Early Childhood Centre offer:

• Local governance — Decision-making by community members who understand local families’ needs
• Affordable fees — Lower costs compared to commercial childcare chains
• Long-term stability — Over 20 years of continuous service to Kurri Kurri families
• Community connection — Strong partnerships with local schools, services, and organisations

Early Childhood Education in Kurri Kurri and the Hunter Valley

Kurri Kurri is home to several early childhood education and care services, including long day care centres, preschools, and kindergartens. Families in the area have access to a range of options to suit their children’s needs and family circumstances.

Note: Kurri Early Childhood Centre (long day care) is a separate service from Kurri Kurri & District Preschool/Kindergarten, which operates as a sessional preschool program. Families seeking full-day care Monday to Friday should enquire about long day care services like Kurri Early Childhood Centre.

The centre serves families from across the Hunter Valley region, including:

• Kurri Kurri and Kurri Kurri North
• Pelaw Main
• Stanford Merthyr
• Heddon Greta
• Cessnock and surrounding suburbs
• Maitland and surrounding areas