Snugglepot Day Care Centre Inc

About Snugglepot Day Care Centre — Long Day Care and Preschool in Taree NSW

Snugglepot Day Care Centre Inc is a not-for-profit, community-based long day care and preschool service located at 2 Myall Avenue, Taree NSW 2430. Established over 27 years ago and nationally accredited, Snugglepot has been a trusted provider of quality early childhood education and care in the Manning Valley region. Operating as a registered charity under ABN 80937518765, the centre serves families with children aged 6 weeks to 5 years (pre-school age) and has been rated “Meeting National Quality Standard” by ACECQA.

As a community-based service, Snugglepot Day Care Centre is managed by parents and community members who are committed to providing accessible, high-quality childcare in Taree. The centre offers 69 approved places across three specialized age-based rooms, ensuring that each child receives developmentally appropriate care and education in a nurturing environment.

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

Snugglepot Day Care Centre provides long day care services Monday to Friday from 6:30am to 5:45pm, offering flexibility for working families in Taree and surrounding areas. The centre operates 50 weeks per year, closing only for public holidays and a short period over Christmas/New Year.

Ages served: 6 weeks to 5 years (pre-school age)
Capacity: 69 approved places
Service Approval No: SE-00009011
Service Type: Centre-Based Care (Long Day Care and Preschool/Kindergarten stand-alone)
Service Approval Date: 23 April 2009

Three Specialized Rooms for Different Age Groups

Snugglepot organizes children into three developmentally appropriate rooms:

Blossoms Room (Babies Room): For newborns and infants aged 0-18 months. Trained educators provide specialized care for babies, including feeding, nappy changing, and supporting early developmental milestones in a calm, nurturing environment.

Koalas Room (Toddlers Room): For toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years. This room provides a safe environment where toddlers can explore their boundaries, develop independence, and engage their senses through play-based learning activities.

Possums Room (Pre-School Room): For children aged 3 to 5 years. The pre-school program prepares children for primary school through age-appropriate learning experiences, social development activities, and school readiness programs aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

Location and Contact — 2 Myall Avenue, Taree NSW

Address: 2 Myall Avenue, Taree NSW 2430
Phone: (02) 6552 6630
Email: director@snugglepot.com.au
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 6:30am–5:45pm (50 weeks/year)

Snugglepot Day Care Centre is conveniently located in Taree’s residential area near Manning Gardens Public School and local amenities. The centre is easily accessible from surrounding suburbs including Chatham, Cundletown, Tinonee, Wingham, and Old Bar.

Quality Rating and Accreditation — Meeting National Quality Standard

Snugglepot Day Care Centre has been assessed and rated by the NSW regulatory authority under the National Quality Framework (NQF). The centre holds a “Meeting National Quality Standard” rating, last assessed in October 2020 (previous assessment September 2016). This rating demonstrates Snugglepot’s commitment to delivering quality early childhood education and care across all seven NQS quality 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 is registered with ACECQA (Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority) and approved by Services Australia for Child Care Subsidy (CCS), making quality childcare more affordable for eligible families.

Educational Philosophy and Programs — Play-Based Learning

Snugglepot Day Care Centre’s educational philosophy focuses on providing a calm, caring, creative, safe, and healthy environment where each child can develop confidence, positive self-esteem, and a sense of wellbeing. The centre supports children as they evolve and find their full potential, nurturing their overall development so they can flourish as productive and involved members of the community.

The educational program is based on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), Australia’s national early childhood curriculum framework. Through play-based learning, children engage in activities that promote:

• Social and emotional development: Building relationships, understanding emotions, developing empathy
• Physical development: Fine and gross motor skills, coordination, active play
• Cognitive development: Problem-solving, critical thinking, early literacy and numeracy
• Language and communication: Vocabulary development, listening skills, expressing ideas
• Creative expression: Arts, crafts, music, dramatic play, sensory experiences

The pre-school program specifically prepares children aged 3-5 for their transition to primary school, focusing on school readiness skills while maintaining a play-based approach that respects each child’s individual learning style and pace.

Facilities and Learning Environments — Three Specialized Rooms

Snugglepot Day Care Centre’s facilities include three separate age-appropriate rooms (Blossoms, Koalas, and Possums), each designed to meet the developmental needs of children at different stages. The centre features:

• Indoor learning spaces: Well-equipped rooms with age-appropriate toys, books, puzzles, and learning materials
• Outdoor play areas: Safe, shaded outdoor environments for active play and nature exploration
• Kitchen facilities: On-site meal preparation ensuring nutritious, freshly prepared food
• Rest areas: Quiet spaces for rest time and sleep, particularly important for babies and younger children
• Secure premises: Fenced, secure environment with controlled access for child safety

Childcare Fees, Subsidies, and Enrolment

All-Inclusive Fee Structure

One of Snugglepot’s distinctive features is its all-inclusive fee structure. The daily fee includes:

• All meals: Breakfast (for early arrivals), morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and late snack (for late pick-ups)
• Excursions: Educational trips and outings throughout the year
• Visiting shows and entertainment: Regular performances and activities at the centre
• Quality care and education: Delivered by qualified, experienced, and devoted staff
• Learning materials: All educational resources, craft supplies, and activities

This inclusive approach means families don’t face unexpected additional costs for everyday activities and experiences.

Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Snugglepot Day Care Centre is approved by Services Australia for Child Care Subsidy. Eligible families can receive CCS to help with the cost of childcare, with subsidies ranging from 0% to 85% of the childcare fee depending on:

• Combined family income
• Type of childcare used
• Activity level of parents/guardians (work, study, volunteering, etc.)

Families can check their eligibility and estimated subsidy using the Child Care Subsidy Calculator on the Services Australia website. CCS is applied directly to reduce out-of-pocket costs, and families pay only the gap fee.

Enrolment Process

To enrol at Snugglepot Day Care Centre:

1. Contact the centre: Call (02) 6552 6630 or email director@snugglepot.com.au to enquire about vacancies
2. Arrange a tour: Visit the centre to see the facilities and meet the educators
3. Complete enrolment forms: Provide required documentation including immunisation records and emergency contacts
4. Orientation visit: Arrange a settling-in period to help your child transition smoothly
5. Apply for CCS: If eligible, apply through myGov before your child’s start date to receive subsidy from day one

For more information about finding quality childcare services in your area, visit Starting Blocks, the Australian Government’s official childcare finder.

Not-for-Profit, Community-Based Childcare in Taree

As a not-for-profit, community-based service, Snugglepot Day Care Centre operates differently from commercial childcare chains. The centre is managed by a community committee, often including parents of enrolled children, who make decisions in the best interests of families and children rather than shareholders or investors.

This community ownership model means:

• Lower fees: Without profit margins, fees can be kept more affordable
• Reinvestment in quality: Any surplus is reinvested into facilities, resources, and staff development
• Local focus: Decisions reflect the needs and values of the Taree community
• Stability: 27+ years of continuous operation demonstrates long-term commitment to the Manning Valley
• Charity status: Registered with the ACNC as a charity supporting vulnerable children and families

Special Services and Support Programs

Special Needs Programme

Snugglepot Day Care Centre operates a Special Needs Programme to assist children who require additional support. This inclusive approach ensures that children with developmental delays, disabilities, or other additional needs can access quality early childhood education alongside their peers. The programme may include:

• Individualized support plans developed with families and specialists
• Collaboration with allied health professionals (speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc.)
• Modified activities and resources to support diverse learning needs
• Additional educator support when required

Transport Service

Understanding that transportation can be a barrier for some families, Snugglepot offers a bus service for families with transportation difficulties. This service helps ensure that quality childcare remains accessible to all families in the Manning Valley, regardless of their personal transportation situation.

Childcare Near Taree — Serving the Manning Valley Region

Snugglepot Day Care Centre serves families not only from Taree but also from surrounding communities in the Manning Valley and Mid-Coast region, including:

• Chatham — Northern Taree suburb (2-3 km from centre)
• Cundletown — South of Taree on Manning River (8 km from centre)
• Tinonee — Historic village west of Taree (9 km from centre)
• Wingham — Manning Valley town (13 km from centre)
• Old Bar — Coastal community east of Taree (14 km from centre)
• Harrington — Coastal village south of Taree (25 km from centre)
• Forster-Tuncurry — Great Lakes region (40 km south)

Families seeking childcare in Taree, long day care Taree, daycare Taree, or preschool Taree will find Snugglepot’s community-based, inclusive approach and experienced team of educators make it a trusted choice for early childhood education in the Manning Valley.

Getting Involved at Snugglepot Day Care Centre

As a community-based service, Snugglepot welcomes family involvement and participation. Ways to get involved include:

• Parent participation: Joining your child for special events, celebrations, and activities
• Committee membership: Serving on the management committee to guide the centre’s direction
• Fundraising support: Participating in fundraising events that benefit the centre and children
• Sharing skills: Contributing your professional skills or hobbies (music, gardening, storytelling, etc.)
• Community connection: Building relationships with other families and educators

For more information about enrolment, vacancies, fees, or to arrange a tour of Snugglepot Day Care Centre, contact the centre directly at (02) 6552 6630 or director@snugglepot.com.au.