Community Kids Haven Early Learning Centre Ardeer

The carers are wonderful, when I arrive for drop off and pick up they are engaging with children and great with families.Unfortunately, a shared concern amongst the parents which we all discussed during the recent Christmas gathering was the staff turnover. A few parents have already taken their kids out and gone to different centres for this reason. Children develop relationships with carers and with the constant turnover there is no consistency and a lack of organisation for the kids. This would also impact the understanding of kids by long term carers, each child has different needs and unless there is continual relationship this isn't supported.We chose this centre when it first opened because it was new and had small numbers (better ratios). Even though the centre is new, the toys are limited and some of the toys are very old. For example, some of the kid's shape matching puzzles are extremely faded and the play stations appear to be op shop purchases. The foundation of business seems to be to run as cheap as possible (cheap nappies, cheap sunscreen, cheap toys), which is understandable from a business perspective but finance decisions rollover and impacts staffing and daily operations and is a concern for parents.Communication is also very poor with management. Us group of parents have expressed the above concerns and rarely receive responses. Most emails go ignored/missed and we often have to ask things multiple times. This becomes a concern for important information about a child's medical/allergy/routine needs, whether things are taken on board and when the day comes when something significant is missed.As mentioned, a few parents within the group have already left to other centres or planning to leave. We will wait for the break period to pass and reassess the situation as well and hope the feedback is taken on board as the carers we have met have been great - we just wished they were looked after enough to stay and reading between the lines it seems costs related. But this cycle simply drops the business revenue by having more kids drop out.

The educators are caring and patient, especially when my child was getting used to this new environment and English was a new language. They spent lots of time and be more flexible to help me settle. I am very thankful.

I got a reminder in my email about “a whole year has passed since you entrusted us with the care of…” and the email asked for me to leave a review. So I shall.Our child was only in this centre for about 2-3 months, and pulled her out before we went on a trip and decided not to put her back in. Unfortunately due to the casual carers changing constantly, there was only one regular carer in the baby room (who was lovely when I met her). However my baby (she was 1yo at the time) was never given a chance to attach to anyone and was upset for three whole months for drop off and pick up. We would pick her up and she would’ve cried the whole day, and would still be crying on the ground by herself. It was so upsetting to see. Instead of trying to address my concerns, the centre just kept saying it was normal for kids to take a while (2 months?!) to adjust. Meanwhile when we got back and we put our daughter in a different care, they were so kind to her she adjusted in a week.We had issues with our CCS as well and it took a while to get approve meaning we were owed thousands by the end (as you have to pay 4 weeks in advance). It was eventually sorted but stressful and they did not take into consideration individual families needs.I hope that you take this feedback on board, families are trusting you with their children and a safe secure attachment is so important to a child’s development.

After visiting many centres in the area we had landed on this one as it was most convenient. We definitely did not choose it based on how informative, warm or comfortable the tour/orientation were. All of the above were confusing and lack Lustre.The educating staff are amazing though and we can see their bond with our child when being dropped off or picked up. They are always happy to have a chat or celebrate milestones with you. I cannot say the same for the centre director, who is the first person you see when walking in. It is not a warm friendly feeling walking in as you are lucky to be acknowledged and when you make the effort (which is every pick up) you get minimal. Other centres we had visit were inviting and warm.I see posts on local fb groups about free first 2 week offers to enroll children into this centre but if it weren't for the location we probably wouldn't have chosen too. As the first point of contact before having any experience with the educators you are already turned off - based on the tour, information given and general energy.