Treehouse Early Learning Centre is a long day care centre located at 2 Balmoral Street, Hillcrest SA 5086. The centre has been at this address since 2012 and rebranded to Treehouse Early Learning Centre in early 2025. We are open Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:30pm, 52 weeks per year. We accept children aged 6 weeks through to school age across six dedicated rooms, with a licensed capacity of 109 places.

Treehouse accepts children aged 6 weeks through to school age across six dedicated rooms: Infants (6 weeks to 15 months), Waddlers (15 to 24 months), Pre-Toddler (2 to 2.5 years), Toddlers (2.5 to 3 years), Kindy (3 to 4 years), and Pre-School (4 years to school age). Each room has its own program tailored to the developmental stage of children in that group.

Treehouse follows its own educational philosophy built on play-based learning, nature-based play, and child-led exploration. We believe every child is a unique individual who learns best through meaningful experiences. Educators observe and extend each child's interests, build life skills through risk-informed play and critical thinking, and create inclusive environments where every child feels safe, seen, and valued. Our programs are delivered within the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Framework (NQF).

Treehouse's most recent assessment was conducted in September 2025. Six of our seven quality areas are rated Meeting the National Quality Standard. Quality Area 1 (Educational Program and Practice) is currently rated Working Towards NQS. We have access to an independent early childhood consultant on an on-call basis and are actively participating in the ACECQA-affiliated Quality Uplift Program to strengthen our educational programming. We are committed to achieving Meeting NQS across all seven quality areas.

The centre has been at 2 Balmoral Street, Hillcrest since 2012. It rebranded to Treehouse Early Learning Centre in early 2025. Centre Director Zarna Shah has been part of the team since 2012, providing genuine continuity of leadership across more than 13 years.

To begin enrolment, call us on (08) 8261 1788, email Info@treehouse-childcare.com.au, or submit an online enquiry through our website. Our team will discuss your child's age, your preferred days, and any specific needs. If we have availability, we will arrange a centre tour. After your tour, you will complete a secure online enrolment form. Enrolment is confirmed once the form is submitted and accepted.

Four weeks written notice is required to modify or cancel your child's enrolment. Please notify Centre Director Zarna Shah in writing. Fees continue to apply during the notice period.

Please bring a spare set of named clothing in a labelled backpack, and any comfort items such as a dummy, blanket, or soft toy. Nappies, all meals and snacks, sunscreen, and hats are all provided by the centre. Label every item clearly with your child's first and last name.

Treehouse is open Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:30pm, 52 weeks per year, excluding weekends and public holidays.

Places at Treehouse are limited to our licensed capacity of 109. If your preferred start date or days are not immediately available, contact our team to discuss options and to be added to our waitlist. We recommend enquiring as early as possible, particularly for infant places.

At Treehouse, our daily fee covers everything your child needs, with no hidden extras. Depending on your session length, fees are $144 for 9 hours, $156 for 10 hours, or $169 for 12 hours. All sessions include all meals, snacks, milk, water, nappies, sunscreen, hats, and every learning activity and material. There is nothing more to pay.

A reduced 8-hour session rate of $125 per day is available for families ineligible for Child Care Subsidy due to visa conditions. Please contact the centre to discuss your eligibility.

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is an Australian Government payment that reduces your out-of-pocket childcare costs. To be eligible, at least one parent or guardian must meet an activity test (working, studying, volunteering, or looking for work), your child must be under 13 and meet immunisation requirements, and your family must meet residency requirements. Treehouse is an approved CCS provider. Apply through your MyGov account linked to Centrelink.

Fees are deducted from your nominated bank account every second Monday in arrears. You can pay by direct debit (no surcharge) or credit card (a surcharge applies). Statements are available at any time through the Xplor Home app.

Yes. The full daily fee applies on all scheduled attendance days, including public holidays and days your child is absent due to illness or other reasons.

If your child is not collected by 6:30pm, a late fee of $50 per child applies for the first 15 minutes. After that, $2 per minute per child is charged. If you are running late, please call the centre as soon as possible.

If your child develops symptoms of illness during the day, educators will administer first aid and contact you to collect your child. A temperature above 37.8 degrees Celsius is grounds for exclusion. You will be informed of the recommended course of action for further care. In an emergency, the centre will contact emergency services and a team member will accompany your child if needed.

Yes, in specific circumstances. A parent must complete and sign a medication record. The medication must be in its original container with a prescription label or doctor's note specifying the dose and intended use. Medications containing paracetamol are not administered, as these can mask symptoms of illness. Medication must be given directly to a staff member and never left in a bag.

Children must be immunised or on an approved catch-up schedule to be enrolled and to receive the Child Care Subsidy. All immunisation records are collected as part of the enrolment process and kept on the child's profile.

SPF 30+ sunscreen is applied to all children by educators at least 20 minutes before outdoor play and reapplied at least every two hours. Broad-brimmed or legionnaire hats are required for all outdoor activity and are supplied by the centre. Sun protection practices follow Cancer Council SA and Department for Education guidelines.

If your child is not collected by 6:30pm, a late fee of $50 per child applies for the first 15 minutes. After that, $2 per minute per child is charged. If you are running late, please call the centre as soon as possible.

Educators observe and document your child's learning and development on an ongoing basis, guided by the Early Years Learning Framework. Observations, photos, and videos are shared with families through the Xplor Home app. You can view your child's learning journey, interests, and developmental milestones at any time.

The centre opens at 6:30am. Breakfast runs from 6:30am to 8:30am in the Pre-Toddler room with integrated play across age groups. Children move to their own rooms from 8:00am to 8:30am. Group time runs 9:00am to 9:30am, morning tea 9:30am to 10:00am, then programmed room activities from 10:00am to 11:00am. Lunch is 11:00am to 12:00pm. Rest begins at 12:30pm, with quiet activities for non-sleepers and waking children continuing to 2:00pm. Table activities run 2:00pm to 2:30pm, afternoon tea 2:30pm to 3:00pm, then programmed and child-led activities from 3:00pm to 4:30pm. Late snack is 4:30pm to 5:00pm. Integrated play and wind-down runs from 5:00pm until the centre closes at 6:30pm.

Yes. Our Pre-School room, for children aged 4 years to school age, is specifically designed to prepare children for the transition to primary school. The program builds foundational skills including literacy and numeracy awareness, independence, confidence, and the social-emotional skills children need to thrive in a school setting.

Play-based learning at Treehouse means children learn through meaningful, hands-on experiences rather than formal instruction. Educators observe each child's interests and use those as the starting point for learning. Children might explore concepts through nature play and gardening, build maths thinking through construction, or develop language through storytelling and group conversation. Learning happens indoors and outdoors, independently and collaboratively, always at the child's own pace and guided by the Early Years Learning Framework.

The Xplor Home app is our primary communication tool. Through the app you receive real-time photos and videos of your child's activities, daily health summaries, and direct messages from educators. Educators are also available to talk briefly at drop-off and pick-up. For more in-depth conversations, you can arrange a time to speak with your child's educator or with Centre Director Zarna Shah.

Yes. Treehouse operates an open-door policy. Parents, grandparents, and family members are welcome to visit at any time during operating hours. You do not need to make an appointment.

Speak directly with your child's educator or contact Centre Director Zarna Shah. If you feel your concern has not been adequately addressed, escalate in writing to the Centre Director. We take all feedback seriously and respond promptly.

Before your child's first official day, we arrange orientation visits that allow your child to meet their educators, explore the rooms and outdoor areas, and begin building familiarity with the centre. Most children settle in gradually; our educators are experienced at supporting children and parents through this transition.

Settling challenges are completely normal, especially for younger children and those new to group care. Our educators will keep you informed about how your child is going throughout the day. If challenges persist, we will work with you to adjust your child's routine, increase orientation time, or identify strategies that suit your child's specific needs.

Children move between rooms as they develop and grow, following the age groupings across our six rooms: Infants, Waddlers, Pre-Toddler, Toddlers, Kindy, and Pre-School. Transitions are managed gradually and with advance notice to families. We introduce children to their new room and educators before the formal move, and we keep communication open throughout the process.