TAFE NSW Hunter Institute

Carinya

Hunter TAFEWelcome to Carinya Children's Centre. Carinya is a TAFE Children’s Centre, we can provide childcare while you study and also have small number of allocated places for staff and the community (non-students) to enrol.
 
The Centre is managed by the Early Childhood Director, in consultation with all stakeholders. We are licensed by the Department of Community Services in line with the Children’s Services Regulations 2004. Carinya is accredited with the National Childcare Accreditation Council for 14 years and rate highly in all areas. The Centre is partly funded by TAFE and also receives government assistance through Child Care Benefit which subsidises parent’s fees.
 
Our Philosophy
Carinya is an Awabakal word meaning “Peaceful Happy Home” – an atmosphere we strive to achieve each day. Furthermore, we aim to provide a safe, loving, and caring environment that is flexible enough to meet the needs of all families using our centre. We aim to create a partnership with parents in order to maximise the learning potential for all children. We hold an image of children as being strong, capable, clever, intelligent and able to contribute to and make decisions about their own learning. Finally, we aim to provide a supportive environment for both parents and children, whereby diversity of culture, race, religion and ability is acknowledged and honoured.
 
A range of interesting, challenging and fun experiences are provided each day for individual children and the group as a whole. The children's strengths and interests guide the program. Each day a PowerPoint slideshow including digital photos is created describing the children's day, this then forms part of each individual child's slideshow which can be viewed at anytime. We focus on children expressing their ideas and learning through languages of play such as visual arts, construction, physical play, dramatic play and literacy. Children are often engaged in projects of their own interests and we are proud to incorporate environmental education in our daily practices through such things as composting, worm farming, veggie gardening and the use of a rain water tank.

Contact Us

​If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to phone on

(02) 4923 7253

Email the director at nicole.vesperman@tafe.nsw.edu.au

or call in and see us at Newcastle Campus, Tighes Hill

Fees

​There is a full day or half day session available depending on your needs. Child Care Benefit applies which means that you may be eligible for the government to pay part of your fee for you, depending on your gross income. Forms are available from Carinya or Centrelink and need to be lodged with Centrelink or by phoning 136150 and quoting our provider number 555001916C. Fees must be paid in advance via EFTPOS or credit card. Fees must be paid for all absences and public holidays.

Hours

​Carinya is open 5 days per week from 8am to 5.30pm and the centre operates throughout the TAFE terms. Care during TAFE vacation breaks is also available, we cater for children from birth to 6 years and we can take up to 40 children per day.

How to Apply

​
TAFE Students - When you enrol in a TAFE course you can also apply for childcare at Carinya by completing an “Application for Care” form and taking it in to Carinya along with your proof of enrolment and your timetable. Most intakes are done during TAFE enrolments periods i.e. January and July for each Semester.
TAFE Staff/Community - Apply for childcare at any time. If there is a position available within the allocated places you can be enrolled immediately. This enrolment remains secure as long as you meet the DEEWR criteria. If there are no places available you will be placed on a waiting list.
 
We will notify you when a space becomes available and invite you to attend an orientation interview. If your phone number or any other details change or you are give a place at another centre please let us know so that we can keep our waiting list up to date.

Staffing

​The centre is divided into two rooms; The Discovery Room
(0-3 year olds) with 15 children and 4 Staff and The Preschool Room
(3-5 year olds) with 25 Children and 4 Staff. These are above the minimum regulations set out by Department of Community Services. Our Staff have qualifications ranging from Certificate 3 in Children's Services, Diploma in Children's Services and University teaching degrees. We have two University trained teachers employed and the Director and Staff are available for questions and discussions at any time.