Sunkids Children's Centre Benowa

I’m really disappointed with the constant staff turnover at this kindy. It’s incredibly unsettling for both children and parents when educators are constantly... I’m really disappointed with the constant staff turnover at this kindy. It’s incredibly unsettling for both children and parents when educators are constantly changing. Stability and consistency are crucial in a childcare environment, and that’s been severely lacking. From what I’ve seen and experienced, the high turnover seems to stem from poor management and a lack of clear communication and support from the company itself. It’s hard to trust a service with your child when even the staff don’t feel supported enough to stay. Read more

Crystal Schafer

May, 2025

We have had a positive experience with many of the educators at Sunkids, who genuinely care for the children and create a supportive... We have had a positive experience with many of the educators at Sunkids, who genuinely care for the children and create a supportive learning environment. However, recent events have raised significant concerns, particularly regarding communication, policy adherence, and overall consistency. The most pressing issue has been the lack of clear responses to reasonable questions regarding incident management, behaviour protocols, and policy adherence. Our requests for detailed information were made so we could understand the situation fully and work collaboratively toward a constructive resolution. Instead of addressing concerns directly, our requests were forwarded to head office, unnecessarily delaying resolution. This was not required under their own complaint and grievance policy and felt more like a lack of direct engagement rather than a genuine attempt to provide clarity. Additionally, transparency around communication has been a concern. The centre manager framed their response to our request for information in a way that suggested they had proactively requested a meeting with us, when in reality, their voicemail simply offered a meeting as an option if we needed further information. This lack of clarity contributed to a broader feeling of miscommunication rather than proactive engagement. When an incident occurred, the centre requested an early pickup for our child. However, this decision appeared reactive rather than thoughtfully assessed, as there was no clear indication in their policies that such an action was necessary. Despite policies outlining steps for observing behaviour, documenting incidents, and consulting parents before implementing behaviour management plans, these steps did not appear to have been followed. This lack of consistency and proper evaluation made the situation feel rushed and poorly managed. Beyond recent events, we have experienced other concerns over time, including: - Age-inappropriate furniture during our child's transition to the toddler room, resulting in an injury (a large egg and cut on their forehead). - Repeated errors in handling our child’s prescribed SMOs (leg braces), requiring constant follow-ups to ensure they are correctly placed. - High staff turnover, creating uncertainty and a lack of stability for children. Many of the staff who left were fantastic educators, which has contributed to instability for children and families. We encourage Sunkids to: - Improve transparency and ensure concerns are addressed directly rather than deferred elsewhere. - Adhere consistently to policies regarding incident documentation, communication protocols, and behaviour management. - Strengthen communication practices, ensuring parents receive clear, proactive updates aligned with policy. - Approach behavioural concerns with greater consistency and strategic planning rather than reactive measures. - Address staff retention issues, providing greater stability for children who rely on familiar, secure relationships with educators. While we have been reluctant to disrupt our child's friendships by changing centres, the delays in providing basic information on matters we expect them to know has affected our trust and confidence in this centre, and as a result, we are now exploring other options. At this stage, the matter remains unresolved, and we have yet to receive the information we initially requested. We sincerely hope Sunkids takes this feedback constructively, making necessary improvements to foster a more transparent, consistent, and supportive environment for all families. Read more

Natasha Curtis

May, 2025