Great Beginnings Marsden Park

The best decision I ever did was to change my son’s preschool . I have seen so many positive changes in my 4year old... The best decision I ever did was to change my son’s preschool . I have seen so many positive changes in my 4year old since the day he joined great beginnings. It might sound a little bit too much but that’s how overwhelming I felt when my little one said he felt safe in his new school. The way his educator has encouraged ,taught him how to regulate his emotions has been truly inspiring. Read more

Chanda Dhakal

May, 2024

Management seem to choose the reputation of their centre over the safety of children. I had two children in this centre, one in the... Management seem to choose the reputation of their centre over the safety of children. I had two children in this centre, one in the nursery room and one in the preschool room. My eldest child had been attending this centre for about three years. The educators are lovely and my children built a great bond with most of them. I also do support males working in early education, and in the education sector in general. I recently raised a concern about one of the educators changing my youngest child's nappy. I had been told by the centre staff on two separate occasions that my youngest child did not like this certain educator. It also didn't sit well with me that this educator never smiled, made eye contact, or said hello. If my child didn't like this educator, I was worried that an injury may occur if he was resisting a nappy change. I also held concerns about why my child did not like this educator (as my child likes everyone) and I wanted to ensure he was not being a victim of any abuse. When I raised my concern with management, I was told that they are an inclusive centre and do not discriminate, and the educator will continue to change my child's nappies. I was disappointed however I maintained my cool. I said "I don't understand why he would want to put himself in that position? All it would take is for my child to have a red bottom and I suspect something has happened, if I reported it he could lose his job. This was a simple legitimate question. I would never make a fictitious report but I will regard my child's safety as paramount importance and act if I suspected something was not right. In reply to this comment management said to me "Perhaps you need to reconsider if this daycare is the right place for you." I said "right, I see how it is." I placed my child's bag in his room and left. I later received a phone call from senior management questioning why I had made a 'threat' to make a report if my child had nappy rash. I again reiterated that I was not referring to 'a bit of nappy rash' and this was not what I said. Senior management went on to allege that I had raised my voice and slammed doors in the centre. I was shocked as this was not the case. The next day I received further correspondence from senior management advising that they had terminated our care agreement as I had (allegedly) breached their parent and visitor code of conduct. I requested they review CCTV footage of my alleged aggressive behavior but was told that they had made their decision. They allowed for my children to attend the centre for a further two weeks before ending their care. During this two weeks I was allowed to attend the centre for drop off and pick up. If they were so fearful of me why didn't they ban me from the centre and allow only my wife to attend? Furthermore, why didn't they call me on my alleged behavior at the time? And why was I not given a warning? I will let you judge for yourself what has really happened here. Unfortunately this seems to be a common response from daycare centres when parents raise concerns about educators. Just like this one with a strikingly similar response: http://surl.li/nrnyg It is disgusting that they can treat families this way especially knowing that we will be displaced on a waiting period for an alternative child care centre. I informed senior management that I already had our children on a 12 week waiting list for another centre however they still chose to terminate our child care. Read more

Davey Bro

Nov, 2023