This preschool is apparently one of the benchmarks for Early Childhood (EC) education excellence. My teachers at TAFE couldn't stop singing its praises! The staff there are great, genuinely caring, very respectful of the children, and every single one of them qualified - Diplomas & Bachelors. The Director of the Preschool instills this great vision & philosophy of letting children learn through play and of respectful relationships. As a prac student, I can see that the children feel safe and secure in this environment. They engage in productive plays and explorations. The staff are lovely, too. They are a small team, many have been there for a good number of years, and work so well together. I like how the Director, who is a teaching Director, consult the staff on everyday provisions and programs. Truly living up to the preschool's 'respectful relationships' philosophy! This preschool doesn't have a website and is quite low-key. I'd imagine people will either know about this place by chance or because they are in the EC circle. A very good place for 3-5 year olds.

Approximate cost: $45

I was placed there as a student in mid 2011 in the Kookaburras Room. Very impressed by the range, quality and pristine conditions of the provisions available to children. Considering the very low fee of this place, it was unbelievable! The ratio was also extremely good. They always have an extra staff or two floating around, often making the ratio higher than the ideal 1:4. The staff here got to do a lot of programming (compared to the normal 2hrs a week most get) due to this fact, which I believe contributed to the overall quality of the program offered to the children. Most of the staff were qualified, those who were not were working towards their qualifications. I take out one star because of the outdoor environment, which was reasonably good but could be better. The Wombats Room could also be a bit improved. As a student, I felt generally welcomed but felt a few staff could be a bit more friendly. But that was a small issue. For children and their families, this place was genuinely good. And at the end of the day, that's all that really matters.

Approximate cost: $68

Did one of my TAFE pracs there in early 2011. I can honestly say that the centre is very close to the ideal image of what a child care centre should be. Everything that we Early Childhood students learns from textbooks! Caring professional staff, great indoor / outdoor environments, multicultural, good meals, good ratio and an awesome Director, Sene Gide. Not to mention the relatively low fee! Coming from a student perspective, that really means a lot because usually things are not as good as they appear on the surface behind closed doors. But this wonderful place really was. Put my own child's name down on the waiting list after my first week there, I was that impressed. Looooong waiting list though. If u work for Sydney Uni, u'll have an advantage. This place is definitely one of the best.

Approximate cost: $70 - $80

This review is based on my own personal experience as a parent and a second-hand account of my friend, who was a staff there. I had my child enrolled in 2008 and stayed for about a year. The centre itself looked promising, very new, very clean. Everything was brand spanking new. Based on the outer appearance, most (like me) would think a definite yes! The only drawback was it had no outdoor, being a warehouse. But it didn't bother me. Some of the staff were very good but they did not stay long. The top management ladies were horrible. Unfriendly, unaccommodating and, what was worse, they partly worked in the room with the children. My friend who was a staff at the time recounted how they would often just lounged around, chatting with each other when many of the children were crying, in need of a change of nappy, or in distress. When my friend confronted them about this, their comment was (and this has been branded on my mind ever since), "I'm not touching them!"
From a parent's perspective, this place was almost always understaffed. The ratio of 1:5 were rarely met daily on the floor. When this was brought to the director's attention the response was cold, brushing off my concern altogether. She did not address the issue, choosing instead to photocopy the staff's weekly schedule to highlight that there are indeed enough number of staff employed. Sadly this did not translate to the daily operation on the floor. I had witnessed up to 10 bubs with one staff for a prolonged stretch of time many many times in different situations, usually past pick-up, drop-off time. This went on for months and ultimately, this concern was proven when the centre failed accreditation twice in a row because of ratio. I learnt my lesson the hard way: Do not judge a book by its cover & when I think a staff is often being curt and short with you, it is likely not due to lost-in-translation, cultural miscommunication. It isn't me who are being too sensitive. They are the problems! I still feel very uneasy and plagued with guilt every time I think about what my child had to go through there behind closed doors *shudders* I gave this place a 2 star only because there is a certain very lovely staff who has been there for my child and many others in her quiet, loving way. I think she is still there now. You can't lie to children, they all flock to her.

Approximate cost: $105

Both of my children are there and couldn't be happier. Most of the staff are genuine, dedicated, professional and very helpful. There are 1 or 2 that are just okay but you have those in every centre. My children have been at a few centres before and this place is above and beyond them all. It feels just like home. The centre itself is quite old. There is nothing flashy about the place and the equipments/toys. Don't let that deter you. The staff make all the difference! Their staff turnover is very low, many have been working there for many years. Quite a number of casuals but they try to get these from their regular pool. So they are familiar faces. Highly recommended if you can get your child in. Waiting list is long and must be done through Marrickville Council.

Approximate cost: $89