TAFE NSW Narrandera Children’s Centre

Narrandera Children’s Centre is an important part of our local community. We're the second-oldest Children’s Centre at TAFE NSW. Strong connections with families are key to our mission. Our flexible, play‑based program adapts to your child’s changing needs.

If you’re interested in joining our team, visit TAFE NSW careers or learn more about how to become an early childhood educator.

Location

A Block 54–68 Elwin Street,
Narrandera NSW 2700

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Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am – 5:30 pm, open 48 weeks per year
Ages: 6 weeks to 5 years
Number of children: Up to 22 per day
Inclusions: Wet wipes, supplementary fruit and vegetables provided as part of the educational program (e.g. carrots, cucumbers, mangoes, and strawberries)
National Quality Standard (NQS) rating: Meeting

Deep community connections

Narrandera is a close‑knit rural town of about 3,500 people. Our Children’s Centre is proud to be part of this community and our strong local connections.

Children learn about harvest time and what grows in our local area. This includes learning about wheat, cereals, oranges and stone fruit. We help children understand the value of farming and supporting local communities.

We have a recycling space where our community can donate clothes, toys, art and craft materials and books. Children enjoy a large cubby house donated by the community. Anything we can’t use is passed on to local op‑shops.

Family focus

We have a strong focus on families. Many parents of children who come here used to attend themselves. This creates a strong sense of connection.

After morning drop‑off, children sit down to a second breakfast in family groups. This gives siblings and cousins of different ages time to connect. It also helps babies and new children feel safe and settle into their routine.

Children are encouraged to spend time with siblings, cousins and friends, including at lunch. This helps them learn and grow, as they pick up positive behaviours from educators and other children.

Wonderful wildlife

Our centre is set on beautiful grounds rich in wildlife. Children can spot geckos in the sandpit and watch bearded dragons and their babies in the trees. Bearded dragons can be shy, but they’ve come to enjoy the snacks of flies that our children catch and throw to them. The children love this interaction. Our grounds are also home to blue‑tongue lizards, frogs and bardee moths. This gives children lots of chances to explore and learn respect for the environment.

Play-based learning

Our Narrandera Children’s Centre follows a play‑based approach. Children are encouraged to choose activities, toys and equipment that interest them. This supports their confidence and helps them explore their ideas in their own way.

Children are given plenty of time to play without feeling rushed. We follow a flexible routine that responds to their social needs.

Diverse environments to build connections with self and others

Each day, children spend time in family groups and smaller play spaces with children of a similar age. This gives them the space and time to play and work, based on their abilities and interests.

What you will need to bring each day

For babies:

• Pre‑prepared bottles with formula or breast milk

• At least 4 nappies

• 2 full changes of clothes

For older children:

• Plenty of food for lunch and afternoon tea

• Fruit or vegetables to share for morning tea

• A sun hat and sunscreen

• 2 full changes of clothes

“Thanks for providing a centre where my child is free to explore and play whilst feeling loved like family!”

Parent of a toddler who previously attended the centre.

“Thank you for the care and guidance you have all given. You provide such a relaxed, welcoming environment.”

Parent of a baby and a toddler.

We currently have a waitlist. If you’d like your child to be added, complete the Application for Care Form [PDF, 1.7 MB] and email it to us.

If you’d like your child to remain on the waitlist for longer than 12 months, let us know. You can call us on 02 7921 6702.

To submit your application, you will need to provide:

• Birth certificate
• Medicare card
• Health care/Pension card (if you have one)
• Immunisation record (must be through Medicare, blue books are not accepted).

Please note: Children must meet government immunisation requirements or have an approved exemption to be eligible for Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

There are five steps to complete enrolment:

1. Apply for Child Care Subsidy (if eligible) - Parents/guardians submit a claim to Centrelink.
2. Agree on care arrangements - To be confirmed between the Early Childhood Director (ECD) and parents/guardians.
3. Submit enrolment - The ECD submits an enrolment notice to Centrelink via HubHello.
4. Confirm enrolment - The parents/guardians verify the enrolment with Centrelink.
5. Secure enrolment - If you accept an offer, we’ll send a formal letter detailing the next steps. This includes submitting a birth certificate, proof of immunisation and a security deposit to secure your childcare placement.

Once the enrolment is completed and approved your entitlements can be calculated, and payments made.

Under Family Assistance Law, all children attending an early learning centre must have an enrolment notice, regardless of Child Care Subsidy (CCS) eligibility. For eligible families, Centrelink/Services Australia can only process CCS claims once the correct enrolment is in place.

For any questions, please email us or call us on 02 7921 6702.

If you still have questions, please call us directly on 02 7921 6702 or email us below.

We look forward to welcoming your family to our Children’s Centre.