TAFE NSW Sutherland Children’s Centre

Sutherland Children’s Centre is on the TAFE NSW Loftus campus. We offer a nurturing and engaging environment for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. We like to think of our centre as a home away from home and believe your child will too. Our large, creative space features a magical backyard where children can explore, imagine and play.

Our centre has two indoor rooms: Yanada for babies and toddlers (0–3 years) and Guwing for preschool children (3–6 years). These words from the local Dharawal Aboriginal language mean ‘sun’ and ‘moon’.

At Sutherland Children’s Centre we’ll send you weekly updates with individual and group observations. Safety is our priority, and we follow the Child Safe Standards. We encourage healthy habits with activities like Munch & Move, yoga, dance and meditation.

If you're interested in joining our team of early childhood educators, see below.

Location

D Block Pitt Street,
Loftus NSW 2232

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Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 7:45 am – 5:30 pm, open 48 weeks per year
Ages: 6 weeks to 6 years
Number of children: 40
National Quality Standard (NQS) rating: Exceeding

Plenty of outdoor space

At Sutherland Children’s Centre, children can explore, play and connect with nature in our outdoor learning area. They can splash in the water play area, dig in the garden, or create and discover in the mud kitchen.

Children can choose from a range of activities that match their interests. They can play under the shade of native trees, explore the rock bed, dig in the dirt patch and sandpit. They can also or learn about nature in our edible garden and compost area. A large wooden fort encourages climbing and imaginative play. Outdoor and undercover spaces support play in all weather.

A welcoming indoor environment

Inside, the centre feels like a home away from home. Family photos create a sense of belonging. Art, artefacts, and posters reflect our diverse community. There’s a balance of busy and quiet areas, ensuring children have spaces to play, learn, and unwind.

A strong sense of community

As part of the TAFE NSW community, we embrace diversity and inclusion. Children hear music and stories in different languages throughout the day. We celebrate cultural events like Chinese New Year, Diwali, NAIDOC Week and Harmony Week. Families are always welcome to join in our afternoon celebrations.

Children also engage with the broader community through activities like:

• Library visits - storytime, book borrowing, and craft activities
• Emergency services visits - learning from local police and firefighters
• Cooking and gardening - exploring paddock-to-plate concepts
• Sustainability workshops - including Clean Up Australia activities
• Cultural events - participating in smoking ceremonies and community celebrations.

What you will need to bring each day

Please bring the items your child needs each day. For babies, this includes formula, milk bottles, nappies and spare clothes. For older children, please bring morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. All children should also have a hat, water bottle, bedding, wipes, creams, any required medication and a spare set of clothes.

Every day is different

Children at our centre are free to choose their activities throughout the day. Each morning, we start with our multi-language welcome song, Tick Tock, Tick Tock. We use it to greet each child in their home language and have a Dharawal welcome.

Meal times

We follow a progressive Crunch and Sip approach, similar to primary schools. At morning tea your child can take a short break to drink water, and eat fruit or veggies. Lunch and afternoon tea are shared as group meals. Our educators will give your child their packed lunch and will also heat up food on request.

Have a yarn

Our daily Yarning Circle gives children and educators a chance to share stories and talk about their day. We use ideas from these discussions to plan learning experiences and activities.

Rest times

During rest times, children in the 0-3 year room, usually sleep. In the 3-5 years room, we offer children a 15-minute meditation time. We’re flexible with this too, so if your child wants to seep, that’s always an option.

Celebration days

We celebrate diversity and connection through events like International Mother Language Day. On this day, families can share their language, stories and traditions. We also host social gatherings like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and a Christmas party. These events are opportunities to connect with other families at the centre.

“We love how we feel like we are part of a big family at the centre and our kid’s individual needs are always taken into account.”

Parent of a toddler

“We love how much effort, care and love the educators have for the children. It is evident through their patience and genuine happiness in their jobs.”

Parent of a preschooler

Start your enrolment process by calling 02 7921 6719 or sending an email. We’ll send you an Application for Care Form [PDF, 1.7 MB] to complete.

Once we receive it, we’ll confirm receipt and be in contact to discuss availability, or we’ll add you to our waiting list. When spots open up, we carefully review all applications and reach out to families with available days.

If you accept a place, 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 place.

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) - To be confirmed between the Early Childhood Director (ECD) and parents/guardians.
2. Agree on care arrangements - The Early Childhood Director (ECD) and parent/guardian confirm the child’s care details.
3. Submit enrolment - The ECD submits an enrolment notice to Centrelink via HubHello.
4. Confirm enrolment - The parents/guardian verifies 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. If there are no vacancies, we can add you to the waiting list.

Under Family Assistance Law, all children attending an early learning centre must have an enrolment notice, regardless of 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 6719.

If you still have questions, please call us directly on 02 7921 6719 or email us below.

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