mary
Posts:10
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| 26/09/2006 8:16 AM |
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We are moving to North Lakes next month. I am very surprised/concerned that the North Lakes State College does not provide before and after school care for the younger kids. I will be working full time in the Brisbane CBD and my kids (8 and 10) have been on the waiting lists at ABC Learning Centre and some of the other centres for 6 months now - they are all fully booked! What do all the working mums in North Lakes do with their kids after school hours? Surely a family friendly suburb like North Lakes would have a basic service like after school care somewhere? |
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garlis
Advanced Member
Posts:23
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| 26/09/2006 10:08 AM |
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Oh my...That concerns me too. We will be moving into NorthLakes this Nov./Dec. and my four yr. olds are on the ABC Learning Center waiting list as well! They will be attending North Lakes State College as well and I will also be working! Please someone advise from the community! Thank you in advance.
Lisa Plant |
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Scott Moller
Senior Member
Posts:56
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| 26/09/2006 3:28 PM |
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It is an issue, not just in North Lakes.
Have you tried both ABC Centres? We have two in North Lakes. My girls go to the 'first' ABC which my wife and I really like - great staff.
They've even converted the old community centre rooms into new childcare rooms as well but obviously there are still not enough places.
It's going to be interesting to see how this is managed both now and in the future. Land from the developer is never cheap so building new centres can't be easy ...
I'll send an email to Stockland (developer) and our local politicians and see what response I get 
Scott |
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mary
Posts:10
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| 26/09/2006 4:00 PM |
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I have tried ABC Learning Centre, ABC Learning Centre Central, Tadpoles, Family Day Care and Sesame Lane. They are all fully booked. I have even contacted the private school next door for help, but they only allow their own students in their after school care centre. According to the North Lakes State College there is nothing they can do to help the parents in this regard. In Sydney the private companies rent out the school hall from 3pm-6pm and they run a after school care service on the school grounds. The school gets extra money for renting out the hall, the kids stay safely on the school grounds until they are picked up and they can still attend sports on the school grounds. Maybe the ABC Learning centre can expand its excellent service and use the school grounds for an after school care service? I am 99% sure the state school would not mind the extra income. Marileze |
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garlis
Advanced Member
Posts:23
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| 27/09/2006 7:03 AM |
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Are there any " private" childcare homes in NorthLakes? Moms who care for other children? And are parttime Nanny's easy to find?And does anyone know if I can get the North Lakes Messenger in an electronic format? Thanks agian so much. Lisa Plant |
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garlis
Advanced Member
Posts:23
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| 28/09/2006 7:21 AM |
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Hello Everyone Again....
I am really struggling with whether or not to put my children into the private school or the state college. Since we are here in the States, we have only spoken to both over the telephone. Obviously, the private school sounds better, ie: bus to pick them up, before and after school care and is air conditioned. However, my Aussie husband Garry, was a teacher in the public school system in AUS before he came to the states and he feels that the state college will be just fine. Does anybody know how quickly the private school could take our kids in case the state college doesn't work out for us? Myself and the kids will be arriving on Dec.8th and I understand that the new school term starts on the 29th of January. Do you think if I go look at both schools and I prefer the private one that they would be able to accept them that quickly? Obviously finances are an issue but if the after school care/air conditioning is an issue, I want to make the best choice for my children. Thanks in advance for commenting.
Lisa Plant ( NothLakes in Dec 06 ) |
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mary
Posts:10
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| 28/09/2006 3:53 PM |
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Hi Lisa,
My husband flew up to North Lakes and visited both schools. The State School is great and obviously much cheaper. If they can just resolve the after school care crisis, I am sure our kids will be very happy there. This is the way I think about the choice between private and public as a working mum: By saving $8000 a year on the private school fees for 2 kids, you can take unpaid leave during school holidays and spend some time with your kids. Maybe the politicians/council members "assume" that all the working mums have lots of money for the private school, that is why only the private school has after school care? We have to convince them that this is not true and that working mums also stuggle to pay mortgages and bills ans school fees.
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Rebecca
New Member
Posts:3
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| 01/10/2006 4:35 PM |
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Good morning all
I have just been reading your posts with regards to before and after school care for your children at North Lakes. I might just be able to help a few of you.  I have recently moved to Griffin from Cairns where I was an In-Home Childcare Provider for 8 months. During this time I had before and after school care children in my care. I have been advised by the Family Assistance Office that I can provide care in my home as a registered carer. The only downside is at the moment I can only cater for two-three children between the hours of 7.30 and 5.00 Monday to Friday. If this helps, or you would like more information please email me on wildrebecca@hotmail.com. Have a nice day, Rebecca Wild |
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northlakes.com.au
site admin
New Member
Posts:1
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| 01/10/2006 5:58 PM |
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Thanks for that Rebecca. I'd say you'll become very popular
Teresa Gambaro's office got back to me last week (sorry for the delay). I have attached a brochure with details for contacting The Child Care Access Hotline. A special thanks to the staff in Teresa's office - they are really on the ball and very helpful. For those that don't know Teresa is our federal MP.
The direct number is 07 3636 5444 if you are calling from overseas (just make sure you add the international code and drop the 0) |
 Attachment: child care hotline.pdf
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Elaine B
New Member
Posts:3
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| 10/10/2006 5:26 AM |
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I put my daughter very easily into Living Faith Lutheran school at Murrumba Downs for 2 terms in year 7 when we arrived in Australia. It is a private school up to year 7 (cost approx $2,000 per yr). They do after and before school care, is a fantastic school and is approx 5 mins from North Lakes in the car. Children from this school automatically transfer to Grace College at Rothwell which is another very good school. I hope this helps. |
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Lisa Plant
Veteran Member
Posts:37
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| 10/10/2006 7:28 AM |
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Elaine,
Thank you so much for your input. I am of the Luthern faith so this may be an excelllent choice. It is also substantially less expensive than the North Lakes private school. I have emailed Living Faith to inquire about enrollment and availability. Thanks again! |
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mary
Posts:10
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| 12/10/2006 5:25 PM |
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Thanks heaps for that Elaine! The CHILD CARE HOTLINE could not find any after school care for my kids in Mango Hill or North Lakes, so the North Lakes State college is not an option for me any more. I will look into the Lutheran school - the Lakes private school is too expensive if you have 2 kids.
Marileze |
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Lisa Plant
Veteran Member
Posts:37
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| 13/10/2006 7:03 AM |
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Marileze1: I contacted the Lutheran School two days ago via email and was told that they had no more slots, at least for my four year olds, maybe they do for older kids. She did say that if I was a " worshipping Lutheran" they could put me on the waiting list. My husband Garry is coming to NorthLakes on the 5th of Nov. so he is going to make the rounds to look at the schools. This is certainly more difficult that I thought but hope that it all works out for you. Please keep us posted! Thinking positive thoughts to you, Lisa |
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Lee
New Member
Posts:1
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| 14/10/2006 2:54 PM |
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Dear Lisa,
My son attends The Lakes College (the private school). He is very happy there and so are we.There are a number of things that make the school special to us. We have a very passionate principal in Jeanette Fuller. She is at the front gate every morning and afternoon to greet parents and students. She is always present when the P& F is involved in community events such as sausage sizzles. I think she probably knows every student by name. She is very easy to approach and speak to about any issues that you have. The children just love her. Another advantage for children going into prep is that each prep class will have a full-time teacher and a full-time teacher aide. This is apparently not happening at state schools who only have assistants in the class for about 1/2 the time I think. The fees are a lot but they do include violin hire and tuition and swimming lessons (including the transport there). We like the idea of a small school where the children are not just another number and The Lakes College provides that for us. This is not to take away from North Lakes State College which I have seen and heard is a fantastic school, it is just a bit big for us. I hope this helps your decision. As for whether your children will get in, I'm not sure what the numbers are for next year but I'm sure if you spoke to Jeanette she could advise you.
Good Luck
Lee |
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Catrina
Advanced Member
Posts:28
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| 14/10/2006 4:19 PM |
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Hi Lisa,
Another great school close to North Lakes is Mueller College. You will find their web stie at www.mueller.qld.edu.au. You may find they have limited places in some year levels, however I think they may have more room for prep students for next year. Mueller College is operated by Redcliffe Christian Assembly however it is non-denominational in its presentation of Christian teachings.The school is about a 7 minute drive from North Lakes (towards Redcliffe) and has after school care. You will also find it is extremely well priced compared with other independent schools.
Catrina |
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northlakes.com.au
Senior Member
Posts:244
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| 23/10/2006 10:18 PM |
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Hello All ...
I have just loaded up a press release from ABC Childcare regarding the new centre in North Lakes.
The information can be found on the front page of the site.
Regards
Scott Moller 
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Scott Moller
northlakes.com.au
* when you use a business from our site be sure to mention you found them here *
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Christopher Read
Veteran Member
Posts:48
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| 24/10/2006 12:37 AM |
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What we actually need is 4 ABC child care centers. |
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northlakes.com.au
Senior Member
Posts:244
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| 24/10/2006 1:55 AM |
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I spoke with Sesame Lane childcare today as well and they will be building a new childcare centre near the playing fields 'down the back'. They will have over 100 places and are already taking bookings !  I'll post up more information when it comes in.
Regards, Scott
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Scott Moller
northlakes.com.au
* when you use a business from our site be sure to mention you found them here *
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mary
Posts:10
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| 26/10/2006 2:47 PM |
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 That is great! I have just enrolled my kids at the new Sesame Lane before and after school care centre. They are opening in March. Their number is 3480 8000-you can speak to Kate. Thanks a lot for all the help and info everybody. We are really looking forward to living in North Lakes very soon. Marileze  |
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Lisa Plant
Veteran Member
Posts:37
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| 26/10/2006 5:40 PM |
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US TOO! We called Sesame Lane tonight from the US and Kate was so nice. We have confirmed spots for after school care when they open in March! Thank you so much for information, this is such a relief. Not sure what we will do till March but I am sure we can work it out. THANKS AGAIN! Lisa Plant, moving to North Lakes, Dec. 8th! |
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Samantha Hodgson
New Member
Posts:7
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| 17/01/2007 4:17 AM |
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i am totally disgusted in the fact that there is no after & before school care for my 7 yr old at north lakes college. i have just started full time employment & have to try & find after & before care for my son when school starts. you would think every primary school would have these services available. obviously the school doesnt care for us full time parents. they are only interested in their next pay cheque. the school should get off their butts quickly & fix the problem before parents start taking their kids out of north lakes & into a more suitable school, near by. why should we have to move our kids anyway?, such a huge estate like north lakes should have thought about this in the first place.
places like abc are way to expensive for most people to consider. why should i have to pay through the roof for childcare, when the schools are meant to provide it. give me a break. if i cant find a solution soon, ill have to consider taking my kids out of north lakes & into an outside school.
totally fedup,
sam & geoff |
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Catrina
Advanced Member
Posts:28
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| 17/01/2007 4:26 AM |
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I would have thought a school of their size to have those types of services! Gee, things are made even harder for working parents! |
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Shadowfax
Basic Member
Posts:12
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| 17/01/2007 12:26 PM |
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Posted By dadh1331 on 17-01-2007 04:17:55 AM
why should i have to pay through the roof for childcare, when the schools are meant to provide it. give me a break. if i cant find a solution soon, ill have to consider taking my kids out of north lakes & into an outside school.
I think you'll find that the school isn't "meant" to provide this easy solution for you. I have been involved with schools in the past and they provide this service at great expense to themselves. Paying someone to staff it, insurance etc is all a burden on the school itself. The government doesn't just throw money at the school to run it, so that you can go to work for longer
Maybe you should take your children out of the school, that way it would free up spots for people who appreciate the overall excellence of the school and what it provides for our children.
The school isn't responsible for looking after your kids out of school hours when you are at work, that is a parents responsibility.
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northlakes.com.au
Senior Member
Posts:244
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| 17/01/2007 4:40 PM |
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Childcare / Out of hours school care is a big issue for many families. In a number of families I know both Mum and Dad have to work just to keep their head above water.
Whilst I don't think the school is responsible for looking after your children before and after school there is certainly an increasing need for these types of services.
At a larger level the Government wants more Mums back at work. Childcare is also very expensive for families. It's interesting to look at the costs.
As an example if you have a combined family income of over approximately $94k ( I think ) you will lose almost all your childcare assistance. If you had two small children in full time care and assuming they had 4wks holiday off at a 50% discount it would cost you close to $22,000 a year ! That is after tax dollars as well. Even if your combined family income is less the costs are still quite high.
Add to that a mortgage - if it's around $280,000 then that's approximately $24,000 in repayments a year - also after tax dollars. Plus car, fuel, groceries, medical expenses etc. It all adds up.
We'll have 4 childcare centres in North Lakes soon so there is obviously the demand.
Regards, Scott
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Scott Moller
northlakes.com.au
* when you use a business from our site be sure to mention you found them here *
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Angelfire
Veteran Member
Posts:44
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| 21/01/2007 1:11 AM |
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Shadowfax, if you have truly been involved with schools in the past then you must have learnt that times change and the consumers needs change too. In the past you might have gotten away with paying for schooling and a house but the costs of both have gone up and the pay the families recieve hasn't risen at the same rate. Many families HAVE to work longer hours just to get the same rate of pay they may have recieved 5 yearsa ago. If the schools want to keep the students and parents happy they listen to the question of why they don't supply a particular service and if they want to keep their clients happy they meet demand or lose out to a better school. Simple. |
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