Busy Bees at Castlemaine

The first step is to tour your preferred Busy Bees childcare centre. This gives you an opportunity to meet our educators, explore our nurturing environment and understand how we can provide an experience that is best suited to your child. After your tour, you’ll receive an enrolment form to secure a spot or join the waitlist.

Yes! We offer permanent and casual childcare options to suit your family’s needs at all our centres.

We provide what is known as ‘All inclusive care’. This means not only do we educate your child in a nurturing environment, our childcare centres provide meals and beverages, sunscreen, hats, nappy creams and kids Aeroguard for your child. All you need to provide is a spare change of clothes and any specialised products your child requires: medications, milk or formula.

We use daily updates in the Story Park app. These feature photos and routine updates to keep you informed about your child’s activities, development and well-being.

You and your child’s experience are our main priority. We encourage open communication and are always happy to discuss any concerns or suggestions directly or anonymously using our Parent feedback form. The Service Manager at each of our childcare centres is the person you can liaise with in the first instance.

We follow strict emergency protocols and will immediately notify you if your child requires medical attention while contacting a doctor/hospital if required.

We have a First Aid Officer on hand every day at every childcare centre who is first aid and CPR certified, and we conduct regular safety training.

Each of our childcare centres has secure entry and exit systems, child-safe facilities, strict security policies and procedures, and trained staff to ensure your child’s safety at all times.

Your Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is calculated by the Australian Government based on your family\'s individual circumstances. The amount you receive depends on your combined family income, your recognised activity level (such as work, study or volunteering), the Government\'s hourly rate cap, and the number of children you have in approved childcare. Because every family is different, your subsidy may vary from someone else\'s.

If you\'d like to estimate your childcare fees before enrolling, you can use the Busy Bees Child Care Subsidy Calculator to see what your out-of-pocket costs may be or get in touch with our Family Care team for further support.

The CCS hourly rate cap is the maximum hourly fee the Australian Government uses when calculating your Child Care Subsidy. For the 2025–26 financial year, the hourly rate cap for Centre Based Day Care is $14.63 per hour for children below school age. If your centre\'s fees are higher than this amount, families simply pay the difference as part of their gap fee. The Australian Government reviews these rate caps each financial year.

Yes. The easiest way to estimate your childcare fees is by using the Busy Bees Child Care Subsidy Calculator. The calculator provides an estimate based on your family\'s circumstances, helping you understand what your childcare costs may look like after Child Care Subsidy has been applied. If you\'d like more personalised guidance, our team is also happy to help explain your fees and answer any questions.

Services Australia is the best place to find the latest information about Child Care Subsidy, including eligibility, activity requirements and payment rates. If you\'re looking to estimate your childcare fees, you can also use the Busy Bees Child Care Subsidy Calculator before you enrol.

The gap fee is the portion of your childcare fees that you pay after your Child Care Subsidy has been applied. The Australian Government pays your Child Care Subsidy directly to your childcare provider, and you simply pay the remaining balance. The amount you pay depends on your family\'s CCS entitlement and your centre\'s daily fees.

Families can receive Child Care Subsidy for up to 42 allowable absence days per child, per financial year (1 July to 30 June). These days can be used for many everyday situations, including illness, family holidays and public holidays. In most cases, you don\'t need to provide documentation for these first 42 absences. Additional absences may also be covered in certain circumstances, such as when supported by a medical certificate or other approved evidence under Services Australia guidelines.

Many Busy Bees centres offer Government-approved Kindergarten or Preschool programs led by qualified Early Childhood Teachers. Availability varies between centres and states.

Our programs are designed to prepare children for school through play-based learning, helping them build confidence, independence, communication skills and a lifelong love of learning.

If you\'re interested in a Kindergarten or Preschool program, our team can let you know what\'s available at your local Busy Bees centre.

The terms Kindergarten and Preschool are used differently across Australia, depending on your state or territory. Both refer to the year before children begin primary school. At Busy Bees, our programs follow Australia\'s approved Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and focus on developing the skills children need for a confident transition to school through meaningful, play-based learning.

We\'ve made getting ready for childcare as easy as possible. Most Busy Bees centres provide nutritious meals, snacks, bedding for rest time and a Busy Bees hat when your child enrols. Depending on your child\'s age and your centre\'s requirements, you may simply need to pack a spare change of clothes, a drink bottle and any comfort items your child enjoys. Please ask your Centre Director about any specifics

Busy Bees uses Storypark, a secure family communication platform that keeps you connected to your child\'s day. Depending on your child\'s age, you\'ll receive updates about meals, sleep, learning experiences, photos, nappies or toileting, and other important moments throughout the day. Storypark helps families stay involved in their child\'s learning, even while they\'re at work.

Most Busy Bees centres provide nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day to support children\'s growth, wellbeing and learning. Menus are carefully planned to offer a variety of balanced meals and can accommodate allergies, dietary requirements and cultural preferences wherever possible. If your child has specific dietary needs, our team will work closely with you to support them.

Busy Bees follows Australia\'s approved Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), which is built around the principles of Belonging, Being and Becoming. We believe children learn best through play, curiosity and meaningful relationships. Our educators follow our unique Bee Curious Curriculum to create engaging learning environments where children can explore, solve problems, develop confidence and build the skills they\'ll use throughout life. Every child\'s learning journey is unique, and our programs are tailored to support their individual interests, strengths and stage of development.

Creating a safe, secure and nurturing environment is at the heart of everything we do. Our centres follow comprehensive health, safety and safeguarding practices, including secure entry procedures, qualified educators, child protection training, supervision policies, hygiene standards, emergency management processes and medication and allergy management. We\'re committed to creating environments where children feel safe, supported and confident to learn every day.