Enrollment Process
Enrollment Process
How do I start?
If you’re interested in enrolling, we encourage you to book a tour of the Kornerstone Academy childcare centres that are closest to you. Families are welcome and encouraged to visit as many Academy childcare centres as they like. It’s important that you find the right centre, staff team, and facilities that will best nurture and support your child.
During your tour you will have the opportunity to meet the Centre Manager, learn more about Creative Curriculum education, and ask any questions you may have about the program or facilities. We encourage families to get a good feel for what we do so they understand what’s so special about our educational approach and teaching approach.
If you are interested in starting, the Centre Manager will provide you with an Enrolment Kit or Waiting List depending on your expected start date and centre vacancies. A member of our Family Care Team will follow up with you after the tour to answer any outstanding questions and to assist you with the paperwork.
If you join the Waiting List, you will receive quarterly updates on your child’s status, as well as useful information about the centre, and learning resources.
During your tour you will have the opportunity to meet the Centre Manager, learn more about Creative Curriculum education, and ask any questions you may have about the program or facilities. We encourage families to get a good feel for what we do so they understand what’s so special about our educational approach and teaching approach.
If you are interested in starting, the Centre Manager will provide you with an Enrolment Kit or Waiting List depending on your expected start date and centre vacancies. A member of our Family Care Team will follow up with you after the tour to answer any outstanding questions and to assist you with the paperwork.
If you join the Waiting List, you will receive quarterly updates on your child’s status, as well as useful information about the centre, and learning resources.
What is the Child Care Subsidy?
The Child Care Subsidy is a government payment that reduces families out-of-pocket costs for childcare, including: Centre Based Day Care, Family Day Care or Outside School Hours Care.
All Academy childcare centres are registered for the Child Care Resource Center (CCRC). If you’re new to childcare, we recommend that you apply for the claim as soon as possible.
For more information, you can visit www.ccrcca.org
All Academy childcare centres are registered for the Child Care Resource Center (CCRC). If you’re new to childcare, we recommend that you apply for the claim as soon as possible.
For more information, you can visit www.ccrcca.org
Childcare, Daycare and Preschool – Enrollment Process
Choosing the right childcare provider for your family is a big decision. After all, you’re looking for the people, program, and facilities that will nurture your child during their most crucial formative years. Research shows that quality early education has a direct impact on children’s health, wellbeing, education, and career prospects in later life.
At Kornerstone Academy, we approach our role as partners in your child’s early education. We’re a support network of like-minded people who value the importance of early childhood education and the role it plays in shaping children’s long-term success and wellbeing. Our goal is to nurture each child to become a confident, independent, and courageous life-long learner.
We recommend that families do their research before choosing an early education provider. To get started, make a list of locations, tour each one, and get a feel for the curriculum, educational team, facilities, and approach to children’s learning. When you’ve found the right centre, you’ll know!
At Kornerstone Academy, we approach our role as partners in your child’s early education. We’re a support network of like-minded people who value the importance of early childhood education and the role it plays in shaping children’s long-term success and wellbeing. Our goal is to nurture each child to become a confident, independent, and courageous life-long learner.
We recommend that families do their research before choosing an early education provider. To get started, make a list of locations, tour each one, and get a feel for the curriculum, educational team, facilities, and approach to children’s learning. When you’ve found the right centre, you’ll know!
Book a tour of your short-listed childcare centres
The second step to enrolling is to book a tour at your preferred Academy childcare centre or centres. When you tour, keep an eye out for warm and welcoming interactions, beautifully clean facilities, organised spaces, happy children, and engaged staff who love what they do. Positive interactions are the foundation of Kornerstone Academy childcare service.
Questions to ask on your tour:
What’s unique about the Kornerstone Education Program?
What are the core learning areas in each classroom?
What are your core values and beliefs about early childhood education?
Which educators will be working with my child?
How do the Kornerstone materials work?
What will my child learn?
What’s included in the daily fee?
How do you report on my child’s progress?
How do you communicate with families on a daily basis?
Questions to ask on your tour:
What’s unique about the Kornerstone Education Program?
What are the core learning areas in each classroom?
What are your core values and beliefs about early childhood education?
Which educators will be working with my child?
How do the Kornerstone materials work?
What will my child learn?
What’s included in the daily fee?
How do you report on my child’s progress?
How do you communicate with families on a daily basis?
Enroll at Kornerstone Academy
Where you have completed a tour with your child and there is availability, families looking to start now are welcome to complete an Enrolment Form. This form includes details relating to your child’s details, medical information, terms and conditions, and helpful information to assist you with starting your child in childcare.
All information supplied by families is kept in accordance with Kornerstone Academy’s Privacy Policy and government regulations. Once your Enrolment Kit has been submitted, the Family Care Team will contact you to confirm your child’s enrolment schedule, orientation date, and official start date. Your enrolment is confirmed once you receive a formal Confirmation of Enrolment email.
To enrol you will need:
Parent/Guardian’s details
Child’s details
Medical information
Customer Reference Number from Centrelink for the parent claiming the CCRC if applicable
Customer Reference Number (CRN) from Centrelink for your child/children
Immunisation History Statement from Medicare
Birth Certificate
Photo of your child
All information supplied by families is kept in accordance with Kornerstone Academy’s Privacy Policy and government regulations. Once your Enrolment Kit has been submitted, the Family Care Team will contact you to confirm your child’s enrolment schedule, orientation date, and official start date. Your enrolment is confirmed once you receive a formal Confirmation of Enrolment email.
To enrol you will need:
Parent/Guardian’s details
Child’s details
Medical information
Customer Reference Number from Centrelink for the parent claiming the CCRC if applicable
Customer Reference Number (CRN) from Centrelink for your child/children
Immunisation History Statement from Medicare
Birth Certificate
Photo of your child
How can I prepare my child for their transition to childcare?
Bring your child to your initial center tour and observe how they interact with the environment, children, and educators
Talk positively about the exciting things they will experience, play with, and learn at Kornerstone Academy
Involve your child in choosing, organizing, and labelling the items they will take with them to childcare
Talk about their new routine and what to expect in the lead up to starting childcare
Attend the orientation session with your child to help them settle into their new environment
Talk about the emotions they may experience and how they can help manage their feelings Read stories about starting school
Talk positively about the exciting things they will experience, play with, and learn at Kornerstone Academy
Involve your child in choosing, organizing, and labelling the items they will take with them to childcare
Talk about their new routine and what to expect in the lead up to starting childcare
Attend the orientation session with your child to help them settle into their new environment
Talk about the emotions they may experience and how they can help manage their feelings Read stories about starting school
What can I do to help ease my child's separation anxiety?
It’s very normal for children (and parents) to have feelings of anxiety when they first start childcare. It takes children time to get used to their new routine, build positive relationships with their educators and peers, and come to understand that their new environment is a fun, safe, and happy place. Supporting children with separation anxiety can be challenging; however, just remember that this stage will soon pass, and that most children are quite settled within a few minutes of their families leaving. If you are ever concerned, you are always welcome to call the centre to check in on your child, or book a meeting with the Centre Manager to discuss additional support for settling your child.
Tips to Ease Separation Anxiety:
Bring your child on the initial centre tour so they develop a sense of familiarity
Talk positively about the exciting things they will experience, play with, and learn at Kornerstone Academy
Involve your child in choosing, organising, and labelling the items they will take with them to childcare
Talk about their new routine and what to expect in the lead up to starting childcare
Attend the orientation session with your child to help them settle into their new environment
Talk about the emotions they may experience and how they can help manage their feelings Read stories about starting school
Establish a quick goodbye ritual where you leave smiling, calm, and confident to build your child’s confidence and sense of security in their new environment
Be consistent with drop off and pick up times so your child becomes familiar with their new routines and knows what to expect when
Practice being apart by leaving your child with a trusted adult or family member for a few hours
Tell them when you will pick them up in child-specific terms i.e. “I’ll pick you up after rest time before afternoon snack
Tips to Ease Separation Anxiety:
Bring your child on the initial centre tour so they develop a sense of familiarity
Talk positively about the exciting things they will experience, play with, and learn at Kornerstone Academy
Involve your child in choosing, organising, and labelling the items they will take with them to childcare
Talk about their new routine and what to expect in the lead up to starting childcare
Attend the orientation session with your child to help them settle into their new environment
Talk about the emotions they may experience and how they can help manage their feelings Read stories about starting school
Establish a quick goodbye ritual where you leave smiling, calm, and confident to build your child’s confidence and sense of security in their new environment
Be consistent with drop off and pick up times so your child becomes familiar with their new routines and knows what to expect when
Practice being apart by leaving your child with a trusted adult or family member for a few hours
Tell them when you will pick them up in child-specific terms i.e. “I’ll pick you up after rest time before afternoon snack
How can I check in to see if my child has settled?
Families are welcome to call the center to check in on their child at any time throughout the day. Our team will always provide you with open and honest feedback about how your child is settling in. If your child is unsettled, rest assured that an educator will contact you, and advise you if you need to pick them up. Families also receive regular photo updates via our family communication app. These updates show what activities your child is engaging in as well as their eating, sleeping, and toileting schedule.
How will I know what my child did during the day?
Families are provided with login details to our family communication app on their child’s first day. The app is regularly updated with photos and information about the activities your child is engaging in, their daily routine for eating, sleeping and toileting, and general updates about the centre. The family communication app is also home to all of Kornerstone Academy’s policies, useful parent resources, and developmental reports specific to your child.
What should I do if I need extra support or have any questions?
Starting childcare can be a challenging time for families. It’s very common to feel anxious and uncertain at the beginning of your childcare journey. First and foremost, we want you to know that you are always welcome to share your feelings and experiences with us and that we are here to support you in any way we can. We are deeply honored that you have entrusted us with the education and care of your child. We want to create a home away from home for your child and to provide you with a supportive community for you and your family.
Ready to get started?
If you need anything, please contact our Center Manager, or our Office on 840-888-9089.