Our Services

Flexible care options for children and families

Malaika Garden helps families explore home-based education and care arrangements that reflect their child’s age, routine, location and required days and hours. Available services depend on individual educators, their operating arrangements and current vacancies.

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Children participating in engaging early learning activities

Regular care Consistent part-time or full-time weekly arrangements.

School-age care Before school, after school and school holiday options.

Flexible care Occasional or changing arrangements where capacity exists.

Individual support Care considered around the needs and circumstances of each child.

01 · Ongoing weekly care

Regular Family Day Care

Consistent part-time or full-time care on agreed days and hours. Children build familiar routines and an ongoing relationship with the same educator in a welcoming home-based environment.

Best suited to Families needing dependable weekly care and children who benefit from continuity, smaller groups and familiar relationships.

Availability varies between educators. Days, hours, age groups and commencement dates must be confirmed before enrolment.

02 · School-age care

Before and After School Care

Care for school-aged children outside school hours can provide a familiar place to begin or finish the day. Arrangements depend on educator location, operating hours, school connections and availability.

Best suited to Families needing care around the school day, including parents who begin work early, finish later or require a regular home-based arrangement outside school hours.

Transport is not automatically included. School collection, drop-off and travel arrangements must be confirmed with the service and educator.

03 · School holiday care

Vacation Care

School holiday care may offer children a balanced day of creative activities, outdoor play, social connection, practical experiences and time to relax in a smaller home-based environment.

Best suited to Families whose work or study continues during school holidays and children who benefit from a relaxed, familiar and age-appropriate setting.

Holiday availability can change. Families should enquire before each school holiday period because educator operating arrangements and vacancies may differ.

04 · Care around changing circumstances

Occasional and Flexible Care

Where an educator has suitable capacity, occasional, short-term or changing care arrangements may be considered for families whose needs do not follow the same permanent weekly schedule.

Best suited to Shift workers, families with changing rosters, parents attending appointments or training, and families requiring care for a defined short-term period.

Flexible care cannot be guaranteed. Availability depends on educator capacity, sufficient notice and completion of the required enrolment process.

05 · Individually considered care

Care for Children With Additional Needs

Families can discuss their child’s health, development, communication, routines and support needs so the service and educator can consider whether a proposed arrangement may be safe, inclusive and appropriate.

Best suited to Families seeking an individually considered arrangement involving additional communication, health planning, environmental adjustments or predictable routines.

A placement cannot be assumed or guaranteed. Suitability depends on the child’s needs, educator capacity, care environment, existing group and required support arrangements.

What Is Included in the Care Experience

Each educator operates a unique care environment, but the overall experience should support children’s safety, wellbeing, learning, relationships and participation throughout the day.

Play-based learning

Opportunities to create, investigate, communicate, move and solve problems through meaningful play.

Meals and daily routines

Age-appropriate support with meals, hygiene, rest, transitions and everyday participation.

Outdoor experiences

Movement, gardening, nature and active play where suitable outdoor spaces and arrangements are available.

Individual attention

Care informed by the child’s age, routines, interests, communication and emerging development.

Relationships and belonging

Familiar interactions with an educator and a smaller group of children in a home-based environment.

Family communication

Information about the child’s day, wellbeing, experiences and relevant changes or concerns.

Experiences, routines, food arrangements and communication methods vary between educators and should be discussed before enrolment.

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Choosing the Right Service for Your Family

The best arrangement is one that is workable for the family, appropriate for the child and sustainable for the educator. Consider the whole care experience rather than focusing only on a vacancy.

Your child’s age

Consider the child’s development, routine, independence and the age groups already attending the care setting.

Days and hours

Confirm that the educator’s operating hours align with your actual work, study, travel and family commitments.

Location

Consider distance from home, work, school and the practical journey required for arrival and collection.

Care environment

Ask about routines, indoor and outdoor spaces, other children and how the educator organises the day.

Individual needs

Discuss health, communication, comfort, culture, behaviour, development and any additional support requirements.

Meet before deciding

Families should have an opportunity to speak with the educator, ask questions and consider whether the proposed arrangement feels suitable before completing enrolment.

Service Availability and Fees

Family Day Care educators operate individual home-based services. Vacancies, operating hours and fee arrangements can therefore differ between educators and care types.

Availability

What affects available care

The child’s age and required care arrangement
The family’s preferred suburb or travel area
The days and hours requested
The educator’s current vacancies and operating schedule
The existing group of children attending the service
The proposed commencement date
Any individual health, routine or support requirements

Fees and payments

What families should confirm

The educator’s applicable hourly or session fees
Minimum booking periods where relevant
Payment timing and approved payment methods
Charges relating to absences or reserved places
Any additional costs connected with specific arrangements
Notice requirements for changing or ending care
Any applicable subsidy or account information required

Fees should be confirmed before enrolment. Families should receive clear information about the proposed care arrangement, payment responsibilities and applicable conditions before care commences.

Find the right care arrangement for your family

Tell us about your child, your location and the days and hours of care you require. Malaika Garden will review your enquiry, explain the available options and help you consider a suitable educator and care arrangement.

Begin with a conversation

You do not need to know which service type is best before contacting us. Our team can discuss your circumstances and guide you through the options.

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Making an enquiry does not guarantee or commit you to a placement. All care arrangements remain subject to availability, suitability and completed enrolment requirements.