Enrolling at Buds & Bees, step by step
From your first visit to your child's first day, here is what happens and what you will need. If you have a question at any stage, call us on (02) 6140 3211.
Seven simple steps
Book a tour
Call us, email info@budsandbees.com.au or send an enquiry. Visit with your child, see the rooms and the courtyard, meet our educators and ask anything.
Ask for the online enrolment
After your tour, email us at info@budsandbees.com.au and we'll send you the details for our online enrolment.
Complete the online enrolment
Fill in every required field, including your child's immunisation record, birth certificate and direct debit details. Your enrolment comes straight to us.
Receive your offer
We review your enrolment and make you an offer based on current availability. If the days you'd like aren't available, we can add you to the waitlist for those days. Bookings are for at least three days a week.
Set up your Child Care Subsidy
Claim CCS through your Centrelink online account in myGov, and give us the Customer Reference Numbers (CRNs) for you and your child. How CCS works
Orientation
Once your place is confirmed, you and your child have two free orientation visits in the week before your child starts: about an hour first, then a longer visit that includes a mealtime and rest time. Your first two weeks of fees are charged at orientation, instead of a bond.
First day
Sign your child in, then confirm the enrolment in your Centrelink online account so your CCS can be paid. You'll see photos and stories of your child's day on Storypark.
Good to know
- Children from six months to school age
- A minimum of three days a week, on the same days each week
- No bond: two weeks' fees are charged in advance
- Two weeks' written notice to reduce days or leave
- Free preschool on Mondays for eligible three-year-olds
What you'll need to enrol
Please have ready
- Your child's AIR Immunisation History Statement (see below)
- Your child's birth certificate
- Direct debit details for your fees
- Customer Reference Numbers (CRNs) for the parent claiming CCS and for your child
- Contact details for parents, emergency contacts and anyone authorised to collect your child
- Any medical management plans, for example for asthma, allergies or anaphylaxis
- Copies of any court orders or parenting plans about who may collect your child
At orientation we go through
- The All About Me form for your child's age (0–2 years, toddler or preschool), so we can follow your child's routines and interests from day one
- Your child's medical management, risk minimisation and communication plans, if they have a medical condition, allergy or dietary need
- Our social media permission form
- Setting up Storypark for your family
- How we keep children safe, how to sign in and out, and how to raise a concern
Before your start date we'll also send you an information pack, including our Family Handbook, settling-in guide and packing list. About six weeks after your child starts, we'll ask you to complete a short orientation survey.
Keeping every child protected
Under the ACT's Public Health Regulation, we need a copy of your child's immunisation record when you enrol. The easiest record to give us is your child's Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Please give us an updated statement after each scheduled vaccination, and tell us if your child's immunisation status changes.
Immunisation isn't compulsory in the ACT, but if there's an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease, a child who isn't fully immunised against it, or who has no record, may need to stay home until ACT Health says the risk has passed. If your child has a medical exemption, your doctor records it on the AIR and you give us a copy of the letter.
To receive the Child Care Subsidy, your child must also meet the Australian Government's immunisation requirements on the AIR.
Getting your child's statement
- Download it from your Medicare online account in myGov or the Express Plus Medicare app
- Or call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809
- Vaccinations are available from your GP or a Canberra Health Services Early Childhood Immunisation Clinic: book through Community Health Intake on (02) 5124 9977
- Questions? Call the National Immunisation Information Line on 1800 671 811
More information: ACT baby and child vaccinations · National Immunisation Program schedule
Helping your child feel at home
Every child settles in their own way and in their own time. These ideas help most children through the first few weeks. Talk with your child's educators about what will work best for your family.
Plan for shorter days
Short days at first help your child learn that you always come back. Build up the hours gradually, and talk to us about what works with your job.
Practise time apart
If you can, let your child spend a little time with a family member or close friend beforehand, so being cared for by other trusted adults feels familiar.
Say a confident goodbye
Always say goodbye rather than slipping away, keep it calm, and tell your child who will pick them up. Arriving a little early helps your child settle into an activity.
Plan comforts for the day
A comfort blanket, cuddly toy or dummy, or an activity your child loves, such as playdough or a favourite book, helps educators comfort your child.
Get to know the educators
Spend a few minutes each morning chatting with your child's educators. As your child sees you relaxed with them, they will feel safe too.
We'll keep in touch
Call or message the room any time to see how your child is going. If your child is upset for a long time, isn't eating or seems unwell, we'll call you and agree a plan together.
Ready to take the next step?
Book a tour, and we'll send you the details for our online enrolment afterwards.