Council caring for children

Listen

Monday, 12 January 2026

Being able to rely on a “consistent, happy face” means everything to Sarah Weichert and her sons.

Fletcher, 4, and Remy, 2, were both about 10 months old when they started attending child care at Knox Children and Family Centre.

Council’s centres at Bayswater and Wantirna South offer child care, kindergarten, playgroups and Maternal and Child Health services.

Sarah Wiechert, Simon Harrex and their children Remy and Fletcher.

“I think what I love most about the centre is that it has very minimal staff turnover so there is always a consistent, happy face,” Sarah says.

“My eldest son has autism so, for him, having that consistent, predictable routine and the consistent, predictable staffing was really important. It was really important for me as well.

“It was actually when he was in the Babies Room (the 0-2 space) when it was flagged with me that there were some behaviours that they said could be worth investigating through an OT (Occupational Therapist), and they alerted me to accessing things like early intervention funding through NDIS.

“I’m a teacher but I think because I work with older children I didn’t know what to look for in an 18 month-aged child. So, the staff were really supportive and comforting in that space.”

Sarah says it’s important to acknowledge that child care is “more than babysitting”.

“They’re educators and they need to be valued as educators,” she says. “They’ve got a lot of knowledge and skills around managing and helping all kinds of different children. I think they’re all phenomenal and they’ve all been amazing in different ways for both my children.”

Did you know

The Australian Government is now subsidising a minimum of three days’ child care for eligible families.

We invite you to speak to Council’s friendly team about child care or integrated 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten vacancies. Book a tour at Knox Children and Family Centres at:

41 Phyllis Street, Bayswater, 9738 9700 or [email protected]

81 Argyle Way, Wantirna South, 9837 9600 or email [email protected]

Find out more about Council's child care services.

Council caring for children

Did you know

What's happening

Newsletter