My child loves this childcare centre, the staff are so kind and care a lot for the children and provide a safe and comfortable environment for them. It is well operated, they have been here so long & much loved in the community. My friends recommended this centre to us & we are so happy we enrolled. Everyone here genuinely care and the children learn a lot.

Extremely disappointing experience.<br><br>Our child was due to start next week but never attended.<br><br>During the enrolment process, we were demanded to pay a $420 bond in cash, which immediately raised concerns. No receipt or written documentation was provided at the time, and the process did not sit right with us.<br><br>A further $804 was then deducted from our account, including what appeared to be an additional bond and advance childcare fees that had not been clearly explained before enrolment.<br><br>When I attended the centre to seek clarification, there was no manager on site, and despite calling multiple times throughout the day, no one answered the phone.<br><br>The lack of transparency, communication and professionalism left us with no confidence in leaving our child in their care. As a result, we withdrew our child's enrolment before they even commenced and requested a full refund.<br><br>Based on our experience, I cannot recommend this centre to other families.

We are very happy with our experience at this childcare centre. The staff are caring, supportive, and create a warm environment where children feel safe and valued.<br><br>Center manager Jess is very supportive. A special mention to all the teachers (Miss Shabana, Miss Jenny, Miss Rebecca), who are truly amazing. Their dedication, patience, and genuine care for the children make a real difference. They take the time to understand each child's needs and support their learning and development with great enthusiasm.<br><br>We are grateful for everything they do and highly recommend this centre to any family looking for quality childcare.

My daughter has been attending Shine Preschool for 8 months now. She is a highly sensitive child, and at the beginning she struggled with separation anxiety and would cry and miss home. However, this difficult phase didn’t last long and she adjusted much faster than I expected. I truly believe the caring teachers and the warm, supportive environment at the centre gave her a strong sense of security. She has told me that she enjoys going to preschool, and she often excitedly shares what she has learned each day. Seeing her so happy, confident, and engaged has completely eased all my worries about separation. I’m very grateful to all the teachers for their care and dedication. They are consistently kind, gentle, and patient, and it really shows in how well the children thrive.

I have nothing but praise for the staff at Shine. I have had 2 children attend Shine up until they transitioned to school and I could not be happier with the care given to both children. The staff are amazing and have been there throughout the children's journey, the low staff turn over gives the children a sense if family. They have been there from the start and watched the children grow and are always asking about them. I would also like to say that the food is exceptional. I have a very picky eater and a eat everything eater and they were always happy to eat the food provided. The centre works with you to ensure the children's needs are met. The staff listen and for me this is very important, the children's care and happiness are always first and foremost.

Shine was an amazing daycare and our daughter’s very first experience with childcare. We couldn’t have asked for a better environment — she was made to feel comfortable, supported, and truly cared for from the very beginning. She formed wonderful friendships and absolutely loved her educators. During her year at Shine, she started in the Caterpillar Room with Miss Regina and Miss Heidi. At the time, she was very nervous and had never been in a new environment without us. Their patience and care helped her feel safe and confident, and we truly saw her grow in herself during this time. She later moved to the Rosella Room with Miss Yoko and Miss Ana, where we saw even more development. She became clearer in her words and actions, was able to tell us about her day, and really thrived with the routine and structure provided. We genuinely believe every educator played a role in building her confidence and supporting her growth and development. We are incredibly grateful to the entire Shine team. If we hadn’t moved suburbs, we would have happily kept her at Shine until she started school.

Summary: This centre prioritises staff convenience over children’s needs, with disengaging routines, questionable discipline methods, management dishonesty, and a lack of stimulating, child-centred activities. The overall atmosphere is cold and uninspiring, with policies that work against best practice in early childhood education. Key Concerns: 1. Convenience Over Children’s Needs o Nap times enforced for all children, regardless of individual needs, to give staff uninterrupted paperwork time. o No quiet play options offered for toddlers. KIDS FORCED TO SLEEP, and you wont see a single toddler out of 15 awake which is strange. We were promised by Jesica (manager) that my daughter could have a quiet play which was never delivered. The best she could get was sitting at a table in a completely dark room, while the educators doing paperwork on computers. (Jesica promised that my daughter woud be taken to another room with other kids to play, but then she refused) 2. Dishonest Management Practices o Management may assure parents of certain approaches or accommodations but then do the opposite once the child is enrolled. For example, we called Jesica asking for something, but our messages never got to the room educators, so many lies in this centre. 3. Unhealthy Discipline Practices o Staff use threats such as “We’ll send you to Miss Jessica’s office” towards toddlers. o Educators shouting at children, with management justifying it instead of addressing concerns. Example: when we brough the matter to the manager, she said some kids not like your kids and don’t listen, so we have to!!!!! Yes this is Shine’s manager attitude. 4. Disengaging and Unstimulating Environment o Children often left to wander aimlessly with minimal organised activities. o Group activities lack creativity or developmental value. 5. Poor Sensory Play and Hygiene Standards o Sandpit unclean and poorly maintained. o Children not allowed to remove shoes in the sandpit, contrary to Australian early childhood guidelines for sensory play. Again because Shine prioritises the staff convenience. Taking off shoes means they have to help kids to wear shoes, so they don’t want to bother. 6. Inappropriate Screen Use o Educational content shown on a small computer monitor (the same use for paperwork) rather than a suitable large display or projector. Again, because kids not important there. Just imagine 25 kids sitting and putting pressure on their eyes to see what is happening. HONESTLY: SHIN, HOW YOU CAN BE THAT IRRESPONSIBLE TOWARDS KIDS??? o Only one exception there and that is Miss Rebeca who is a very kind, passionate and professional educator, however she also has to follow the meaningless routines of Shine. Recommendation for Prospective Parents: Spend 20 minutes observing the centre before enrolling. You are unlikely to see passion, warmth, or genuine engagement from educators, but you will see a rigid, convenience-driven environment where promises to parents are not honoured and children’s development is not the priority. While all other centres in the area running full capacity and so hard to get an spot, no wonder why Shine is operating half capacity; having said that even half capacity is too much for what Shine offers!!

We have had children at Shine Preschool Carlingford on and off for over 11 years now, and I can't praise them enough! Our youngest is currently in his final year, getting ready for big school next year, and the program is fantastic in promoting school readiness—engaging, interactive, and well-structured. Miss Bec is an absolute gem! She has been at the centre since we started all those years ago, and both kids and parents adore her for the incredible contribution she makes to our children’s lives. Jess, the centre manager, has also been amazing. When I needed to enrol my youngest earlier than planned due to university commitments, she was incredibly supportive and accommodating, making the transition so much smoother. As any parent knows, starting daycare can be nerve-racking, even for those with previous experience, but Jess made sure we felt comfortable and reassured every step of the way. You know it’s a sign of a great place when your kids run through the door without even looking back to say goodbye! Jess does an incredible job balancing the needs and wishes of every family, which is no easy task, yet she manages it with excellence. The staff are clearly hand-picked to ensure the best fit for the centre, creating a warm, nurturing, and high-quality learning environment. The facilities are also fantastic—multiple huge undercover outdoor play areas, a veggie patch, and four spacious classrooms tailored to different age groups, from newborns to preschoolers. The on-site chef prepares a variety of fresh, nutritious meals daily, which even my fussy eater enjoys! Communication is key, especially when it comes to our children. I love that the app is updated throughout the day, allowing us to see photos of what the kids have been up to. It also provides detailed updates on the daily menu, how much our children have eaten and drunk, as well as their sleep, nap, and bathroom routines—keeping us thoroughly informed. The staff are always friendly and welcoming upon arrival, taking the time to share how our kids have been throughout the day. They are always happy to answer any questions or concerns, making us feel confident that our children are in great hands. I truly cannot fault Shine Preschool Carlingford and would highly recommend it to any family looking for a caring, high-quality early learning centre.

I would give Shine 5,000 stars if I could! My 13-month-old son has been attending Shine for the past 9 months, and we couldn’t be happier. All the educators are loving, kind, and genuinely care for the kids. They always greet us with smiles and create such a warm and welcoming environment. The coordinator Jess is incredibly supportive and always happy to help with any questions or concerns. The space is clean, safe, and full of positive energy. We love checking the portal to see photos of our little one happily playing with friends, along with updates on his meals, naps, and diaper changes—it gives us so much peace of mind. Shine has been an amazing experience for our family, and we can’t recommend it enough!