Dear Jaika,<br><br>Thank you for your email and for explaining the Centre’s decision regarding vacation care for Riyaansh.<br><br>While we appreciate your response, after had to chase you for replying….we are extremely disappointed and concerned by the decision, particularly by the reasoning provided.<br><br>We fully understand that the safety and wellbeing of every child and educator must always come first. As Riyaansh’s parents, his safety is also our highest priority. However, we are concerned that his autism and his previous attempts to open doors and leave the service appear to have become significant factors in the decision not to accommodate him.<br><br>If a child is able to open a door that could allow them to leave the Centre unsupervised, we believe this raises a broader question about the security of the premises and supervision arrangements. This should not only be considered an issue relating to an autistic child. If Riyaansh can open or access these doors, another child may potentially be able to do the same.<br><br>We are also concerned that the Centre’s current staffing levels and capacity have resulted in Riyaansh being unable to access vacation care. We understand that additional supervision may sometimes be required, but we would have hoped there could have been a discussion with us about possible strategies, additional support, risk-management measures or reasonable adjustments before reaching the decision to exclude him from vacation care.<br><br>Riyaansh is a child first. Autism is part of who he is, but it should not automatically become a barrier to participating in activities and services available to other children.<br><br>We would therefore appreciate some clarification regarding:<br><br>What specific risk assessment was undertaken regarding Riyaansh before this decision was made;<br>What reasonable adjustments or additional support options were considered;<br>Whether the Centre has investigated additional staffing or support arrangements that could enable him to attend;<br>What measures are currently in place to prevent any child from opening an external door and leaving the Centre unsupervised; and<br>Whether this decision is temporary due to the current vacation-care staffing arrangements, or whether Riyaansh will continue to be unable to access future vacation-care programs.<br><br>As parents, receiving a message that our son cannot be accommodated is very upsetting. Families of children with additional needs already face considerable challenges in finding appropriate care, and we hope that inclusion, understanding and practical solutions can be explored wherever reasonably possible.<br><br>I also notice one of the Google review mentioning a child escape the centre few months back, is that the reason for punishing my son ?

I had a wonderful experience completing my placement at Cuddles Early Learning Centre Byford, and I feel very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from such a warm, professional, and dedicated team.<br>From the very beginning, I was warmly welcomed by everyone and made to feel like part of the team. Throughout my placement, all the educators were incredibly kind, patient, supportive, and always willing to share their knowledge and experience with me. I learned so much from observing how passionate and professional they are in their work with children.<br>What impressed me most was the genuine care and responsibility the educators show towards every child. They are attentive to the children's individual needs and always make sure the children feel safe, supported, and cared for.<br>I also saw how professionally the team communicates and works with families. The educators are caring, approachable, and respectful towards parents, and it is clear that they value building strong and positive relationships with families.<br>As a placement student, I feel very lucky to have been able to learn from such an amazing team. I am especially grateful to my mentor and all the educators for their guidance, patience, kindness, and encouragement throughout my placement. They made my experience incredibly positive and meaningful, and I truly appreciate everything they taught me.<br>Thank you for giving me such a wonderful and memorable placement experience. I would highly recommend this centre to families looking for a caring, professional, responsible, and supportive environment for their children, as well as to students who are looking for a great place to learn and gain experience in early childhood education.

A huge shoutout to Tarryn for all the amazing changes she has made in the Schoolies room! The room now feels so exciting and inviting to walk into, with fresh activities and experiences being introduced daily that keep the children interested and engaged.

I had the pleasure of picking up my grandson from the centre yesterday and was so impressed with the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The girls were all so friendly and made me feel right at home. I also loved the little treats on offer on the way out, freshly prepared by Tarryn the centre chef - such a thoughtful touch that made the whole experience that little bit more special.

From the moment you walk into the centre, you can see how much effort has been put into making the centre look well put together, creative and welcoming<br><br>My child is in the Giraffe Room and our experience has been nothing but positive. The educators are warm, caring and inviting.<br><br>You can tell that the centre manager really goes above and beyond with her staff, and you can feel she genuinely cares about the families.<br><br>I can’t forget the little treats waiting at reception on your way out the door, hand prepared by the chef Tarryn. It’s such a nice little touch to making the place feel homely.<br><br>Overall, I’ve had such a great experience with Cuddles Byford and couldn’t be happier.

I have a child with food allergies, so finding a daycare that could confidently cater to my childs dietary needs was super important to me. Taryn the chef has been amazing! She is easy to talk to and she accommodates to our needs with ease!<br><br>I also have to give a little shout out to the yummy snacks she whips up in the kitchen, that are left at the reception desk for the families on their way out.<br><br>Overall im super happy with Cuddles Byford. Jaika the manager has done a great job at making the centre feel welcoming, supportive and like a place you definitely feel comfortable leaving your child.

Our family has had a lovely experience at Cuddles. My two daughters are always happy to attend and come home excited to share their day. Miss Ana is warm, polite and fun with the children, and the whole experience has given us great peace of mind. I’ve recommended Cuddles Daycare to family and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for a caring centre.

I’m extremely happy with Miss Chloe. She does a wonderful job with my grandchildren, and they absolutely adore her. Her caring and engaging approach has made a positive impact, and I highly recommend her.

Jaika is an incredible manager who truly goes above and beyond for everyone around her. Her kindness, compassion, and dedication are evident in everything she does, and she creates such a positive and welcoming environment.<br><br>She has an amazing bond with all of the children, and it’s obvious how much they love and trust her. She takes the time to make every child feel safe, happy, and valued, and it shows in the smiles on their faces every day.<br><br>One thing that really stands out about Jaika is how supportive she is. She is always encouraging those around her to continue learning, go the extra mile with their studies, and achieve their goals. She celebrates others’ successes and is always willing to offer guidance, support, and encouragement whenever it’s needed.<br><br>She is also incredibly approachable and understanding. Whether it’s a parent needing reassurance, a child looking for comfort, or someone simply needing a chat, Jaika always makes time to listen and help. She genuinely cares about the people around her, and that’s what makes her such an exceptional leader.<br><br>The centre is incredibly lucky to have someone as passionate and caring as Jaika. She makes a positive difference in so many lives, and I couldn’t recommend her more highly.

We’ve had such a lovely experience with Cuddles through my niece and nephew. They absolutely love going and never stop talking about Miss Chloe!!<br><br>She’s kind, caring, and clearly makes the kids feel so happy and comfortable. It’s such a great feeling knowing they’re in such good hands.