As new parents we were debating the idea of sending our kids to pre school or not.<br><br>I went and looked at 5 different daycares as we were not in a rush. Of the 5 this was the standout after meeting all the staff. I went through their program with them as the development of our child was also a high priority. Let me say this was the cherry on top and made sense with the quality of staff.<br><br>Our child has been here for 8 months now and I can’t speak highly enough of the care and professionalism they show.<br><br>A big shout out to Miss EJ and Miss Shannon as they have given us so much confidence with the decision we made !

Incident in 2025 – Edited for Accuracy<br><br>I personally witnessed an educator drag my toddler by the arm away from a door. I was shocked by what I saw. I cannot recall seeing a child handled this way outside of situations involving a very frustrated adult. What made the situation even more concerning was that the educator was also carrying a baby at the time, raising safety concerns for both children.<br><br>There was no apparent need to pull or drag another child by the arm. A child can be gently and calmly prompted to move, particularly if they are already crying or distressed. The educator had always appeared very sweet on the surface, which made what I witnessed particularly surprising. It was a very different experience from the behaviour I had previously observed.<br><br>During the second week, at pickup, I gently tried to understand what might have happened by asking my child about his experience. As he could only speak a few words at the time, he attempted to communicate by pointing to and pinching his own finger. I also sought advice from other educators we knew, asking whether carrying or handling a child in this manner was appropriate. Their response was a clear no.<br><br>What disappointed me was the lack of reassurance or comfort offered in response to my concerns. Instead, the response felt defensive.<br><br>Correction regarding staffing and CCTV:<br><br>On the day in question, between approximately 10:00 am and 11:15 am, there were only two educators present in my child’s toddler room, which had eight children. The other three educators were not present during those hours.<br><br>I requested access to CCTV footage so that the incident involving the educator pulling my child away from the door could be properly assessed, but my request was refused. The incident occurred in a public hallway between the play area and the eating area. I questioned why there was no available footage of this common area that could help clarify what had happened.<br><br>I believe an established childcare centre should take concerns of this nature seriously and conduct a thorough investigation, including reviewing any available evidence.<br><br>Clarification regarding the timeline of my complaint:<br><br>I did not wait three weeks to raise my concerns. I brought them forward after just three sessions because I wanted to observe the situation further and give the centre the benefit of the doubt before reaching any conclusions.<br><br>However, I would not dismiss my child’s attempts to communicate that something was wrong. When we later returned to collect his belongings, he began crying and saying, “Noooo” as we approached the building.<br><br>Additional concerns about staffing and supervision:<br><br>I also observed situations that raised concerns about staffing and supervision. Educators appeared to be involved in preparing the children’s lunches in the kitchen while children remained in the classroom. On one occasion, I saw the main educator in the kitchen while only one educator remained in a room with approximately six to eight children under the age of six.<br><br>I cannot comment on whether these arrangements complied with the centre’s policies or applicable regulations, but they raised questions for me about adequate supervision and whether educators were able to give the children the attention and care they needed.<br><br>Outcome and investigation:<br><br>The matter was investigated by child services. Unfortunately, there was no CCTV footage or independent witness available to corroborate what I had personally observed. I was, however, reassured that the case had been reported and that any further reports from other parents could help bring the matter back to the attention of the relevant authorities.<br><br>As a parent, my priority was, and remains, my child’s safety and wellbeing. I raised these concerns because I believed they deserved to be taken seriously, properly assessed, and addressed transparently. No parent should feel that their concerns about their child’s treatment are being dismissed or that they must choose between trusting their instincts and giving a childcare centre the benefit of the doubt.

We’ve had a wonderful experience with Dashing Ducks, especially with the teachers’ support throughout our daughter’s recent toilet training journey.<br><br>After the winter break, the teachers did a fantastic job picking up and continuing her toilet training. They have been incredibly patient, supportive and effective, providing us with practical advice and guidance that has made such a positive difference.<br><br>We’re so happy to see how confident and independent our daughter has become! She has also developed excellent handwashing habits and follows all the correct steps so thoroughly. It’s lovely to see her building these important life skills with such confidence.<br><br>A big thank you to the wonderful teachers at Dashing Ducks for their patience, encouragement and dedication. We truly appreciate all your support and couldn’t be happier with the progress she has made!

The amount of care the educators at Dashing Ducks put into the children is honestly second to none. I was really hesitant about putting Gino into preschool, but Amie, Shania and the rest of the team made our whole family feel welcome from day one.<br>Being a family-owned childcare centre, it feels so much more personal. The smaller class sizes mean Gino is genuinely known and gets the individual attention he needs. I feel so at ease knowing he is safe, respected and cared for, while learning so many amazing things through their preschool program.<br>The team made the transition into childcare much easier than I expected, and Gino is so happy there. I couldn’t recommend Dashing Ducks highly enough.

Selecting a good child care was one of the biggest challenges we had initially, but when we found Dashing Ducks Pre school in Castle Hill, we couldn’t be happier enough! We know we found the best place for our child !!!. The center is incredibly clean, safe, and beautifully designed for kids. My child absolutely loves going here every single day and genuinely never wants to miss it. The educators go above and beyond by providing diverse and highly engaging activities that keep their minds and bodies active. Seeing how happy and excited my child is to attend gives me so much peace of mind!"

We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Dashing Ducks Castle Hill. From the moment we walked through the doors, we felt welcomed and reassured by the caring, friendly, and professional team.<br><br>The educators genuinely take the time to get to know each child, creating a warm, nurturing environment where children feel safe, happy, and excited to learn.<br><br>Our children absolutely love attending and never want to leave at the end of the day, which says everything about how much they enjoy being there.<br><br>The communication with families is outstanding, and it’s wonderful receiving regular updates and seeing all the engaging activities our children enjoy each day.<br><br>The centre itself is exceptionally clean, with fantastic indoor and outdoor learning spaces. The educational programs are creative and engaging, and it’s clear that every child is encouraged to grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity.<br><br>A huge thank you to the entire team for the love, dedication, and care you show our children every day. We highly recommend Dashing Ducks Castle Hill to any family looking for an exceptional early learning centre. It’s truly a home away from home for our children!<br><br>Claudia and Joshua 🤍

Our children (1 year old and 4 years old) both attend Dashing Ducks, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. The staff are incredibly friendly, warm, and welcoming, and they genuinely care about each child's wellbeing and development.<br><br>Both of our kids absolutely love going there every day, which gives us great peace of mind as parents. The educators create a nurturing and positive environment where children feel safe, happy, and engaged.<br><br>We are especially impressed by the thoughtfully planned activities, which are always age-appropriate, creative, and designed to support learning and development. It's wonderful to see how much our children enjoy participating and how much they learn along the way.<br><br>The centre itself is well-maintained, clean, and equipped with excellent facilities that provide children with plenty of opportunities to learn, play, and explore in a safe environment.<br><br>We are very grateful to the entire team at Dashing Ducks for the care, dedication, and enthusiasm they bring every day. Thank you for making our children's early years so special.

We've had our toddler at Dashing Ducks Castle Hill, for about 6 months now and we're very happy we moved him to this centre. The Carers are kind and bubbly and always happy to see the children arrive. Our little one has settled in so well. We have no hesitation in recommending this centre.

Glad that we've found Dashing Ducks for our daughter. From the beginning, the educators have been warm, patient and supportive, which helped her settle in and feel secure. It gives us so much peace of mind knowing she is cared for by people who genuinely understand and nurture the children. We’ve noticed her picking up little things like using kind words and being gentle with others, which is so lovely to see 🤍. We love seeing the activities, learning experiences and daily updates. Our daughter has grown in confidence and enjoys going to daycare, which means a lot to us as parents. Thank you to the wonderful team for creating such a caring and positive environment.

Dashing Ducks is a child focused daycare centre where the educators really know the children & truly practise their philosophy of love & care for each child. The centre has a warm & friendly atmosphere & I confidently leave my child knowing he will receive excellent care. The themed activities prepared for the children are well organised & appropriate for each age group. Communication between staff & parents is clear & consistent, with many opportunities for parents to engage with their child’s learning developments. The days are well planned providing security & routines for little ones. My child has taken to Dashing Ducks like “a duck to water”. I am delighted that we found this lovely early education centre for him.