Working parents will be happy to learn that Waratah Cottage, a new early learning centre, will open on campus later this year.

Nicole Gower, Vice-President, People and Services, and Chair of the U@MQ Board, says this is a positive outcome for staff.

“There is high demand for additional early learning places on campus so I’m excited that the new Waratah Cottage will be able to provide these. As a working parent myself, I know the value of having access to high quality childcare, knowing our children are receiving excellent care right here on campus,” she says.

Managed by Campus Life (U@MQ), Waratah Cottage will offer:

Long day care for children aged 0-5 years
Open 7:30am-6:30pm, Monday to Friday

Casual care for children aged 0-5 years
Open 7:45am-5:15pm Monday to Friday during school terms. Care options include: 2 hours, half-day morning or afternoon, and full-day

Vacation care for children aged 5-12 years
Open 7:30am-6:30pm, Monday to Friday during school holidays

Undergoing a full refurbishment, the current Vacation Care building will be transformed into Waratah Cottage. It will provide the same high-quality care and education that the children and families at Gumnut and Banksia already experience, plus a new option for casual care.

Robyn Payne, Vice-President, Finance and Resources and a U@MQ Board Member, says “I’m so pleased that the new Waratah Cottage will give families more choice, especially with the introduction of flexible casual bookings, which will really support staff who may not need to use care on a regular basis.”

The current waiting list for Gumnut and Banksia will be expanded to include Waratah so all families already on the waiting list for Banksia and Gumnut Cottages will automatically be on the long day care waiting list for Waratah. Families not already on the list are encouraged to register at no cost via this MyWaitList link. As with Banksia and Gumnut, Macquarie University Staff (including Macquarie University Hospital staff) receive priority for places at Waratah.

More information will be provided about the opening date, centre tours, and casual care booking process closer to opening.

Please contact childrensservices@mq.edu.au with any questions or for more information regarding Waratah.