Big Fat Smile uses FIT to enhance options for Bingara Gorge and Wilton families 

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider Big Fat Smile is enhancing the availability of Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) and Term Only Preschool (TOP) for families in Bingara Gorge and Wilton, in the Macarthur Region of Sydney, New South Wales. 

 Thanks to the support of the NSW Government’s Flexible Initiatives Trial (FIT), part of the NSW Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund,the provider will, from Term 2 2025, be able to offer  20 new spaces to meet the growing demand for education and care for 3–5-year-olds through its TOP classroom, as well as offering extended care hours for a limited number of Preschool children through existing long day care (LDC) and OSHC services. Flexible options for families The TOP classroom, which will be offered alongside the existing LDC and OSHC program, will run during NSW school terms only, giving families more choice around the type of service and the funding they wish to access; either Start Strong Funding which offers two free days of education for Preschool, or Child Care Subsidy within the long day care setting. The intention is families will be able to access both Start Strong and Child Care Subsidy (CCS), depending on their specific needs and preferences. This means families have the flexibility to choose the services that best suit their circumstances and can benefit from both funding sources to make early learning more affordable. “Regardless of the service offering they choose, all our rooms will be operating under the same National Curriculum,” Big Fat Smile CEO Kim Bertino explained.  “This ensures a consistent, high-quality educational experience for all children. Our goal is to ensure children are able to successfully transition to school and to instill in them a love for learning as we believe in nurturing lifelong learners. Our curriculum and teaching practices are designed to foster curiosity, creativity, and a passion for knowledge.” During the consultation phase families indicated that an integrated approach such as this one effectively responds to their needs.  “Families appreciate choice,” Mrs Bertino said.  “It's not about offering a different program but rather providing options that best suit their family. Some families prefer the flexibility of shorter hours and term-based arrangements, while others may need the LDC that operates over the full year.” “Our model of integrated service provision allows children to attend the Term Only Preschool, with the opportunity to extend their hours on a casual basis should the need arise. Having the OSHC in essence offers families a 'one-stop shop' for their child’s educational needs, just one drop-off and one pick-up,” she continued. 

 

“Not only is that more convenient for them, it also means we can be there for the child's development journey from birth to 12 years, continuity of education and care that is beneficial for the children but also provides parents with a sense of trust and reliability.” Grounded in growth Big Fat Smile's decision to focus on the Bingara Gorge and Wilton areas was primarily driven by the significant demand for services in those regions. 

 

“When we started this project, we had a waiting list with 112 children aged between 3-5 years old for two services in the area,” Mrs Bertino explained.

 

“Our research is also backed by the Victoria University and the Mitchell Institute’s study mapping deserts and oases in Australia. Data for the area indicated there are 0.46 early childhood education spaces for every one child seeking care. Meaning every second child could be missing out.” “As this is a growth area, we anticipate an ongoing demand and alongside this research, this indicates a pressing need to increase the number of preschool places. It is an ideal scenario as we have the ability to expand our Bingara Gorge service by offering 20 new places for children in a dedicated preschool room using existing infrastructure.” Despite the different offerings, Big Fat Smile applies the same rigorous planning cycle, maintaining the same ratio requirements and qualifications for staff, ensuring consistency in the delivery of programs. “We acknowledge and appreciate the NSW Government’s commitment to children and families through the provision of funding through the Flexible Initiatives Trial Fund,” Mrs Bertino said. 

 

To learn more about Big Fat Smile visit the website here. Information on the Flexible Initiatives Trial is available here. 

 

L-R - Kellie Gross, Executive Lead Children's Services. Kim Bertino, CEO. Natalie L Simmons, Artist and Managing Director of DENAT Group, Marina Harakakos, Executive Lead People and Learning, Jacinta Maddigan, Executive Lead of Programs and Partnerships.