First Steps Learning Academy Old Toongabbie Centre 49 Fitzwilliam Road, Old Toongabbie, New South Wales 2146

"I would like to edit my review from a few months ago as there have been many changes in just a few months with the new management. As per my initial review below, some of the reasons I loved this centre was due my son's room leader, and the fact that the cook prepared delicious meals on-site. In just a few months there has been a huge staff turnover and Miss Lucky who we loved has left the centre. Not only that but the centre has now decided to move to pre prepared meals (without any consultation from the parents). The turn that this centre is taking is very disappointing. --------- My son joined FSLA back in March and we are very happy with this centre and the environment. I like that the toddler room is small with just a few children thus providing my son with a lot of attention. The educators are amazing - we love Miss Lucky and Miss Infanta in the toddler room. The outdoor area is great too with a bike track, sandpit, play kitchen etc. The cook does a great job - food is varied and yummy. We look forward to seeing photo/videos at the end of the day."

"My son started with First Steps Learning Academy when it was owned by Bountiful Home Early Childcare, after having a horrible first day at another childcare centre, the same day I checked out this centre and straight away I felt welcomed and the children and educators were interacting with my son, he was running around, playing and dancing having the best time and I knew I had to enrol him. The Educator's were all so understanding on my feelings as a new mum and how upset I was about the other centre he was enrolled in. I knew I made the right choose of Enrolling him into First Steps Learning Academy Old Toongabbie Centre. EVERYDAY!! my son runs to the front door with excitement to go to school! He love's Miss Lucky, Miss Infanta, Miss Gia, Miss Loren and the other lovely Educator's at First Steps Learning Academy Old Toongabbie Centre and love's all his friends and his best little mate! My son has thrived so much being a part of this centre and I am so happy to a part of the First Steps Learning Academy Old Toongabbie Centre Family!! Thank you ladies for all that you do to keep our children happy, safe and continue to love them like your own!"

"Fitzwilliam FSLA achieved a significant improvement since acquisition from Bountiful and the change of management. I have followed their centre's socials and have friends who bring their child here -and we have nothing but praise for the leadership that Lucky Ochotorena demonstrates to her team. As a mother and a teacher, I must say that the shortage of teachers across the board has made it difficult for all schools. However, the visibility of a leader and her hands-on intervention in the floor speaks volume of how the business puts the best interest of the children and their wellbeing above all. In this climate where shortages are experienced by many, permanent staff are still dedicated to come to work and do what they do best - making a safe and happy environment for all kids. FSLA Fitzwilliam not only thrives to put their best foot forward to plant the seeds for all the kids enrolled in this centre to be the better version of us (adults) in the future - they are also determined to work together to nurture all FSLA children of different abilities. I am amazed by the dedication and positive attitude of the educators here despite the social and environmental influences that pose threats. Keep up the good work!"

"I have followed this business from it’s humble beginning until its recent transformation. This centre has always been a gold standard for childcare. The staff and the owners have always cared for the children more than they should, they have always centred their approach to delivering priceless value for its main client, the children. I have actively promoted this childcare to friends and families because I have witnessed this centre’s core values and unmatched commitment to look after the children. I wish FSLA will continue to do what they do best and that is to look after our precious little ones by keeping them safe and keeping happy."

"Where do I start. I would just like to give some feedback regarding the child care centres since First Steps have have bought and taken over in the last couple of months. Please see our honest feedback below: 1. Children getting sick more often. My child was only sick every few months or so, now she is sick every week. At drop off and pick ups, 80% of the children are sick, with green infection around their noses, coughing all over the place. This centre is the most expensive in the area, so we expect a HIGH level of service which we are not getting anymore. Bountiful was known to clean all rooms, all toys with hospital grade disinfect on a daily basis to prevent any outbreaks from happening. This has gone down hill since First Steps has taken over with the amount of sick children daily and the amount of times my daughter has been sick lately. Never in 3 years was she ever this sick. 2. Staff. This is a big one and makes the centre. It is evident that the original staff are no longer happy and are always off sick. Probably looking for new jobs let’s be real here what a shame we are losing great staff. Are they being valued and treated the way they deserve? No. We have lost Tarsha who was a great asset to the company and we are all saddened that she has left. Not even a goodbye post or email was sent out after all her hard work, our children loved her. We feel like First Steps are hiring any one at this point, and losing valuable staff members. The staff members coming in compared to the ones coming out are on a different level. You have the ability to hire good educators so why hasn’t this happened? Please take a look at the new new educators , and then take a look at the patient living and caring educators like Tarsha, Loren, Lucky, Wendy, Reetu. We need quality educators and we are not getting this!!! Bountiful was KNOWN for their high standard of educators, we feel as though First Steps are hiring anyone at this point and do not care about the children or the environment of the centre. 3. Talking about environment, our children are UNHAPPY. The children at this centre are not happy any more. The children use to run in before we could even open the doors, and not even say goodbye to their parents as they were so excited for child care and the fun activities that were ahead, the loving and patient educators. Now it is the total opposite. Our children scream and cry every single day, every morning, as they do not want to attend child care any more and dislike it so much. It is hard knowing that they are having terrible days and we all feel guilty about this and hope every day things will change but it’s only getting worst. No one has he guts to talk because we don’t want our children treated any different. 4. Pets are gone. This was one of the main reasons a lot of us parents enrolled our children into this particular centre, for our children to learn about animals. We miss the chickens, rabbits, gineu pigs, birds and so on, this was great for our children as they could learn about the responsibilities of owning aninals, cleaning after them, feeding them, washing them and the list goes on. Our beloved pets of years are all gone and the centre feels empty. Probably at the pound. Who knows. I could keep going but I will stop as I hope you get the point. What was once was a beautiful home, is now a boring child centre that is going down hill day by day. Riddled with sick unhappy kids, boring activities, rude educators, loosing valuable caring staff members. The hygiene in the centres are disgusting and need to be cleaned daily, this includes wiping down individual toys, books, tables, chairs and so forth just like Bountiful did. First Steps - make a change or you will continue to loose more families as a lot of us are not happy. Shame that doesn’t matter to you as this isn’t a home anymore this is a business and even though families leave, more families will enrol due to the old reviews stating how great the centre is. Please fix this mess that has been created in 2 months."