Gowrie NSW Lithgow Early Education and Care Centre

becca

Aug, 2025

I was initially considering placing my own children aged 13 months and 3 yrs at this centre due to the positive website and... I was initially considering placing my own children aged 13 months and 3 yrs at this centre due to the positive website and information provided. However, after speaking with other mothers in our local sports group who currently have children enrolled, I changed my mind. This centre may appear professional and engaging based on its website and promotional material, but in practice, it falls short in areas that matter most: communication, transparency, and respect for children’s individuality. I strongly encourage any prospective parent to seek feedback from current families before enrolling. Families enrolled currently showed me the app used by the centre and the serious lack of information shared. They also highlighted that the service is not individualised to each child's developmental and emotional needs, documentation is mostly handwritten and shared inconsistently. The centre’s complaints process has serious flaws. Issues raised by families are often not addressed adequately or at all. The preference for verbal discussions over written records limits transparency and accountability. management are dismissive. The centre’s advertised use of a communication app is largely ineffective. Daily updates are rarely, if ever, provided .Educators rarely, if ever, respond to parent comments, requests, or concerns via the app, transition of rooms is not documented and is refused by the service to be documented. There is no clear or accessible record of each child’s daily routine. When documentation does exist, it is on paper and not easily available to parents particularly when the parents are separated. There is minimal to no information provided about a child’s learning milestones, interests, or significant moments throughout the day or week, there is no structured readiness for school program implemented or feedback related to if a child needs additional therapy to get them ready for school. Daily care appears generic, with limited attention to individual development or preferences Children are assigned to age-based rooms (e.g., N1 or N2) but are frequently grouped together during “family group times” in a single room, regardless of age or developmental stage. Children’s cultural and familial values are not acknowledged or respected. Children’s preferences and request for thier belongings are frequently disregarded. in the N1 N2 space, personal shoes are removed and replaced with shoes from a communal box, justified under hygiene/safety policies. water bottles are placed away from children and only offered at meal times or when a child verbalises they are thirsty. The organisation also justifies the removal of personal belongings (clothing shoes or comfort items) from children aged 12–36 months—who share space with non-mobile infants—on the grounds of hygiene. This approach disregards children’s autonomy and developmental appropriateness Injuries are poorly documented. Communication regarding incidents—particularly head injuries—is inconsistent and often delayed. Families may only receive email notifications, with no phone call or in-person discussion. The centre appears to suit families who do not have additional needs children, or a child aged 0-3 due to the lack of communication, individualisation and transparency and complaint management of the nursery spaces. Read more

Elizabeth Barnard

May, 2025

My grandchildren have all gone to gowrie Lithgow and all have special needs the educators have always gone above and beyond teaching educating... My grandchildren have all gone to gowrie Lithgow and all have special needs the educators have always gone above and beyond teaching educating showing them new experiences sensory play outdoor reading drawing cooking just so many different experiences for the grandchildren so grateful for all the wonderful educators and Julie the receptionist is so fantastic and helpful if I need to ask any questions .The meals are fantastic and I also learn along the way about implementing ideas at home Read more

Nicole Hodge

May, 2025

We've had a wonderful experience with Lithgow Gowrie! Our nursery-aged child attends three days a week, and the care and attention provided by... We've had a wonderful experience with Lithgow Gowrie! Our nursery-aged child attends three days a week, and the care and attention provided by the educators has been nothing short of exemplary. The team creates a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment that supports our child’s development beautifully. We’re especially impressed with how well the center aligns with Australian children’s growth and developmental standards—it’s clear that every activity is thoughtfully planned to promote learning through play. Communication with staff is always open and reassuring, and we truly feel like partners in our child’s early education journey. Highly recommend this centre to any family looking for professional, caring, and high-quality early childhood education. Special shout out to our daughter’s primary educator, Susie - Susie is kind, caring and bright every single day. Our daughter just beams when she sees her! 😃 Read more

becky boo

Nov, 2023

The front desk person is very rude sometimes sometimes they don’t even update you on the kids The front desk person is very rude sometimes sometimes they don’t even update you on the kids

Summar Hipworth

Aug, 2021

I researched all childcare options in the Lithgow region for my son and visited every centre before committing to Gowrie. Gowrie instantly stood... I researched all childcare options in the Lithgow region for my son and visited every centre before committing to Gowrie. Gowrie instantly stood out as a calm, well organised centre. From day one the educators showed my son kindness and have engaged and supported every stage of his development. He has formed a close bond with many of his carers that is truly heartwarming to watch. Their nurturing and structured learning environment has supported his love of music, increased his social skills and he's even learning sign language. I will always be grateful for the care the team have shown my son and will always recommend Gowrie Lithgow any chance I get. Read more

Josie Broadhead

Aug, 2020

We have our two children attend Gowrie lithgow and we are so very happy with the service given to both our kids. They... We have our two children attend Gowrie lithgow and we are so very happy with the service given to both our kids. They have excelled in the social, learning aspect and have made some special friendships and have connected with all the teachers. management and teachers are so welcoming and go over and beyond to make drop off a smooth transition. The learning opportunity the center provides is outstanding and I’m kept up to date with the day to day activities of my two kids, and I’m updated again when I pick up being told again about the day my child has had. For me when both of my kids non stop talk about they’re day at school with the happy smiles and stories from they’re day is a great way to know they are well looked after and they enjoy attending is just more then I can ever want. I highly recommend this center to anyone who ask me as it’s just fantastic and we feel apart of the Gowrie family. If your thinking of enrolling your children today then definitely book in a walk through tour with the lovely manager and you definitely won’t be disappointed. Read more

Samantha Lee

Jan, 2020

Recently I ended the enrolment of my two children, at first I was impress with the service but over the past few months... Recently I ended the enrolment of my two children, at first I was impress with the service but over the past few months I’ve noticed staff were very on edge and stressed. I could hear yelling coming from one of the rooms from a older educator. One of my children was enrolled in the preschool room and was very disappointed that they advertised that they had a preschool program but no Genuine preschool program was Implemented into the room. I felt that my child was isolated and that stuff had the favourite children and focus on them and not the other children in the room. I received very limited communicated from the educators regarding my child. Over the year I only received 3 observations and no follow up experiences for my child’s interest. Educators came across as not interested and non Genuine I would communicate with staff regarding my child’s interest but felt staff didn’t listen or follow up on my child’s interest. I was also a concern me to see 20 toddlers in one small room with 3 educators and I also noticed babies crying in the nursery and not being comfort one afternoon I noticed a infant crying for over 15 minutes. It was also very concerning to see that there were babies in the big kid room. This was a huge safety concern to me as i wouldn't want my baby getting injured , as well as not having the appropriate environment to be able to play with age appropriate toys. there were no staff engaging with children, they were all off doing their own thing cleaning or taking to each other. I also noticed a high staff member turn over I’m glad I’ve removed my children and placed them at another centre. Read more