I am a parent at Rise & Shine Kindergarten and wish to remain anonymous. Unfortunately, my experience in centre has been very disappointing due to ongoing issues with communication, transparency, and record accuracy. There were multiple instances where information recorded on the app did not match what actually occurred and now with paper formats as they are not live updates they can make up anything. A facial injury was reported several hours after it happened, which was very concerning and the incident form was not even completed correctly, also experienced dismissive and confrontational communication from staff members and management (including the head office) when raising reasonable questions, which has made us feel uncomfortable to take my child here. It’s more of a stay here and deal with it and they will not be making any changes or you are free to leave. There were additional concerns around inconsistent care routines, belongings frequently not being packed properly, and a lack of collaborative communication regarding our child’s development. There is a lot of favouritism with the children and do not want to deal with children who need emotional support. There is so much arrogance with the staff members here as well and do not own up to their mistakes or even ignore any instructions you provide for the child. Anyone wanting to enrol their child here, I would recommend to avoid at all costs! The overall experience in the room did not reflect the level of professionalism, transparency, and respect that parents should expect. I hope management takes this feedback seriously and works toward improving communication and accountability for families.

This childcare was once a place we felt confident recommending but that has unfortunately changed. As a current family at the centre, I can confirm the experience described in the most recent review. While most of the educators are caring and the centre has good facilities, our experience with centre management has been extremely disappointing. Recently, almost all daily app updates were removed with minimal notice and no genuine consultation, despite families relying on this information for reassurance and planning. When concerns were raised collectively by multiple parents, the response was dismissive, with families effectively told: “If you don’t like it, feel free to leave.” Live app updates were replaced with photos of handwritten notes posted once late in the day, which are often difficult to read and of limited value. Children’s meal and sleep information is also displayed in shared formats visible to other families, which as a family valuing our privacy we find very intrusive. Management claims that these new policies are designed to bolster engagement and safety, yet we have seen no evidence to support this. Far from feeling safer, we’ve noticed that staffing levels seem thin, and the frequency of accidents and illnesses seems to have increased recently. This downward trend, coupled with the lack of transparency, has made it very difficult to maintain confidence in how the centre is being run. It is difficult to justify paying top-tier rates for a service that has undergone such a clear decline in quality and transparency. The dismissive attitude toward concerned parents is also a major red flag. New families should think twice about whether this level of responsiveness aligns with what they expect from a childcare provider.

We do not recommend Rise & Shine. Despite charging increasingly premium fees, the service has steadily declined. Daily photo journals a key way parents stayed connected to their children have been removed, weekly updates often don't include individual children, and uploaded paper charts are frequently blurry and unreadable. Management claims these changes improve safety and reduce incidents. From a parent perspective, this does not align with what we are seeing. Since services were cut and staffing appears stretched, incidents have increased, and reassurance for families has significantly worsened. Rather than hiring adequate staff to maintain both care and communication, essential services that connect children with their families have been removed while fees continue to rise. When concerns were raised collectively by many parents, the response felt dismissive, effectively suggesting families should leave if unhappy. Premium pricing with reduced transparency, reduced communication, and a "take it or leave it" attitude is unacceptable in childcare. Prospective families should think carefully before enrolling. Everwhere else is cheaper and provide much more services.

We absolutely love this centre! Every educator knows our kids’ names (and ours), and we’re always greeted with a warm smile and a genuine hello. You can tell the educators all communicate really well, when we mention something to one, the others already seem to know and check in with us. It’s such a caring, supportive environment, and our children are so happy there. We honestly couldn’t recommend this centre enough!

Rise and Shine Kogarah has been an absolute blessing for our family. From the very first day, the educators created a warm, safe, and genuinely nurturing environment for both of my boys. Their dedication to each child’s emotional, social, and educational growth is evident in everything they do. The staff are incredibly attentive and compassionate, always taking the time to understand and support each child’s individual needs. My boys have built strong, positive relationships with their teachers and peers, and their confidence, curiosity, and love for learning have blossomed since attending. The daily activities are thoughtfully planned and engaging, and I’m constantly impressed by the centre’s focus on both developmental milestones and emotional wellbeing. It’s a place where I truly feel at ease leaving my children, knowing they are not only safe but also genuinely cared for. Thank you to the entire Rise and Shine Kogarah team for creating such a supportive space where my boys continue to grow and shine every day. Highly recommended for any parent seeking quality early education and care.

Rise & Shine Kogarah is the best centre. Director Dora is amazing and the educators are lovely. Highly recommend to everyone.

Love Rise & Shine so much. It’s our second home filled with fun, happiness and laughter. The educators are simply the best ❤️ couldn’t be happier!