As a first-time mum returning to work, choosing a daycare was a daunting decision. During my orientation, Miss Sammi was exceptional. She was enthusiastic about her job, nurturing towards the children, and made me feel completely at ease. My son was in her care from 5 months old and we had a great experience during that time. Unfortunately, things changed when my son moved up to the next age-appropriate room. The number of children compared to the educators didn’t seem adequate and I felt the children weren’t receiving the attention they needed. I found myself signing incident reports almost weekly. Once when I arrived for pick-up, my son was alone in the room while everyone else was outside on the playground. He would also often have sand in his nappy, socks and shoes when I picked him up. I understand daycare illnesses are inevitable, but my son contracting both COVID and herpes at the same time was extremely alarming. There were also many unfamiliar staff members coming and going, which made me concerned about consistency and care, especially with the amount of News around daycare negligence. On one occasion, a casual staff member even kissed my son on the cheek without my consent, which I found extremely inappropriate and upsetting. To the centre’s credit, the previous director immediately stood the staff member down and addressed the incident. The matter has since been reported and is still ongoing with the Children’s Department. This was my last draw which led me to remove my son from this centre. There were also ongoing issues with billing. I was often overcharged and the invoices rarely made sense. When I raised this, I was simply told that’s just how the fees worked.

Super poor management.

My daughter attended Mini Masterminds Padstow for eight months, and while the teachers themselves were lovely and caring, our overall experience was extremely disappointing due to ongoing issues with communication, management and transparency. There is a consistent lack of communication across the centre. Important information is rarely passed on, teachers are constantly in and out without any notice to parents, and on multiple occasions I arrived to find staff I had never seen before in my daughter’s room with no explanation. My daughter struggled with drop-offs almost every day, and nothing was done to support or communicate with us about this. Safety and incident communication were also major concerns. My daughter has fallen multiple times without anything being discussed with us. Most recently, she fell and hit her face, and when we asked the teacher what happened, she couldn’t tell us. I emailed management asking for an explanation and why no incident report was completed, and it has now been over a week with no reply at all. Management has been extremely difficult to deal with. They pick and choose which emails to respond to, often ignoring important queries entirely. I was even accused of owing money when our payments were completely up to date, no apology or correction was ever issued. Incentives advertised at enrolment were also misleading and not delivered as explained, and communication about these issues has been horrific. On top of this, my daughter has told me several times that she doesn’t eat there, despite the app consistently showing full servings eaten each day raising concerns about accuracy and transparency. Unfortunately, despite the lovely educators, the poor management, lack of communication, unaddressed safety concerns, and unreliable information made this a very stressful experience for our family. I would not recommend Mini Masterminds Padstow based on our experience.

The worst daycare ever. The leader is completely uncooperative and not kind at all. Before we enrolled, we told them that my daughter only sleeps with me, and they assured us that they wouldn't force her to sleep and that there would be an educator playing with the kids who don’t want to nap. But the moment we paid and registered, it was all lies. From the very first day, they put her in a dark room and left her crying the entire day, forcing her to sleep even though she didn’t want to. They would hold her down every time she tried to get up and forced her to stay. They were not helpful at all. I even told them at the very least not to make the room dark because she’s afraid of the dark, but it was pointless—they did nothing. Now my daughter is afraid to even leave the house or put on her shoes because of them. They caused her psychological trauma. They used to leave her alone crying for hours without any empathy, and they were insistent that she must sleep. I absolutely do not recommend this place to anyone. Comment to your reply : Of course, you will defend yourselves because all you care about is your own interest, not the children’s. What happened with my daughter was something very bad that I have never seen in any other childcare. I went to the leader several times and explained to her that my daughter has started to be scared of wearing her shoes and leaving the house because she is afraid to come to daycare. She never cared and was very arrogant in the way she dealt with me. One day, I come to the childcare and saw how they forced her to sleep while she was crying and didn’t want to sleep. This was despite the fact that before enrolling her, I had seen feedback from other parents saying that you force the children to sleep – and this is exactly what happened with us. Once we arrived around 11:30 and the leader told us to leave, because we don’t want our daughter to sleep even though we pay $170 a day. She said children would stay asleep with lights off from 11:00 and the light will remain off until last baby wake up estimated 3:30 and no activity left over, just to convince us to leave. This was a terrible experience, and many other parents share the same opinion on the Facebook local group.

Absolutely LOVE this centre! My middle child has been attending since the very first day they opened their doors, and the growth I’ve seen in him since then has been incredible. He has absolutely flourished and thrived in their care. Even though he can sometimes be the “difficult child,” the educators have always met him with patience, calmness, and understanding. They never make him feel like a problem; instead, they guide him through those challenging moments with empathy and support. Because of the time, effort, and encouragement they’ve put into him, I now feel completely at ease about him starting big school next year. I know he’s ready, and that’s thanks to the amazing foundation the educators have given him. My youngest started at the centre when she was just 9 months old, and the experience has been just as positive. From the very beginning, the educators went above and beyond to make sure she felt safe and settled. One of the things I appreciate most is how they listen to parents and respect each child’s individual needs. They take the time to learn the routine you follow at home and do their best to mirror that in the centre, making the transition so much smoother for little ones. My daughter hasn’t had day naps since she was two and a half, and that has never been an issue. The team has always adapted without fuss, ensuring she is happy and comfortable throughout the day. What really stands out is the consistency of care across the whole team. Every staff member I’ve met has shown such kindness, empathy, and genuine respect, not only for the children but also for the parents. It’s so reassuring to know your child is surrounded by people who truly care about their wellbeing and development. I honestly cannot fault this centre. The dedication, professionalism, and warmth of the educators is something really special. It’s not just childcare, it feels like a second family. My 'village'. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place and cannot recommend it enough!

Appart from the care of Ms Sammy (she is an angel) had an unpleasant experience. This center has great outdoor play area but don't be fooled by trusting your child is in good care. This center only cares about the money more than the needs and comfort of your child. I say this because from the moment you start the very next day the money gets taken and you start seeing all these hidden cost. I gave them the 4 weeks notice to terminate my sons care then they send an email saying if I don't attend last day they will also take full cost of the 4 weeks I didn't send him and it won't be covered by child care subsidy. Now why would I take him to attend the last day if I'm clearly not happy and don't have trust in you caring for my son how does that make sense. Why do I want to enter your center. Anything you tell them they hit you with "its center policy, it's center rules" my child likes milk in bottle.....well "it's policy" my child likes sleep in dark "well it's policy" stuff your policy the child's comfort and requirements are more importaint than your "rules" he ge T's transferred to another room roughly about 4 weeks in to a room with alot of kids. When I first entered with him I see 3 kids crying their eyes out looking at the front door one was standing next To the door no one comforting them or checking in on them. Just broke my heart seeing that. I get a hello from one of 3 carer but stays sitting on the rug as I'm standing clues as to what to do and my child unsettled. And when I went to picking him up I observed him from a far as the day care worker like always says "he had a great day" . I'm looking over and he has his head to the floor crying walking around on his own crying mummy milk mummy milk. I seen a few things and hear a few things tHat do not sit well with me and my child's comfort and happiness is imoprtaint. He was never happy being there. Have had to reach out Couple of times and got over reaching out about app updates and photos of my child. But This big chain day care like I said love the dollar and will milk your every cent. Other centers I been to take 2 weeks deposite they want 4 weeks. They threatened to take money if I don't attend last day after the 4 weeks notice is up. How in your right mind think that's fair. Overall do not recommend.

Mini masterminds padstow is the greatest daycare centre a child can attend ! As a mum of 2 when the time came for my children to go to daycare the option was clear from the beginning, At mini masterminds Padstow they offer everything a child (and a parent ) needs! They help guide children to thrive , within a clean, safe , friendly and family like environment! The staff offers constant reassurance ,the updates on the children’s days come regularly and even if you need extra information they are always a phone call away ! My children always come home happy and excited to tell me about their day

I couldn’t feel happier or rest-assured dropping my son off with the team at Padstow! The girls now feel like extended family and my beautiful boy has a whole bunch of new besties! As much as they are teaching and guiding him; They are extending their graces above and beyond to me as well, and couldn’t feel more supported being a first time mumma!