Council’s Children and Family Centres at Bayswater and Wantirna South will open their doors this weekend for families to discover the services and facilities on offer.
The Open Day will give parents, carers and children the opportunity to explore the centres, which bring together long day care, kindergarten, maternal and child health and playgroups under one roof.
Families using these services describe the benefits their children have experienced and the strong bonds formed with council staff.
Sarah Green describes the Wantirna South centre as a “one-stop-shop” for her and twins, Harrison and Fletcher, aged four. They’ve attended maternal and child health nurse appointments, new parents group, playgroup, long day care and now kindergarten.
“By having everything in the same spot it meant that when they did start day care at the centre they were already familiar with the environment,” she says. “It also meant that I knew a lot of the staff, which made me feel really comfortable, especially as a new mum sending the kids to day care for the first time. I think it’s so important to feel comfortable with the people you’re leaving them with.
“The educators are phenomenal. The care that the boys get is really good. The educators take a genuine interest in all of the children and that to me is the big difference.”
Sophie Stanton searched long and hard to find childcare for son Robin before discovering Knox Children and Family Centre at Bayswater.
“We went on a tour and immediately loved it,” she says. “The first day, he was only meant to be there for two hours but he fell asleep and ended up being there all day because he was really instantly comfortable.
“He is a happier child on childcare days. He’s full of beans and so happy. Robin loves all the educators.
The centres promote a strong sense of inclusion, embedding recognition of First Nations culture and other cultural experiences into the children’s everyday activities and practices.
“Seeing how many different cultures are represented there, how welcome everyone is and how Robin, in particular, is being exposed to thoughtful consideration of all people and cultures and things is just wonderful,” says Sophie.
Charlotte Lorenz says her twins, Sophie and Frankie, aged three, flourished after being enrolled at the Wantirna South centre at 10 months old.
“I know, 100 per cent, if I didn’t have the support of the day care that developmentally my girls wouldn’t have flourished as they have,” she says.
“I love that it felt safe and secure and I love that the outdoor area went into everybody’s classroom so they could all access outside together and mingle with different age groups.”
Attend Open Day and experience the Knox Children and Family Centres for yourself
There will be experiences and activities for children to explore and plenty of staff on hand to answer your questions about the services on offer.
Saturday 7 October, 10am – 12pm
