Children’s Centre

Early childhood is a period of rapid and significant change, a vital period in children’s learning and development. In very profound ways – physiological, emotional, social and spiritual – the experiences lived in early childhood form the foundation for future vision, learning and participation in family and community life. The developing brain is most malleable and most sensitive to experience early in life. Children’s Centres for early childhood development and parenting are a collaborative early childhood initiative that brings together care, education, health, community development activities and services for families with young children.

Preschool Program

Our preschool program provides a sessional Department for Education-funded play curriculum. Government preschools have two major enrolment intakes each year, where children are eligible to access 4 terms of their full preschool entitlement (15 hours per week).​

Children who turn 4 before 1 May of that year are eligible to start from Term 1 (intake 1) of the same year.

Children who turn 4 between 1 May and 31 October of that year are eligible to start from Term 3 (intake 2) of the same year.

Children who turn 4 after the 31 October of that year are eligible to start from Term 1 (intake 1) the following year.​

Occasional Care Program

Our Occasional Care program caters for children up to 4 years of age. The Occasional Care program is integrated within the preschool program, providing a wide range of experiences designed to promote development through play.

Children’s Centre Integrated Services

Community Development

The Community Development Coordinator works to increase community capacity to support families to provide the best opportunities for every child.

The Community Development Coordinator also promotes partnerships across a broad range of local services and organisations and establishes interagency programs to meet the needs of the community.

Each term there is a Children’s Centre Community program that is wide-ranging. The program is published in Newsletters, on Facebook and via the Children’s Centre.

Occupational Therapy

Our Occupational Therapist offers workshops and programs on topics pertinent to child and family well-being.

Speech Pathology

Our Speech pathologist can support children and families in relation to a child’s communication skills (e.g. talking and understanding) play, feeding, and behaviour. This support can be provided through individual parent consultations, parenting groups, community programs, workshops and training. The types of programs and supports are flexible and families are encouraged to discuss their needs and interests with the community team so that the programs offered to suit the children and families of our community.

Children’s Centre Contacts

Ainslie Piantedosi – Director, Children’s CentreCherie Milmoe – Administration
Ella Romeo – Occupational TherapyChristie Button – Community Development
Brianna Nguyen – Speech Pathologist
Updated 29th September 2022

Feedback

If you have a concern about any aspect of the Children’s Centre please follow this link to our expectations page and follow the process outlined there.