Childcare centre is ‘just like home’

By Melissa Donchi
YARRA Glen Childcare Centre is now providing before and after school care for young children.
Parents can drop their children off at the centre in the morning or at Yarra Glen Primary School after a school day.
Directors Clare Bowen, Robin Jones and Leanne Jonson see this as an added convenience for working families.
“Our childcare centre is located very close to the local primary school and now families with both school-aged and younger children are able to have them cared for at one place,” Ms Bowen said.
Yarra Glen Childcare Centre offers a ‘home away from home’ atmosphere for children.
Within some limits, children mix at all age levels and have less structured activities during the day to reflect the way they would interact, play and learn at home.
“The children are allowed to go out, get dirty, ride their bikes, read books, paint and do all the natural, healthy things kids do,” Ms Jones said.
“They are all together all day, they don’t have to sleep at set times, unless the parents request it or the child needs to, and they have all the activities available to them for the whole day.”
Open-aged care provides opportunities for siblings to remain together during the day, while an only child has the advantage of learning to care about and interact with children of other ages, and learn from older children, Ms Bowen said.
Among a number of practical features supporting the centre’s ‘just like home’ approach is the kitchen, which is located in full view of the children.
“The children can smell their food cooking and see what is happening in the same way they would at home,” Ms Bowen said.
Since its renovations more than two years ago, the centre can cater for 45 children and has a range of new and modern facilities.
The three directors invite people to drop in and have a look around and take the opportunity to compare.
The Yarra Glen Childcare Centre is at 43A Forest Street, Yarra Glen. Phone 9730 1442.