\u201cThere\u2019s no silly or wrong question that a parent can ask when thinking of booking their children into childcare,\u201d says Thilini Herath, a Geelong mother of two.<\/p>\n
Her advice to families is to visit the centre you\u2019re considering so you can meet the room educators and leaders who will care for your child, and ask them questions.<\/p>\n
A qualified childcare educator, Thilini understands childcare and early learning centres from the inside. Her first consideration when working with children is their health and safety; her passion is engaging children with their learning and development.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy philosophy is to give children the best possible opportunity to learn through play while making them feel involved and cared for,\u201d she says. \u201cWe live in a diverse community, so I also make sure children feel that all cultures are recognised and respected.\u201d<\/p>\n
After joining Torquay YMCA Early Learning Centre and going on a tour of the Centre, Thilini decided to book her own eight-month-old daughter into the Centre.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great centre, very well organised,\u201d she says. \u201cI love the way they\u2019ve arranged the rooms.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thilini is part of the Centre\u2019s team of caring and professional educators who work in six rooms named after local Surf Coast beaches. Activities include computer coding, a huge interactive touchscreen, bushkinder, and community excursions. Children can choose to play indoors or outdoors, with big outdoor spaces containing a vegie garden, herb garden, chickens and a firepit.<\/p>\n
Adam Kavanagh, centre manager at Torquay YMCA Early Learning Centre, says the response from families who have toured the Centre has been very positive.<\/p>\n
\u201cFamilies have been really enthusiastic about the nature-inspired outdoor play area, which emphasises natural materials rather than plastic,\u201d he said. \u201cChildren will be encouraged to look after the garden. They\u2019ll gather eggs in the morning, take them to the kitchen, and eat them for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Centre officially opened on Monday 9 October. Its Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday 7 October attracted more than 100 people keen to see what the Centre offers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve just moved from Melbourne and we love Torquay\u2019s outdoor vibe,\u201d said local dad Luke, who visited with his family on open day. \u201cWe also love how the centre is so close to the school, it means one drop off.\u201d<\/p>\n
Families were impressed by the educators, describing them as \u201cwarm, friendly\u201d, \u201cengaged and caring\u201d. One visitor said she loved that children would have plenty of opportunities to use their imagination, for example in craft activities, and to play outside.<\/p>\n
\u201cFamilies who\u2019d like to tour the Centreare invited to contact me on 8371 0550 or at adam.kavanagh@ymca.org.au,\u201d says centre manager Adam. \u201cWe\u2019ll be happy to show you around and answer all your questions.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cThere\u2019s no silly or wrong question that a parent can ask when thinking of booking their children into childcare,\u201d says Thilini Herath, a Geelong mother of two. Her advice to families is to visit the centre you\u2019re considering so you can meet the room educators and leaders who will care for your child, and ask […]<\/p>\n