Koala Childcare & Early Learning - Warrnambool

• Local community visitors and excursions

• School readiness program

At Koala Childcare & Early Learning Warrnambool, the educators believe that each child is on their own unique journey that shapes the person they are and who they will become. Just like chapters in a book, they understand that each child steps through their ‘story’ at their own pace and in their own time.

The team believes that learning is a lifelong journey and that early childhood education and care provides the foundation for learning for life. Children make sense of the world around them through the use of processes such as exploration, collaboration and problem solving across all aspects of the curriculum. They develop dispositions such as curiosity, persistence and creativity and use play to investigate, imagine and explore ideas, follow and extend their own interests.

The educators are key to supporting children on their journey and believe that relationships with families and community are essential for supporting children to be global citizens and helping them to reach their potential.

Over the next 12 months, the centre is committed to grow as a service and as a team, building relationships, not just with the families who use the service but also with the greater community.

One of my favorite parts of my role is our engagement with the local community. It's a great feeling to feel that we are able to contribute back in any way to some of the local causes and charities. This year through our Christmas bake sale, we were able to donate over $800 to food share Warrnambool and MacKillop Family Services to spend on food and toys for families in need. This was a definite highlight of the year for me.

Gill Marsden, Service Manager, Koala Childcare & Early Learning Warrnambool