Piney Lakes Childcare

As a family-owned and operated childcare centre, we prioritise providing nutritious, well-balanced meals that promote healthy growth and development in every child. Families do not need to send their children with food, as all meals and snacks are cooked and prepared fresh every day in the centre kitchen.

We follow strict health guidelines to ensure that each meal is not only safe but also packed with the nutrients needed to support physical and cognitive growth. Our nutritious meal plans include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and other essential nutrients that fuel children’s energy, helping them stay active and focused during their early childhood education and play-based learning activities.

As a family-owned childcare centre, we believe in clear communication with families and transparency about the meals provided to their children. Parents are notified daily about what their child ate, including the servings they received, so you can be confident in the nutrition your child is receiving. Additionally, our healthy meal menu is proudly displayed in the centre for families to see and review the variety of nutritious meals served each day. Our healthy eating program is designed to instil positive eating habits from an early age, ensuring children develop a love for nutritious food. By providing these well-balanced meals, we support children’s ability to focus, engage, and thrive in their early childhood education journey.

Our Centre Cook, Miss Tara, carefully creates home-style food for the children each day. She interacts with the children and is very well known for making amazing child-friendly food. She does a fantastic job at helping the children feel at home, by openly cooking and preparing meals each day. it is a real treat to have Miss Tara on the team, as her love for cooking for children has flourished throughout her years at the centre. The children are always excited for what she has to prepare!

In addition to providing nutritious meals, we believe in the importance of physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise is integrated into our daily routine, from outdoor play to our weekly Happy Feet fitness program. These activities help children build strength, coordination, and motor skills while fostering a lifelong love for staying active. At Piney Lakes Childcare, we are dedicated to nurturing healthy children who are physically and mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. Our approach to health and nutrition is designed to give every child the best possible start in life, setting them up for a bright and successful future.

The team at Piney Lakes is made up of skilled educators who are passionate about early childhood education. With years of experience in teaching and care, our team members bring a deep understanding of how young children grow, learn and flourish. Each educator is committed to creating a warm, safe and engaging environment where children feel supported and encouraged to explore the world around them.

Piney Lakes is proudly owned and operated by teachers who understand the value of quality education from firsthand experience. With backgrounds in early childhood and primary education, our leadership is dedicated to maintaining high standards of teaching and care. This ensures that every decision made at Piney Lakes is informed by a genuine understanding of what is best for children, families and educators alike.

We are a diverse team, and we see this as one of our greatest strengths. Coming from a range of cultural and professional backgrounds, we celebrate inclusivity and respect for all cultures. This diversity helps us build strong connections with families and fosters an environment where every child feels seen, heard and valued. We believe that by embracing different perspectives, we can better support the unique identity and learning journey of each child.

Our approach to learning is grounded in play and guided by the Early Years Learning Framework. We believe that children learn best when they are actively engaged, curious and having fun. Through intentional play-based experiences, we support children’s development across all areas—social, emotional, physical and cognitive. At Piney Lakes, play is not just an activity; it is a powerful tool for learning and a cornerstone of lifelong development.

At Piney Lakes Childcare, we prioritise active communication every day to foster strong, trusting relationships between educators, children, and families. Our team is dedicated to maintaining open lines of communication, whether through face-to-face conversations during drop-off and pick-up, phone calls, or digital updates. We believe that ongoing, meaningful communication helps create a sense of belonging for children and ensures families feel connected and informed about their child’s experience.

To do this, we use working documents on the centre floor to make sure that all children's individualised time with an educator is monitored. This allows us to know that each child has received at least 10 minutes of individual educator time per day. This is documented, and communication is sent to parents in both a daily report (outlining learning intentions and the days activities) and a weekly overview (usually personalised stories for each individual child). These are also accompinied by plenty of photos, so that you are well informed of their learning journey.

Each day, our educators complete detailed daily progress reports and room reports, in line with the National Quality Standard (NQS) and the ACECQA guidelines. These reports cover everything from children’s learning experiences and social interactions to meals, rest times, and toileting routines. By documenting each child’s progress in a consistent and structured way, we ensure their development is monitored closely, and any specific needs or concerns are promptly addressed.

Celebrating children’s successes is at the heart of our communication approach. We make a point of sharing positive moments with families—whether a child has reached a new developmental milestone, demonstrated kindness, or simply had a joyful day. These celebrations help build a strong sense of achievement for the child and encourage continued engagement from families in their child’s learning journey.