Jenny's Early Learning Centre Bendigo Hospital

The philosophy that drives Jenny’s Early Learning Centre Bendigo Hospital is that learning is a part of the fun.  Children are encouraged to explore their own interests while they learn.

The key values are as follows:

1) Educators 

Consistency of care is paramount, and priority is given to nurturing the relationships between educators and children. Some of the passionate educators have been with the centre since they opened. Educators help children develop the skills of independence, confidence, responsibility and connection with others.

2) Community 

Local relationships are a key focus for Jenny’s Early Learning Centre Bendigo Hospital, from primary schools, aged care facilities and suppliers for the kitchen. The centre sees these connections as a way to facilitate a sense of belonging and identity for the children, as well as being a way to develop their social skills.

3) Children 

A child is broadly connected to their family, community, culture and place, with the interactions between each providing a sense of self. Children develop and learn through these connections, with family being the first and most influential educators. The centre understands that children learn through play and that they find their own sense of identity and understanding of the world at their own pace.

4) Families

To ensure the best possible outcomes for children, Jenny’s Early Learning Centre Bendigo Hospital believes that families and educators need to be working closely together. The educators welcome input from families to help guide the curriculum based on each child’s interests and family heritage. The centre is a welcoming and respectful environment, which teaches children how to work with others and to value their own independence.

Children are cared for, nurtured and kept safe, while also being challenged to find new ways to learn. The centre’s program is based on their ‘Play – Explore – Learn’ philosophy, which helps children feel challenged and engaged with learning.

PLAY

• Gross motor skills program: organised physical activities such as ball games, parachutes, running, jumping, and other activities that help develop coordination.
• Self-directed play: helps children form friendships, develop imagination and try out new ideas. The centre is filled with natural light, and the indoor and outdoor spaces are open for exploration.
• Two outdoor play spaces: all designed to suit each age group. Children can get their hands dirty in the veggie patch, swing on the tree swing, ride scooters, and play imaginary games with their friends.
• Centre pets: children can help care for and play with the animals at the centre, including guinea pigs, chickens, rabbits and birds.

EXPLORE

• Regular excursions: the children visit the local botanic gardens, Rosalind Park, Bendigo Pottery, Chinese Museum, Bendigo Health, Pepper Green Farm, art galleries, theatres and more. 
• Local primary school connections: a partnership with the local primary schools assists with the transition to school. Children visit the school, and also the school’s teachers come to the centre for talks and events.
• Vegetable garden, fruit trees and sensory garden: children are encouraged to get involved with planting seeds and seedlings, tending to the plants, and helping to pick them for the centre chef to use. They also learn about water conservation and sustainability.
• Bush Kinder: the children are taken to local bushland to learn and play in the great outdoors, build dens, collect sticks, climb trees and enjoy the freedom.

LEARN 

• Quirky Tales: an interactive storytelling program, which involves singing, dancing, stories, sign language and lots of fun
• Technology: children can explore new ideas, problem solve, and work together to find solutions. Some of the technology offered includes computers and iPads, educational apps and games to develop literacy and numeracy skills, as well as digital cameras.  
• Cooking experiences: the children learn all about healthy eating by cooking from scratch with the in-house chef. Get your apron on, it’s time to get cooking!

Jenny’s Early Learning Centre Bendigo Hospital supports local business by sourcing their ingredients from suppliers in the area, using organic produce where possible.

The in-house chef uses the local produce to create high quality meals and snacks for the children, taking into account any food intolerances, allergies or cultural considerations. Menus are prepared in conjunction with the centre’s own paediatric dietician.

The centre has a ‘seed to plate’ program where children are given the chance to help with planting and harvesting produce from the veggie garden and fruit trees.  The fruits, vegetables and herbs are then used by the chef to create the food for the centre. 

Two of the children’s favourite hot lunches are the Moroccan lamb meatballs with vegetable couscous; and Greek lamb and roasted vegetable pizza. For their snacks, the children’s favourites are the buckwheat and eggplant baguette; or the coriander and garlic naan bread.

We love Jenny’s because we get to be part of the family and all our children have come through Jenny’s.

Chloe, parent

Jenny’s is our family and we love what they learn and how they get out in the community.

Stacey, parent

We love the natural yard, the deck with a big oak tree centred in the middle and the flexibility for the children to explore the whole centre as a family!

Sharon, parent

When you walk towards our centre you feel welcome and at home as you enter into a heritage building which then leads to a newer section which is inspired to keep things natural.

You feel part of a family as you walk into the rooms and see the bi-fold doors open out onto a deck which has an oak tree featured in the middle of the deck!

Our goal for our children is to learn through play, explore and challenge each other to learn new skills.

The children have the opportunity to explore and move between the rooms and yards freely, while building relationships with a range of children, and exploring our natural environment both indoors and out.

We have long lasting relationships with the Bendigo community which children get to explore and learn about through visiting places which allows them to experience a higher level of education and extend their current interests.

Susan Humbert, Centre Director, Jenny’s Early Learning Centre Bendigo Hospital

I love the children and their quirky conservations and responses.

Vanessa, Educator

I love how it is a natural environment and the beautiful gardens.

Eliza, Educator 

A great place to work.

Larni, Educator

I love working at Jenny’s because it's like a big community.

Emily, Educator