OUR DAY

At Bowral Street Childcare we put your child’s welfare and wellbeing first with our specially designed routine that guides our days and ensures a well-rounded, inclusive routine. Our daily routine has a balanced mix of indoor and outdoor play, structured learning time, music, and movement so your children are truly immersed in a diverse and well-balanced day of learning. This also allows for the children’s meals to be spread out nicely throughout the day and that children are given sufficient time to rest and recharge. It also allows ample time for handwashing, nappy changes, sunscreen application, cleaning tasks, and other essential parts of the day. We want you to know that your children are our first priority!

Our Koalas (aged 2 to 3 years) have a routine focused on play-based learning, in line with our understanding that brain development occurs through play. We also introduce your children in this age category to self help skills, such as plate clearing after lunch and being responsible for their own items such as hats and shoes. Our Koalas usually have a longer sleep time than the older children, and we also support your children’s toilet training, before their transition to the Echidna Room with the older children.

Our Echidnas (aged 3 to 4 years) also have a routine focused on play-based learning. We also introduce your children in this age category to self help skills, such as plate clearing after lunch and being responsible for their own items such as hats and shoes. We encourage rest and relaxation, where we do quiet reading and meditation during this time.

Our Kangaroos (aged 4 to 6) still enjoy plenty of play and discovery, and in the Kangaroo Room we build upon your children’s learning and self help skills in preparation for Big School. All of our Kangaroos enjoy a wide range of age appropriate learning and interactions, and each day we do a School Readiness Program for children who start school the following year. We still make sure that our Kangaroos have enough rest time during the day and this can mean that those who want to take a nap are encouraged to do so while the other kids enjoy some meditation time and other quiet activities.

OUR MENU

All of the childrens’ meals are provided at Bowral Street Childcare, including morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and a late afternoon snack. We use a boutique food service specialising in menu planning for the Early years and providing fresh, nutritionally-balanced childcare meals.

 We value quality produce, with a goal to bring home style cooking to childcare. It is vital for children to enjoy a well-balanced, nutrient-filled diet for their overall health, growth and development. Our menu has been designed to perfectly meet health standards and regulations whilst introducing children to different cuisines, flavours and textures to develop a healthy relationship with food. We base our menu planning on three key national health documents; The Australian Dietary Guidelines, The Infant Feeding Guidelines and Munch and Move.

• All meals are varied and tasty served on a four-week rotating schedule, and are designed in line with national dietary requirements. 
• If your child has any special dietary requirements we can cater to these too; we can provide dairy free, gluten free and vegetarian options, among others that are still healthy and delicious (according to the seasons).
• None of our meals contain nuts.
• All meals are served on a plate, with cutlery when appropriate and we encourage and support children to clear their plates when finished, as part of our focus on self help skill development.
• The exception to this is lunchbox week which is a part of our School Readiness Program.