Council’s Children and Family Centres at Bayswater and Wantirna South will open their doors this weekend for families to discover the services and facilities on offer.
The Open Day will give parents, carers and children the opportunity to explore the centres, which bring together long day care, kindergarten, maternal and child health and playgroups under one roof.
Families using these services describe the benefits their children have experienced and the strong bonds formed with council staff.
Local resident Sarah Green describes the Wantirna South centre as a “one-stop-shop” for her and twins, Harrison and Fletcher, aged four.
“They’ve attended maternal and child health nurse appointments, new parents group, playgroup, long day care and now kindergarten.
“By having everything in the same spot it meant that when they did start day care at the centre they were already familiar with the environment.
“It also meant that I knew a lot of the staff, which made me feel really comfortable, especially as a new mum sending the kids to day care for the first time,” she said.
For Ms Green it’s so important to feel comfortable with the people you’re leaving them with.
“The educators are phenomenal.
“The care that the boys get is really good.
“The educators take a genuine interest in all of the children and that to me is the big difference,” she said.
Another resident, Sophie Stanton, said she searched long and hard to find childcare for son Robin before discovering Knox Children and Family Centre at Bayswater.
“We went on a tour and immediately loved it.
“The first day, he was only meant to be there for two hours but he fell asleep and ended up being there all day because he was really instantly comfortable.
“He is a happier child on childcare days.
He’s full of beans and so happy. Robin loves all the educators,” she said.
The centres promote a strong sense of inclusion, embedding recognition of First Nations culture and other cultural experiences into the children’s everyday activities and practices.
Ms Green said seeing how many different cultures are represented there, how welcome everyone is and how Robin, in particular, is being exposed to thoughtful consideration of all people and cultures and things is just wonderful.
Locals can attend an Open Day and experience the Knox Children and Family Centres this weekend.
There will be experiences and activities for children to explore and plenty of staff on hand to answer your questions about the services on offer.
The centres will be open on Saturday 7 October, from 10am – 12pm at 41 Phyllis Street, Bayswater and at 81 Argyle Way, Wantirna South.
For more information visit knox.vic.gov.au/kcfc
