Availability & Hours
Monday to Friday: 7:00 am – 5:30 pm
Before/After School Care: 1.5 hours before and 2 hours after school 
School Holiday Program
​CCS Available 

​🌞 A Day at Wonder Tree
Every day at Wonder Tree is a mix of play, creativity, and connection. While no two days are ever the same, here are some of the ways children learn, explore, and grow:

• Morning Discovery: Children arrive and settle in with quiet play, story reading, or caring for Charlie the cavoodle. Some may water the garden while others draw what they see in nature.
• Creative Studio Time: In our art program, children paint, sculpt, or work with loose parts. For example, a child’s idea of “building a rocket” might lead to a group construction using recycled boxes, tape, and paint.
• Nature & Animal Encounters: Daily time outdoors includes bug hunts, collecting leaves, or feeding our animals. These moments spark conversations about science, caring, and responsibility.
• Cooking & Gardening: Together, we might pick fresh vegetables and explore taste, structure, or temperature of the food.
• Community & Outings: In our regular weekly plan we go for walks, play in the park, visit close grocery shop and buy some food for morning tea, or visit library, playgroups and help children feel connected to their community.
• In our monthly plan we visit ZOO, Museums, galleries or anything that is in children's interest. 
• Rest & Mindfulness: After lunch, children enjoy rest or quiet mindfulness time – listening to calming music, reading, sleeping or simply relaxing.
• Afternoon Exploration: Play continues with block building, dramatic play, or small-world setups. A child’s story about a zoo might inspire a group to create an “Animal City” with figurines, drawings, and signs.
• Reflection & Sharing: At the end of the day, children share what they’ve discovered or created. Families hear these highlights during handover and through photos or stories.

 
 
✨ At Wonder Tree, every day is shaped by children’s voices and imaginations. Their small ideas grow into projects, friendships, and big discoveries.
 

​💬 My Philosophy
As both a mother and an educator, I understand the importance of finding a place where children feel safe, respected, and truly seen. At The Wonder Tree, children are valued as individuals with their own unique strengths, interests, and learning styles. My role is to honour that individuality, while guiding them through a program that nurtures their creativity, curiosity, and confidence.
At Wonder Tree, we believe that children are more than learners – they are explorers, creators, and thinkers whose voices matter. Our guiding principle, “Where Small Voices Grow Big Ideas,” means that children’s thoughts, questions, and stories are the seeds of our curriculum.
Children’s voices drive our projects: Whether it begins with a question about a bug in the garden or a drawing of an imagined city, their ideas shape what we explore together.
Curiosity transforms into learning: Play-based provocations, art explorations, and nature encounters become opportunities for children to test theories, build confidence, and express themselves in a hundred different ways.
Relationships are the foundation: Trust, respect, and belonging allow children to take risks, make choices, and grow into capable, confident learners.
Creativity and imagination are central. Our dedicated art studio, along with loose parts and natural materials, encourages children to think symbolically, solve problems, and express their individuality.
A sense of place and connection: Through interactions with animals, gardens, and community engagement, children learn that they are part of something bigger – caring for themselves, one another, and the world around them.
Inspired by Froebel’s belief that play is the highest form of learning and the Reggio Emilia approach to the competent child, we integrate these perspectives with the EYLF principles of Belonging, Being, and Becoming.
 
 
But what makes Wonder Tree different is our unwavering commitment to listening to children’s voices and transforming them into shared learning journeys.
Here, small voices don’t just get heard – they grow into big ideas that shape the way we play, learn, and imagine.

📜 Qualifications & Compliance
​
I am a fully registered teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and hold a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from Victoria University. Since 2019, I have been working as an Early Childhood Educator for almost 10 years and continue to expand my professional knowledge through regular training, webinars, and workshops.
To ensure children’s health, safety, and wellbeing, I maintain all required certifications, including:

• Current First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis, and Asthma Management training
• Valid Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• Ongoing professional development and training in line with Family Day Care and Department of Education requirements
• Compliance with the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations
• Comprehensive public liability and accident insurance coverage

As part of my Family Day Care Services, I undergo regular monitoring, safety audits, and quality assurance processes to ensure that the environment meets all regulatory standards.

 ​Partnerships with Families

Families are children’s first teachers. I am committed to building genuine partnerships with families by:
    Valuing each family’s knowledge of their child
    Creating a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally respectful environment
    Encouraging collaboration and shared decision-making
    Offering regular communication, reflection, and feedback
This aligns with the EYLF and VEYLDF principles, ensuring families and educators work together to support children’s wellbeing and growth.

 Inclusion & Accessibility
 
Every child deserves to feel a sense of belonging. I intentionally design flexible learning spaces that can be adapted to support children with different learning profiles, abilities, and needs. This may include:
 
    Providing sensory-friendly environments with quiet, calm spaces
    Offering multiple entry points to activities so children can participate at their own comfort level
    Using visual supports, gestures, and simplified instructions where needed
    Collaborating with families and specialists to create individual learning plans that support holistic development.


Inclusion & Diversity:
At Wonder Tree, every child and family is welcomed, respected, and celebrated. We believe that children build identity and empathy by experiencing many cultures, perspectives, and ways of being in the world.

✨ How this looks in practice:

• Acknowledgement of Country: Each morning, we begin with an Acknowledgement of Country to the Woi-wurrung People of the Kulin Nation. We also weave Indigenous stories, songs, and perspectives into our learning, helping children connect to the land and respect First Nations culture.

 

• Cultural Celebrations:
  • At Christmas, children might decorate with natural crafts and sing Christmas songs.
  • For Lunar New Year, we create paper lanterns, share dumplings, and learn traditional stories.
  • During Diwali, we explore light and colour by making rangoli art with chalks and petals.
• Family Voices: Parents are invited to share traditions, languages, and family stories. For example, a parent might teach a favourite song in their home language or bring in a traditional recipe to cook with the children.
• Diverse Stories & Resources: Our library includes books that represent many cultures, abilities, and family types. Dolls, puzzles, and play materials also reflect diversity.
• Inclusive Practice: Activities are designed with multiple entry points so every child—whether shy, confident, or with additional needs—can join at their own level. Quiet spaces, sensory-friendly resources, and visual supports ensure all children feel safe and included.

🌿 By living inclusion each day, children learn empathy, respect, and a deep sense of belonging.
 
​Nutritious Food & Mindful Eating 
 
At The Wonder Tree Family Day Care, we are committed to nurturing your children’s well-being through nutritious food, mindful routines, and sustainable choices.
Here's a gentle reminder to support our shared values: Mealtimes are a calm, respectful part of our daily rhythm. We sit together and eat lunch as a family—children, educators, and sometimes even animal friends nearby. This shared experience fosters:
 
Using Every day and Sometimes Food Language at the Wonder Tree Family Day Care
At The Wonder Tree, food is not just nourishment—it’s a shared experience that nurtures connection, care, and curiosity. We support children in developing lifelong habits around food by using inclusive language and intentional practices that reflect home and community values.

🥕 Everyday Food

These are the foods we enjoy most often. They help children grow strong, stay focused, and feel energized for play and learning. Everyday foods come from the five core food groups and include:
•           Vegetables and legumes
•           Fruits
•           Wholegrains
•           Dairy or alternatives
•           Lean meats or plant-based proteins
We offer these foods regularly across meals and snacks, celebrating variety, colour, and seasonal produce.

🍩 Sometimes Food

Sometimes foods are enjoyed occasionally, often during celebrations or special events. These foods may be higher in added sugars, salt, or saturated fats and do not provide the same nourishment as everyday foods. Examples include:
• Sweet biscuits, cakes, and pastries
• Crisps and salty snacks
• Soft drinks and confectionery
We discuss these foods without judgment, helping children understand balance and choice.
 
🧘 Mindful Eating at The Wonder Tree

• Connection: Children participate in conversations, observe others, and build social skills
• Awareness: We encourage children to notice flavours, textures, and how their bodies feel
• Responsibility: Children learn to serve themselves, scrape their plates, and tidy up after eating
We avoid eating from plastic containers and instead use ceramic dishes, just as we do at home. This small but meaningful choice helps children feel valued and emphasises that mealtimes are special.
 
Sustainability in Action
Food waste becomes a learning opportunity. Children are encouraged to:
• Scrape leftovers into our compost bin
• Observe how scraps feed our worm farm
• Learn about cycles of nature and how food connects to the earth
These practices promote environmental awareness and empower children to care for their world in practical ways.
 
Why This Matters
Our approach to food reflects the values of respect, inclusion, and well-being. It supports:
• Positive relationships with food without shame or guilt
• Cultural sensitivity and diverse food traditions
• Emotional literacy through shared rituals and routines
• Environmental observation through hands-on learning

🐾 Animals in Care

At Wonder Tree, animals are an important part of our learning environment. Children build empathy, responsibility, and confidence through caring for and interacting with our gentle animal friends.
Our current animal family includes dog Charlie and turtle Max and Koi fish both well-loved members of our setting who contribute to calm, joyful learning moments. 

Interactions and Safety
All interactions with animals are supervised, hygienic, and risk-assessed to ensure children’s wellbeing and the animals’ comfort.

• Children are taught how to approach animals calmly, using gentle voices and slow movements.
• They learn to read body language — understanding when a dog wants affection or when it needs space.
• Hygiene practices are embedded: children wash their hands after touching animals, and animal areas are kept clean, separate from food preparation or eating spaces.
• Allergies, cultural considerations, or anxieties are discussed with families and fully respected.
• Charlie, our cavoodle, is a low-shedding, child-friendly breed and has been trained to respond calmly to children. He is part of structured routines such as short visits, walks, or quiet cuddle times — never left unsupervised with children.

These practices teach children how to behave safely and respectfully around animals, helping them gain confidence and emotional awareness in real-world situations.

Dog Safety Learning

Dog safety is an essential life skill for young children. Through guided experiences with Charlie, children learn:

• How to approach unfamiliar dogs safely (ask an adult, hold out a hand, wait for permission).
• To recognise warning signs like growling, tail position, or retreating behaviour.
• The importance of respecting an animal’s space — not disturbing them while eating, sleeping, or playing with toys.
• How to be gentle and mindful of boundaries — valuable lessons in empathy and consent.

This learning is often extended through books, storytelling, and art experiences where children express what they’ve learned about kindness and animal care.

Benefits of Having a Dog in Care
Including a calm, well-trained dog in an early learning environment offers many developmental benefits:

• Emotional regulation: Stroking or sitting near a dog can reduce anxiety and help children feel calm and secure.
• Language development: Talking to Charlie or describing his actions encourages expressive language and conversation.
• Social learning: Shared animal care activities build cooperation and teamwork among children.
•  Responsibility and empathy: Feeding, brushing, or helping care for animals teaches children to nurture and respect living things.
• Connection and comfort: Animals provide unconditional affection, helping children develop trust and a sense of belonging.

Through these daily encounters, animals help us teach some of the most important lessons — kindness, patience, and compassion.


Max the Turtle and Koi fish
Max, our turtle, and Koi fish offers children a different kind of learning — gentle observation and quiet reflection. Watching him swim or feeding him vegetables provides calming, sensory-rich experiences.
He helps children learn about life cycles, habitats, and the importance of caring for our planet and all living things.

 Our Commitment
We are committed to providing safe, enriching experiences with animals in care. Every interaction is thoughtfully planned, supervised, and connected to children’s social-emotional development and understanding of the natural world.
Animals are not just visitors here — they are companions in learning, reminding us each day of the power of care, respect, and connection.

 

---