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Smartie Pants Childcare & Kindergarten ☆ Diamond Creek

Inspiring Greatness

At Smartie Pants we provide children in Diamond Creek and surrounds the highest quality of child care / kindergarten.

We are accepting and welcoming of all individuals and families regardless of family structure, gender and background.

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We promote praise, acceptance and encouragement for all children, which we believe assists them in developing a healthy self esteem. We endeavour to employ behaviour management methodologies which focus on prevention and reduce escalation. We encourage you to read our policy on page 15 of our Parent Handbook to find out more on how we promote proactive and sensitive behavioural management.

A key aim at our centre is to build a healthy bridge between our care and your home. This is largely aided by facilitating enough time for ‘family grouping’ while also allowing children sufficient time to participate in age appropriate activities. Hence, inside we have provided 4 large playrooms which are structured to accommodate children of all age groups from babies to pre-school. This allows our centre flexibility to provide both sibling/family grouping and age-grouped activities.

Music and Song are also a key focus at our centre. We encourage our children to sing, dance and play music throughout the day. Music is used to communicate to our children changes in activities. We have songs to identify specific times of the day (eg time to eat lunch, play outside, etc. We also sing songs about things we do and see. We encourage all our parents to ask our staff for copies of music sheets for the songs we are singing and if you like to, enjoy singing them at home too!

For children we:

Provide a warm, loving and inviting atmosphere where children can feel safe and secure

Design group and individual programs that encourage and enhance all aspects of a child’s physical, emotional, intellectual social and language development

Provide an environment that recognises that children learn and develop best through play

Provide opportunities to explore language, role play, science and the arts to help children make sense of the world around them

Provide a family style centre, where siblings and all children (0-6) learn to share, play and develop at their own pace

Encourage children to interact with and be respectful of each other, their differences and their environment, through the cultivation of the land, the observation of and caring for animals and local flora and fauna

Encourage children to be natural learners by supporting their inherent interest, curiosity and enthusiasm for learning

Provide programs that incorporates a balance between carer and child initiated activities

Assist children in developing life skills such as decision making, organisation, communication and team work

Support the inclusion of all children regardless of culture, religion or disability. This inclusion means all children are part of and participate in their environment It means not just being there, it means being with, learning with, playing with, communicating with and socialising with their peers

Nurture children’s imagination through music, song, story-telling and role playing

Provide a variety of nutritional and enjoyable foods that are respectful of religious and medical requirements

Provide adequate time and a soothing environment for rest

Provide a secure and hygienic environment where children are safe and well supervised

Continually update our teaching values and strategies in order to provide the most appropriate care and learning environment

For staff we:

Promote ongoing mentoring and training

Provide regular staff appraisals and map out career paths

Recognise the importance of the teacher/carer role model

Provide facilities and procedures to protect health and safety and enhance ability to provide stimulating and nurturing care

Foster an environment where staff share ideas and resources, feel comfortable providing positive & constructive feedback to each other and are respectful of one another

Acknowledge the importance of work life balance and the importance of support and flexibility during periods of family strain or crisis

For families we:

Acknowledge that our role is to serve as both a support and an extension to the family unit

Treat each family as important and aim to support parents in their care and upbringing by providing a caring and loving environment in our Centre

Encourage families to provide input, feedback and open communication with our staff

Offer opportunities for parents to be a part of the decision making process and to value their input

For the community we:

Liaise with Diamond Creek and surrounding communities and organise special events

Provide an opportunity for employment and offer student placements in our childcare centre

Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet 2:
School Readiness: How Will I Know if My Child is Ready

Testimonials

Rating - womow.com.au/biz

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Monday 7th June, 2010

My son attends Smartie Pants two days a week and loves it, mainly because he has formed special bonds with so many of the carers, who genuinely love and respect children, and do all they can to make sure children are happy and thriving.
Best wishes,

Dr Elise Davis
Senior Research Fellow - Population Health

Sunday 6th June, 2010

We could not be happier with Smartie Pants. I have two children there, eldest starting at 3 months and has now been in their care for 2 years. The staff obviously love their job - so happy, always greeting the kids with open arms and very accommodating to your needs. I love that you can email your room during the day for an update on your child and if there are any problems (like child not settling) they ring you straight away which is very reassurring. Secure grounds in a bushland environment which is great - not beside some busy road with traffic polution! I highly recommend them.

Sophie Walsh

Saturday 5th June, 2010

We really think SP is a wonderful place for our child because 1. It is almost like a family run centre and not a franchise/chain, 2. Most importantly, all the staff are excellent, kind and compassionate, which are key to connecting with children. Many of the staff are still there from the time our little one started at the centre in January 2009 (gosh, it's been that long!!) - which means that our little one has got consistent carers - consistency of care givers is a key to little kids well being. It also means that staff are happy working at SP!
Well done, all round! Keep it up.
Regards,

Jo and Vaidy.

Friday 4th June, 2010

We are so happy we have our daughter at SP, she has adjusted to childcare brilliantly and it has everything to do with the carers and how the centre operates. Thank you SP for making it as easy as possible to leave our daughter somewhere she feels safe, is developmentally monitored and supported, and most of all seems to have a blast!

Nicole Coxford

Friday 4th June, 2010

I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude for the excellent service our family receives from all of the staff at Smartie Pants.
Jacob has been attending Smartie Pants since early February 2009 and he thoroughly enjoys it. We were offered a very intensive orientation by 'Emma' and she was and still is very professional, supportive and informative.
The staff who work with Jacob on a daily basis demonstrate a sincere commitment to their role and it is quite evident from Jacob's reaction when we walk in the room that he really loves spending the time with them. I would also like to give a big thank you to 'Janine', 'TJ' and 'Sam' who are so forthcoming with progress reports on Jacob and how he is settling in. I would also like to thank Roxanne who is fantastic and very communicative.
Our family looks forward to a long association with Smartie Pants and we regularly promote your service to our family and friends.

Kind regards,
Paula Burns

Thursday 3rd June, 2010

I would like to take this opportunity to Thank Smartie Pants staff for the high standard of care they provide.
All staff are very friendly and welcoming towards children and parents. The variety of educational and fun activities at this centre is great - but the best is the nurturing the children receive from the staff. They are greeted with smiles every day. I credit them for teaching my child social skills.
It's absolutely recommended for all parents. My daughter is having fun and she has learned so much.
I really appreciate the sense of security I feel when I leave my Alicia with you.

Thank you
Marcela & Alicia (2yo)

Thursday 3rd June, 2010

Some feedback from the Fitzsimmons clan:
both my children are always happy to attend
the staff are sensitive, nurturing and caring for the children
my kids have had good strong relationships with their carers
my kids have only benefited from their time at Smartiepants

the Kinder program is outstanding and prepared Morgan well for school
As you can tell, we have been extremely happy and feel lucky to have our kids at such a great Centre - we are very grateful.

Kind Regards
Michelle Fitzsimmons

Wednesday 27th February, 2008

Hi Natalie,
I just began leaving my first child, who is 5½ months old, at Smartie Pants last week.
I had heard some horror stories from other parents regarding childcare, and when researching care whilst pregnant, heard from a friend about your services. I now know that I made the right choice in picking Smartie Pants to care for Maya. The transition of returning to work and beginning childcare for a small baby is quite overwhelming, but your team has made it easier for me. Leaving Maya at Smartie Pants is easier than I thought it would be, because I know she is being cared for and she seems quite happy.
In Maya's second week she has adapted well. The Hug-a-Bubs team, especially Emma, has made me feel so comfortable leaving my little baby.
Especially yesterday when I handed my daughter to Emma & she gave her a big smile, she was so happy to see her, after being away for 4 days. It made me feel even more comfortable.
I would just like to say a big thanks to Smartie Pants and what a wonderful job the Hug-a-Bubs team are doing.
I am so glad that I picked Smartie Pants for her childcare. Even though it is only week 2 for Maya , I already feel so comfortable with leaving my daughter with Emma and her team.
Your staff & service are excellent. I am a very happy parent.

Regards
Mrs Melanie Moxon

Thursday 28th February, 2008

Dear Smartie Pants Team,
I wanted to say thank you for the fantastic way that you look after our children and our family. Ethan (5) has recently started school, and we have been told by his teacher that he has settled in really well, is very well adjusted and already has a good grounding in the skills he needs for school such as his reading and numbers. I'm sure that this is thanks to the wonderful kinder programme that you have at Smartie Pants, and the way you concentrate on the social and educational skills that children need.
Leith (1 ½) has just moved from Hug a Bubs to Pip Squeaks, and once again, you have made it so easy for us and for him. When he started in Hug a Bubs, I couldn't believe how supportive and nurturing the team was. I always felt that he was in the best possible hands while I was at work. Now that he's moved up to Pip Squeaks, I see the same care and attention. The whole team has made sure that not only is Leith ready for, and happy with this move, but that we are happy with the transition as well. Leith has settled in perfectly, and now he's got even more girls to give cuddles to!
We've used a number of child care centres, and you guys are the best. I recommend you to everyone I know!

Many, many thanks,
Vanessa.

Saturday 8th April, 2007

I just wanted to send a quick note to thank you and your team on the lengthy but smooth orientation of Declan. I appreciate the time given to both myself and Declan in getting us settled into your centre, and a special thanks to you for comforting me on those times when I wasn’t too sure about leaving him.
I want to thank the staff on making me feel comfortable about leaving Declan in their care and the time taken to show me around, explain policies and procedures and allowing me to stay for long periods to ensure that Declan was happy during his stay.

Since being in your centre Declan’s social skills have improved and now he is too keen to stay, I have to chase him to get a good bye kiss.

We love the facilities, programs and staff, you’re doing a great job and I have full confidence and comfort in leaving Declan in your care.

Thanks again

Regards
Dannielle Rowe

Tuesday 27th March, 2007

I am writing to let you know how pleased we are that our son has now settled in well at Smartie Pants. It was hard in the beginning as our son would cry on the way to childcare, and I wondered whether it was worth all of the drama. However, he has now stopped crying, and although he is usually sad when we leave him, by the time we pick him up he is so excited about all the things he's done during the day. I think this is testament to the fact that the staff are very friendly and reassuring, and also due to the wide variety of activities, toys and play equipment - I doubt any of the children would get bored during the day. Our son especially enjoys the giant sand pit as well as Hey Dee Ho, who he refers to as "the dancing lady."
Your staff are always friendly and helpful, and have always been willing to answer questions even when they're already run off their feet. You were also a big help at the beginning (and continue to be), always very patient despite my constant myriad of questions!

Thankyou,
Elli Hennessy

☆ Smartie Pants Child Care & Kindergarten - Diamond Creek, St. Helena, Eltham, Eltham North, Greensborough, Plenty and surrounds ☆