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Originally a parent run play-centre (dating back to 1954), in 2000 CELCI became a not-for-profit incorporated society, with the aim of preserving the community approach by including parents in the running of the centre, while balancing this with a top notch bunch of teachers with great credentials and an even bigger heart for kids.
CELCI provides a warm, nurturing and caring family friendly environment for children aged two to six years in lovely bright spacious classrooms. We have an all day licence, although children may attend on a sessional basis, including a full day, school day and morning and afternoon sessions (minimum three hours).
CELCI runs a fantastic set of programs to provide children with the opportunity to thrive from 2-6 years. These include developmentally targeted activities, the “Adventurers” program for four year olds who like to get out and explore, and a well-regarded and comprehensive transition to school program linking in with both local primary schools. We are extremely well resourced and literacy rich.
Our large outdoor area is huge and provides a challenging place to explore. The children learn about sustainability through our gardening, recycling and worm composting.
We have an open door policy for parent/guardians who are not only welcomed, but highly encouraged to visit their child/ren and join them as they play and learn.
We provide a positive, warm and inviting environment that caters for all the needs of the children and their families. Our safe, stimulating and challenging environment caters for children’s holistic development. We encourage children to problem-solve, be self-confident and self-motivated while respecting each other and the environment.
INDOOR FACILITIES
We have modern large indoor spaces to cater for different age groups. We have a wide range of equipment, books and education material for all of our children to enjoy, including a recently installed Interactive whiteboard to use as an ICT tool to support varied learning opportunities.
A sleep room is also available with comfy child stretchers set up for children who would like to sleep. This is monitored at regular intervals.
OUTDOORS AREA
Our large outdoor play area has a superb range of spaces comprising of two sandpits, a tree swing, slide, ‘mud pit’, play house and our very own pirate ship to explore. We have a large number of resources that children can select to use as they explore and learn.
Caring for our environment and animals is an important part of our centre. We encourage the children to contribute to our vegetable garden fostering environmental responsibility. Through hands on learning, exploration and having fun in the garden the children develop responsibility, self-confidence, communication and skills of observation.
We have an aviary and also share our environment with two rabbits (Cupcake and Sparkles), two turtles (Bod and Myrtle), goldfish and two rats; enabling the children to develop a relationship with the natural environment and learn how to take care of the living world.