Penguin Childcare Epping

Our Epping child care and early learning centre boasts first-class equipment, a qualified chef who prepares all meals on site with fresh market ingredients and funded Kindergarten program taught by qualified Early Childhood Teachers.

Individual children’s cultural, religious and nutritional needs are catered for. We encourage communication from parents who like to check on their child’s progress throughout the day.

We know how important the decision is as to where you are going to leave your child or baby in care and we guarantee to make your experience full of fun and happiness.

Our childcare centre proudly offers a government approved kindergarten/preschool program. Delivered by Early Childhood Teachers, the program ensures your child is supported for their transition to school every step of the way. With a focus on language, literacy, numeracy, social skills and more, your child will become school ready.

Paige Brennan

I began my career in early childhood education and care in 2012 and started working at Penguin Epping early in 2021. I hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education; I was an Educational Leader and 2IC Centre Manager for 4 years.

I’ve always loved interacting and spending time with children, which prompted me to complete my Certificate III in Early childhood education, after some experience in working in the industry I found a strong passion for Early Childhood Education and creating learning environments for the children. I am passionate about showing family’s that the childcare industry is so much more than just babysitting and how we can help support each child in our care to build on the skills that they can carry with them through childhood all the way to adulthood. Early childhood education is so important, and children learn very quickly, giving them the ideas, support and confidence to achieve great things allows them to do so.

I am very passionate about following the Reggio Emilia approach, allowing the classroom to be the 3rd teacher, following the child’s lead and interests, natural spaces, materials and environments. Providing a nurturing space will also allow children to feel an ease in their environments.

During tours, I discuss the benefits and outcomes of early childhood education, using our Quality Improvement plan and displays around the centre along with displays. We invite families to come spend time in the classrooms and watch their children in the environments within the service.

Our team understands just how important your children are to you and we ensure we take our responsibilities seriously. Penguin Childcare Centres has extensive policy and procedures in place to assist our team in protecting children in our care. Each member has their own values and work strongly together to achieve the best results for all children.

I like to get to know families on a personal level, by greeting them by name, having discussions about their children/family and by talking about their weekend plans. I am always available for families, in person, via a phone call or via email.

Welcome to Penguin Childcare Epping.

Rooms

Our centre provides care for the following age groups:

Facilities

Our service provides the following facilities:

• Nappies
• Breakfast
• Morning tea
• Lunch
• Afternoon tea
• Other meals – Late snack/fruit available
• Sustainability program
• Veggie garden
• On-site parking
• In-house cook
• Halal meal options
• Fully air-conditioned
• Large, natural play environments
• Early Childhood Teacher
• Government Approved Kindergarten Program
• Xplor – a parent communication app that connects families with their children’s progression, development and daily learning

A centre tour is a convenient way to experience the centre of your choice and meet with our qualified educators at a time suitable to your family schedule. Penguin also offers the virtual tour option in all our centres in Victoria. Click here to book a tour online.

On the day of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to observe practices and interactions within the centre environment. You’ll be able to see all the rooms and playgrounds, ask the team members any questions you have in mind, and get all the information you need to make the best decision for your child. 

Penguin Childcare’s Family Support team will add your child’s name on our waitlist if a Penguin centre is currently full in your child’s age group. We will then contact you as soon as a place become available.

We also do monthly check-ins to review the availability, and you will receive a text message confirming if you’re still happy to remain on the waitlist each month. If you would like to get an update at any point, you’re welcome to reach out on our Web Chat or give us a call. 

Our Family Support team can also help you find more G8 early learning centres near you, with the same offerings at the Penguin centre you are interested in that have immediate availability.

It’s common for a child to experience separation anxiety when they first start child care. When you’re getting ready to start child care, you can help your child overcome anxieties by visiting the child care service together for a Stay and Play session, and easing into new routines at home.

Click here to read more tips about how to make the transition easier for your child.

Most of our Penguin child care and early education centres offers the following:

• Nappies and wipes
• Sunscreen and hats
• Nutritious meals prepared by our in-house cook<

Some centres also provide sheets and formula, so you may not need to remember to pack them.

For nursery children, be sure to bring: nappy rash cream, dummies, bottles and teats, comfort toy or blanket, three spare outfits, spare socks and a plastic bag for wet clothes.

For toddlers and preschool or kindergarten aged children, it’s best to bring: spare underwear, water bottle or sippy cup, sun hat, closed-toe shoes, two spare outfits, spare socks and a plastic bag for wet clothes.

Plus anything else your individual child may need, such as breast milk, a sleeping bag, comforter or medication.

It’s best to speak to your centre of choice for a full list of everything included.

Penguin Childcare uses Xplor Home as our family communication app. It is the best and easiest way to keep track of your child’s day. After you enrol your child with the centre, you can utilise Xplor Home to book child care days, manage your account, receive the photographs that capture your child’s learning, learn about your child’s progress, as well as keep up-to-date with upcoming centre events and important information.

If your child shows signs of an infectious illness when they arrive at the centre or becomes sick during the day, you may be notified that you need to make alternative arrangements or pick up your child from the centre, and keep them home until they are no longer infectious. While we understand that this can be inconvenient, Penguin is committed to maintaining a healthy environment and reducing the risk of infection for all children.

Under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), families are allowed 42 absence days per child, per financial year. These can be taken for any reason, including public holidays and when children are sick, without the need for families to provide documentation.