Penguin Childcare Ravenhall

Penguin Childcare Ravenhall is an open and spacious child care centre filled with charm and character that will ensure your children play and learn in a relaxed but stimulating environment.

Our Ravenhall child care centre is conveniently located near the freeway entrance which makes it easy for parents requiring care and education in Deer Park, Caroline Springs and surrounding areas. We are located conveniently behind the delicious Eating Station Café who is well known and supported in the community.

Within our yards the children can learn through our natural play areas. In our yards we have beautiful vegetable patches, garden beds and mud pits. Although we still have play equipment outside we have some natural areas to allow the children to learn about the environment. The children have been able to link these areas to learning and now have been able to participate in some amazing cooking experiences from the fruit and vegetables they helped grow. All meals are made on site with fresh market ingredients. Nappies are also provided.

Our passionate educators create educational and fun learning programs for all our children. We have regular incursions and weekly community walks in our surrounding neighbourhood. Our location allows the children to visit various local businesses which allows the children not only to learn through play but to go and put their learning into practice.

A specialised Kindergarten program is taught by a Bachelor qualified Early Childhood Teacher. With a focus on language, literacy, numeracy, social skills and more, your child will become school ready. Our Kindergarten program includes lunch box and uniform days in preparation for school.

Individual children’s cultural, religious and nutritional needs are catered for. We know how important the decision is as to where you are going to leave your child or baby in day care and we guarantee to make your experience a positive one.

Melinda Harvey

I have been working in the sector for 25+ years. I hold an Associate Diploma of Children’s Services and a Diploma in Business (Frontline  Management- Children’s Services).

Our centre’s philosophy is based on the belief that all children are unique, capable, competent and involved learners who make a valuable contribution to their community.

We believe children have the right to loving relationships, respect, care and education in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination.

We believe that early childhood is a vital stage in a child’s development and lays the foundation for future learning and supports the child to develop life skills. We believe young children “Learn to Play and Play to Learn”. Children need to “just be”, to play, to try new things, explore their world and to have fun.

We believe young children do learn through their play experiences and our programs are responsive to this and are tailored to each child’s needs and level of development. These programs reflect the principles and practices of the National Early Years Learning Framework.

We highly value the role of our Teachers and Educators in building genuine relationships with each child as this underpins our programs and enables learning to occur. Our Educators observe and share the children’s learning experiences, extend their thinking and intentionally introduce the children to new learning.

We actively promote and encourage strong partnerships with families and our community as this creates a wonderful sense of belonging that is vital to the learning environment of our children. We encourage families to be active participators in the life of the Centre through sharing cultures, ideas, knowledge, strengths and differences. We recognise and celebrate our diverse backgrounds and the abilities that we all bring to our community.

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the land upon which we Meet and Learn. We value and support the principles of a reconciled Australia.

We believe in the process of continually improving the care and education we provide at Penquin Childcare Ravenhall Early Learning Centre so we can provide the highest quality service for our families. Changes to our practices, environment and program will be made to reflect the voices of children, educators, parental input and community input.

I believe that all parents and family members play an important part in forming a solid link between home and the centre. This link is essential for a smooth transition for the child and I will always foster this link through family participation and by adopting an open door policy for families.

Rooms

Our centre provides care for the following age groups:

Facilities

Our service provides the following facilities:

• Convenient location
• Nappies included
• Breakfast
• Morning tea
• Lunch
• Afternoon tea
• Other meals – Late snack
• Sustainability program
• Veggie garden
• On-site parking
• Sports, music and yoga program
• SMART Interactive Whiteboard
• In-house cook
• Fully air-conditioned
• Large, natural play environments
• Belonging tree
• Parent refreshment station
• Vegetable patches
• Water Play area
• Early Childhood Teacher
• Government Approved Kindergarten Program
• Kindergarten program that includes lunch box and uniform days in preparation for school
• 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 wipe
• 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.