Top Centre in VIC

Hints, Tips & Stories
 23 Nov 2024

Congratulations to everyone at Cuddly Bear Child Care and Kindergarten Heathmont for winning a 2024 KindiCare Excellence Award!            

BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

NOVEMBER 24, 2024

Cuddly Bear Child Care and Kindergarten Heathmont is our State Winner in Victoria, with a KindiCare Rating of 9.9, and this Melbourne centre is a fun place with a thoughtful foundation.  

Cuddly Bear Heathmont is inspired by the Ecological Model, which puts community at the heart of everything they do, and this is emphasised by their anchoring service value: ‘Our community at our core.’ 

This community focus is good for everyone, and while the children are busy playing and learning in the best ways possible, Cuddly Bear’s educators are striving for excellence with a smile on their dial!  

There’s genuine joy and passion in the way they deliver Cuddly Bear’s early learning program, and Assistant Director, Brooke Skurnik says, “Visiting families very much notice the happy culture at our centre and how bubbly and fun our educators are.  

“We are really excited to be here, and feel honoured to be able to partner with families and have such a positive influence in children’s lives.” 

The educators’ passion, gratitude and motivation definitely helps to build the community that’s so integral to their childcare offering. 

Whether Cuddly Bear Heathmont is hosting its annual art show for families, or an open day for prospective educators, they’re proud to showcase their quality childcare offering, while also welcoming feedback.  

And no matter what happens, Cuddly Bear’s educators put the children at the centre of their care.  

The babies, toddlers and preschoolers at this centre are seen as competent and capable learners, and all ages are included in a child-led, play based program that seeks to achieve positive outcomes for children through their interests, guided by educators’ intentional teaching practices. 

All the rooms, from Nursery up to Kinder, are also involved in Cuddly Bear Heathmont’s weekly ‘loving our country’ ritual.  

This includes an Acknowledgement of Country, garden care program and chicken care program; and Cuddly Bear’s very popular egg program sees the children tending to the centre’s three resident chickens and giving their eggs to families. 

When you throw in all the other amazing early learning experiences, such as Happy Feet Fitness, Hey Dee Ho music, children’s committee, language programs and Bush Kinder nature play, there’s a very positive feeling flowing through this centre, which bounces between the children, educators, parents and everyone who comes on site.   

It’s wonderful to see a centre with such a bright and joyful culture, and their KindiCare Excellence Award win has given Cuddly Bear’s team all the more reason to smile! 

Brooke says, “To receive a KindiCare Excellence Award is extremely exciting. We are so grateful to be recognised as the top performing centre in Victoria, and are very thankful to our families who have contributed to our success, and to the children who motivate us to achieve great things.”   

Here at KindiCare, we give a huge congratulations to everyone in the Cuddly Bear Heathmont community, and we can definitely see why so many families revisit and recommend this centre whenever they can!  

 

Learn more about Cuddly Bear Child Care and Kindergarten Heathmont 

Information correct as at 1 July 2024