A Family Favourite!
Community Kids Pakenham is our first ever Families’ Choice Award Winner in the KindiCare Excellence Awards. See why Melbourne mums and dads absolutely love this centre!
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
Quality childcare centres win the respect and trust of their families, and the really good ones win their hearts as well.
This is definitely the case at Community Kids Pakenham in Melbourne, where there’s a real childcare family feel, and parents are truly grateful for the experiences their children enjoy, in the care of the educators they adore.
Families often praise the centre and its staff, and all their genuine, glowing reviews have earnt Community Kids Pakenham a place in KindiCare history!
This G8 Education centre is our first ever Families’ Choice Award Winner in the KindiCare Excellence Awards, and Centre Manager, Tia Van Deursen, is thrilled to see her service being recognised in this way.
Tia has lots of experience in early childhood education and care, and a real passion for communication and connection with families.
This passion is shared by her team, and it resonates really strongly with their childcare families.
Tia explains that, “Community Kids Pakenham is not just a daycare provider. Instead, we build rapport with families, and we’re here for the everyday chat and those deeper conversations as well.”
At Community Kids Pakenham, there is always a member of management at the door to greet families, and the whole team has a reputation for being friendly, helpful and kind.
They work together to create a homely atmosphere, instead of a clinical or business-like one, and Tia says, “The relationships we build with families are firm and true.
“We talk to families in a way that builds trust and connection, and I always say that, ‘If you’re not talking to families, then you’re not showcasing what’s happening or how you can support them.’”
Families really appreciate how the team includes them in centre life.
They’re kept up-to-date with daily happenings, invited to centre events, and are also privy to the team’s professional expertise.
Tia says, “We understand that our team is a knowledge base when it comes to early childhood learning and development. So, we really showcase this knowledge and role model it for the families, so they can apply it themselves at home.”
And if a parent has a particular question or concern, they can rely on the team to provide individualised support and always keep their confidences.
The make-up of the team is also appealing for families.
Tia explains that, “At Community Kids Pakenham, our team is really well balanced between those educators who are quite fresh to the sector, and those with years and years of experience, and our families appreciate the dedication and enthusiasm all our team members share.
“Our team has a genuine passion for early childhood education and care. This is more than just a job for us, and our families see this, and know this, from the moment they visit our centre.”
Tia says, “I always suggest that families explore a few different childcare centres before enrolling at one, because every family is different and every centre too.
“However, I find that families always come back to Community Kids Pakenham, because of the comfort and familiarity they feel, and we have some families who’ve been with us 10 years, as their different children move through the early years.”
There’s no doubt that current and former families love Community Kids Pakenham!
Special features, like the indoor fort for four-year-olds and hey dee ho centre-based activities are big drawcards, but it’s the people that truly make this centre a family favourite.
Parents love how welcoming and sharing Tia and her team are, and it’s their passion for communication and connectedness that makes Community Kids Pakenham a winning centre for everyone.
