La Crèche on the avenue Child Care & Early Learning Centre

BY STACY WONG

PARENTS FACE A CRUCIAL DECISION WHEN SELECTING A CHILDCARE CENTRE TO SUIT THEIR CHILD’S NEEDS THROUGHOUT YOUNG DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES. LA CRÈCHE ON THE AVENUE IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE VERY BEST IN EDUCATION, CARE, RESOURCES, MEALS AND FACILITIES FOR BABIES, CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS.

La Crèche is the brainchild of owner Louise de Bomford-Scott, who has extensive experience and is highly respected within the industry. “I have always felt that babies and children deserve and should have the very best of care, education and resources. Having worked in childcare centres throughout Australia for many years, I have seen the best and worst of facilities, resources and practices,” says Louise.

“Prior to moving to the Territory in 1996, I dreamed of owning my own childcare and early learning centre. The research began just over 10 years ago as the need grew for more facilities in the NT.”

“Many childcare centres have their children in large groups of mixed age groups and mixed groups of developmental stages. This can be quite intimidating for children and very stressful for staff and parents.”

“At La Crèche, we boast small and workable groups according to the children’s age and stage of development. The educators have the time to give children individual time and attention as well as group time. The rooms are calm; children are happy and engaged in activities provided in their educational program.”

WHAT SETS LA CRÈCHE APART FROM OTHER CHILDCARE FACILITIES?

• State of the art design – modern and comfortable with vast windows for openness and natural light.
• Facilities – 9 separate rooms, First Aid Room, two large outdoor areas.
• Resources and Equipment – offering many varied activities and resources with no expense spared on toys, furniture and equipment.
• Ample personal storage for families to use.
• Extra educators to “float” increasing ratios of educators to children – ensuring breaks, program time and extra duties are covered.

La Crèche is equipped with a separate “First Aid Room” where ill children can rest comfortably on a junior bed, while monitored by an educator until the parent arrives. This room is quiet, near the front entrance and is aesthetically soothing. Isolation also helps against the unnecessary spread of illness to other children and staff.

La Crèche’s two spacious outdoor areas are larger than regulation required – a well-designed environment with supervision of children in mind. “This provides many stimulating, interesting areas for children to play and learn in; such as our bike track with signage, simulated creek with a working water pump, vegetable and herb patches, children can weed, water and pick, some soft-fall wildlife, climbing equipment and lots of room to run!”

AIDING CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Parents are interviewed prior to commencing enrolment, discussing and assessing their child’s needs, likes and dislikes together with La Crèche’s educational program.
“If children have special needs and require inclusion support, we can provide this together with staff training. Our educational program planning software has the facility whereby parents can log in to their child’s profile and read observations, learning stories and see photos, works of art that have been uploaded by educators. No waiting until the end of the day to see what your child has achieved throughout the day.”

PRIME LOCATION AT THE AVENUE

The Avenue complex is conveniently located on the edge of Darwin’s CBD, and easily accessible, with car parking directly outside the centre.

“It is literally a one-stop shop for some parents as they live and work in The Avenue and their children attend childcare in the same complex. The Avenue is growing continually – with the café, laundromat and optometrist operating, and soon there will be a bakery, organic juice outlet, accountant and many more commercial premises opening. This is so convenient for busy working families.”