Following internal restructuring, the not-for-profit recently announced that it would again deliver its early childhood education program three days a week.
Seymour and District Community House manager Krystal Bolejko said part of the restructure involved an application to become a Child Care Subsidy provider through the Department of Education, which was successful.
“Reopening as a CCS-approved service means that each family’s fees are now based off their personal circumstances; a benefit of this is it further removes any barriers for families and makes our service accessible to all members of our community,” Ms Bolejko said.
“Our occasional care offers a five-hour, early childhood education program every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.”
The program operates out of one room, and an adjoining yard, at the community house’s Anglesey St site.
Unlike longer daycare services, the community house welcomes children aged from 0 to 6 in a mixed age format, which Ms Bolejko said had a number of benefits.
“I think it provides opportunities for older children to have that leadership and mentoring role with the younger children,” she said.
“Then, the younger children get to watch the older children and the milestones they’re reaching and challenge themselves.
“I find that it’s a really beautiful way for children to develop relationships with peers that are in different age brackets.”
Another key difference between the program and more mainstream childcare services is the community house’s approach.
“We, like other centre-based services, have the same regulations and compliance requirements, but we do pride ourselves on having a very child-centred and community-led approach with our early childhood program,” Ms Bolejko said.
“We work with each family and the goals that they would like to set for their children.
“As we will get to know our new enrolled children, we will follow their lead on interests that they have, and provide opportunities for their interests to develop by providing experiences that support each child’s learning.”
The community house is accepting enrolments of up to eight children, and is already at about halfway to capacity for most days that the program is offered on.
For more information on the program, or to make an inquiry or join the waitlist, visit seymourcommunityhouse.com.au/early-childhood-education
Any inquiries can be sent to sdchelc@outlook.com or by phoning 5792 3152.
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