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Last year I had the pleasure of being a regular visitor to the Waite Campus Childrens Centre.Ìý I am Alex's Oma and regularly picked him up.Ìý I would like to share some of my reflections on the centre and Alex's experience.

The Centre is immediately inclusive with symbols displayed to communicate to all diversity is the welcome and the space is safe for all to be exactly who they are.Ìý The difference in a culture of belonging vs having to 'fit in' is so important and a great way for Alex's education to begin.

I was so impressed by the health standards.ÌýÌý The narrative about children starting childcare is that they are continually sick.Ìý This was not the case for Alex and the expectations of the centre in relation to hygiene and sick children was high.Ìý I believe this made a huge difference.

Waite has an environment that becomes an extension of the child's home.Ìý Alex's behaviour indicated that he felt happy, safe and loved being at Waite.Ìý When he woke in the morning Ollie and Bethany would say when he realised it was a childcare day he would put his arms in the air in celebrations and say 'childcare'!!!!Ìý Alex's personality was understood and encouraged.Ìý He felt as comfortable as he did at home.

I saw first hand him engaging with all the activities, play equipment, toys and he would speak about the extra activities and visitors you had organised.

The homemade food was particularly enjoyed by Alex.Ìý Grace and her team did an amazing job setting up good eating habits for life.Ìý Alex did not need much encouragement to eat but that's because the food was so great!

The most impressive part of my observations were the staff.Ìý Every person in the room Alex was in were outstanding.ÌýÌý Kind, patient, gentle, engaged, fun.ÌýÌý They appear to be devoted to their work and the children.Ìý Karen was phenomenal.Ìý The way she engaged with Alex has set him up for positive relationships with educators for the rest of his schooling.Ìý What Karen doesn't know about children I imagine is not worth knowing!!! She is an incredibly special person who we will always be grateful for her role in Alex's life.Ìý These first three years are crucial and her and your centres influence in his development has been an exceptional contribution.

I have been a social worker within the criminal justice system for many years so I have only been exposed to the absolute worst experiences that occur to children in childcare.Ìý I saw the systems and structures in which you ensure their safety and the vigilance that you upheld those safety mechanisms.

Thank you for the most wonderful experience you provided to Alex.Ìý We are all so disappointed they moved so far away to make it hard to continue at Waite.

As Alex's Oma I was made to feel so welcome every time I visited.Ìý I was really disappointed when Alex's time ended at Waite. On behalf of our extended family thank you for the loving, safe and educational environment that you all so expertly provide to all the children.Ìý Alex is now a beneficiary of this incredible centre.ÌýÌý Margie

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Dear Room 1 team,

We wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the love, care and attention you give to Rylee. It means the world to us knowing that she is in such capable and nurturing hands each day. The joy and confidence she comes home with is a true reflection of the warmth and support she receives from all of you. Thank you for not only taking care of Rylee's needs but also for creating an environment where she can grow, explore and thrive. Your patience, creativity and dedication do not go unnoticed, and we feel incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful team looking after our little one.Ìý Ancret, Zygmunt and Rylee

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To all the wonderful WCCC educators and staff. Thank you for all you do in providing such a nurturing and inspiring community. It means the world to our family to know our child in in such good care.Ìý Tessa, Ryan and Billy

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Thank you to all you beautiful educators at Waite! Your love for our children is evident in all you do. The creativity, activities, exploration and communication is always fantastic and our kiddos feel like home in your arms.Ìý Bethany, Ollie and Alex

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We are SO GRATEFUL for the efforts of all the teachers and staff to make the kiddos feel welcomed, safe, nourished, challenged and celebrated. Thank you! We especially want to thank and appreciate Leah and Bobbie for everything you have done to support our child in the massive transition into child care; for being being so inclusive and welcoming of our queer family and collaborating with us in they-ing our child and resulting gender stereotypes; and for bring so much energy, passion, creativity and care to your work. Thank you!!Ìý WCCC family

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Dear Room 1 educators, Thank you for reading stories, singing songs, playing in the sand pit, giving cuddles, putting me to sleep, changing nappies, trips to the Butterfly Garden, teaching our babies about the world and being all around wonderful. You are a really important part of our support network and we are lucky to be part of Waite CCC.Ìý WCCC family

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We love absolutely everything about the staff at Waite. Thank you for being so welcoming, warm, caring and loving to our child and all the happy children here. We are so grateful.Ìý WCCC family

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We originally heard about WCCC from our neighbour, who sent her (now adult daughter) to WCCC and was on the Parent's Committee. Whenever we mention that our son goes to WCCC, we always hear that WCCC is amazing and a trail blazer in sustainability and evidence-based early learning. So WCCC gets rave reviews and is well known by word of mouth in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø!Ìý WCCC family

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Thank you so much for welcoming our child into Room 3. It has been extremely rewarding to watch our child grow and thrive in this setting. We really value the manner in which Waite provides our child a way in which he can grow his understanding and consciousness of the expansive world around him; age appropriate, child focussed and happiness oriented. Your skill and professionalism as teachers is self-evident as is the love of children and their growth and happiness. WCCC family

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Kirsteen and I would just like to take this opportunity to say that being part of the Waite Child Care family has been fantastic. Both Skye and Brodie have made long lasting friendships through the centre and you, and your educators, have been brilliant and supportive of them over the years as they have grow