+ Our Educators

MICHAEL CURTIS
Team Leader
Michael is currently working towards his Bachelor of Primary and Early Childhood Education. He has a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, is a trained primary school music teacher and was previously a Centre Director at Aged School Care before making the career change into early childhood education. He joined the Baringa family in 2022 and was a finalist for the 2023 Educator of the Year at the Early Childhood Australia ACT Awards.

NASRINA HABIB
Assistant Team Leader
Nasrina holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. Nasrina has worked across various centres since 2013. Nasrina has been with the Baringa family since 2023.

SHANE SWANSTON
Educator
Shane has over 15 years of experience working the Early Childhood Education profession and is qualified with a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Shane has been apart of the Baringa family since 2012.

PAIGE MCALLUM
Educator
Paige is studying toward her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care with Baringa's Early Learning Connection program. She joined the Baringa family in 2022.

CAITLIN POWELL
Educator
Caitlin joined the Baringa fsamily in 2023 as a casual educator, working across all our rooms. Caitlin is qualified with her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

+ Room Information

We encourage you to take this opportunity to familiarise yourself with our Centre Policies including our Exclusion Policy and Fees Policy and Food Menu. For new families, and those whose children are transitioning to a new room, we ask you to kindly fill in the following forms and return to your educator or the Baringa Office:

Child Information Sheet

Local Area Excursion Form

Collection authorisations (if required):

One-off collection form

On-going collection via My Family Lounge (desktop not mobile)

Login and click QK enrol and first ensure the person you wish to authorise is listed as a contact. Once listed, click “edit” next to your child’s name, then under "authorisations” select and save the collection authorisation for the relevant contact.

+ Items to Bring

• 6 x nappies
• 4 to use during the day and 2 spares
• 2 – 4 undies
• 2 sets of spare changes of clothing, including socks (all clothes to be labelled)
• Attachments (dummies, soft toys, blankets, photos, ect.)
• Coats & Beanies for winter – Broad brimmed hat and sleeved t-shirts for summer
• Personal (labelled) water bottle
• Sensitive Sunscreen if needed - we provider a standard sunscreen

NOTE: Please do not bring any toys from home, it can be distressing for your child if they are lost, broken or misplaced. Attachment items are acceptable. Please do not bring your child to Baringa in thongs. Our outdoor area is big, and, on a hill, there is lots of uneven ground and thongs are not supportive of the play your child will engage in through the day. Sandals are acceptable.

+ Daily Routine

7:30am // Baringa opens: To assist with a smooth transition into Baringa for the day, the Banksia children will have the opportunity to explore various resources that have been set-up. These have been chosen to support the current program or will be child initiated.

9:00am // Circle Time: The Banksia children are invited and encouraged to sit on the sitting spots on the stairs to greet each other with a Good morning song. Following this, Banksia children participate in an acknowledgement of country, a story, group discussion and at time an activity, dance song, etc.

9:30am // Progressive Morning Tea: To support agency, Banksia practices a progressive morning tea experience for children. Educators encourage all Banksia children to eat morning tea, however they are welcome to join their peers when they are ready to eat. Banksia children are supported with washing their hands and going to the bathroom before eating. Nappy changes will be completed before children have Morning Tea. Children are also encouraged to put on their own sunscreen with support from Educators as needed. (Outside meals times are also offered if weather permits).

10:00am // Play: Educators will ensure all children have been encouraged to use the bathroom or have received a nappy change before giving the children an option of inside of outside play. Children are encouraged to choose the resources that interest them. 

11:15am // Circle Time: Children will be encouraged to put their belongings away such as hats, coats and shoes. Educators will read the Banksia family a book before lunch time giving the children a chance to relax before eating. At the end of together time all children will be supported to wash their hands before eating.

11:30am // Lunch: Lunch is provided to all children in the dining area.

12:15pm // Toileting: Educators will ensure all children have been encouraged to use the bathroom or have received a nappy change during this time. Following this, children are encouraged to settle in preparation for rest time. Educators will set the tone with lights off, pillows, and calming music.

12:30pm // 1230-300 Option 1 - Sleep time: The sleep room is opened for those who have a nap. It is set-up with relaxing music, beds, and blankets. Educators will offer to pat each child to help them settle to sleep. Educators will periodically check on the children sleeping and will follow each child’s routine in waking them up. All children will be woken by 3pm.

12:30pm // Option 2 - Rest time: Rest time is encouraged for those who no longer have a nap. Each child will be encouraged to rest with a pillow and relaxing music. Books and puzzles are available during this time as quiet activities. During this time Educators will prepare for the afternoon by setting-up child initiated, or intentionally planned experiences throughout the room, and outside.   

1:00pm // Toileting: As children start to wake up or finish their rest period, they are encouraged to use the bathroom. Nappy changes will also be completed progressively. Children are encouraged to enjoy the resources that Educators have set-up at this time.

2:45pm // Circle Time: The Banksia children are encouraged to meet in the cubby to enjoy circle time. Following this, Banksia will experience a variety of experiences, focusing on the children’s feelings about the day – what they enjoyed, what they struggled with, engaging in meaningful conversations to ensure all children feel heard and understood. This will allow educators to plan and prepare for the next day and aim to decrease any stress for children. At the end of this time, all children will be supported in going to the bathroom, washing their hands, applying their own sunscreen and putting on their shoes and any other SunSmart clothing they may need in preparation for afternoon tea and inside/outside play.

3:00pm // Progressive Afternoon Tea: To support agency, Banksia practices a progressive afternoon tea experience for children. Educators encourage all Banksia children to eat afternoon tea, however they are welcome to join their peers when they are ready to eat. (Outside meals times are also offered if weather permits)

3:30pm // Indoor and outdoor play: Inside / outside play experiences are offered during this time. Children are encouraged to choose the resources that interest them. At pack-up time all children are encouraged to help tidy their space, both indoors and out. Toileting: At around 4pm children will be encouraged to use the toilet and last nappy changes for the day will be complete.

5:00pm // Afternoon vegetables: Afternoon vegetables are offered at this time. Children are supported in washing their hands for this.

5:20pm // Indoor play: At the end of the day children are encouraged to enjoy indoor play. During this time educators will ensure all children have their shoes on and their bags are packed with drink bottles and any other items they may have brought to Baringa.

6:00pm // Baringa closes: Children help to ensure all resources are tidied away, and the centre is ready for another day.