Banksia Room
Our Banksia Room is home for up to 22 children, aged 2 to 3 years.
The Banksia Room is a space for children to explore, play and learn. We focus on creating respectful relationships and through this, we support children through all aspects of their learning and development. We aim to facilitate a positive and fun environment in which children feel a sense of belonging.
Our educators embrace the privilege and opportunity to witness children's learning and develop through their play, engagement in activities and their communication.
We are passionate about education for all ages and having the opportunity to facilitate learning for young children provides us with great gratitude.
Our Acknowledgement of Country
Here is the land, here is the sky, here are my friends and here am I.
We would like to acknowledge and thank the Ngunawal people, the people of this land in which we play and learn.
Acknowledgement of Country Song
Care for Country
Care for Country
Love our land
Love our land
Plants, birds and animals
People of the Ngunawal
Love our land
Hand in hand
+ 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 Baringa in 2022 and was a finalist for the 2023 Educator of the Year at the Early Childhood Australia ACT Awards.
PARKER MCKENZIE
Assistant Team Leader
Parker is qualified with a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. They worked in the profession for a few years before joining Baringa in 2021 and are currently working toward a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
ELLEN AYAMISEBA
Educator
Ellen has over 13 years of experience working in the early childhood education and care profession. She is qualified with a
Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
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.
SASHA BAUDINETTE
Educator
Sasha is studying toward her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. She started her journey in the early childhood education profession with Baringa in 2022.
BHANUPRIYA PANDYA
Educator
Priya is currently studying toward a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Priya started her journey in the early childhood education profession with Baringa in 2022.
CHIARA KARNER-OSTHEIMER
Educator
+ 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:
Collection authorisations (if required):
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.
