Hakea Room
Our Hakea Room is home for up to 12 children each day, aged 0 to 2 years.
Our team of educators prides itself on building solid foundations for a trusting and respectful relationship with each child and their family.
We recognise each family as unique, bringing a richness of culture, lifestyle, values, and beliefs to our room.
We are committed to involving families and the community, in the room’s curriculum through participation, feedback, and events.
We value children as capable and competent learners who are able to choose, explore and investigate in their unique ways and are committed to providing children with a homelike environment that is well resourced with natural, reusable, and recyclable items.
Our Acknowledgement of Country
Here is the land
Here is the sky
Here are my friends
And here am I
We in Hakea would like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as the traditional custodians of the land we learn and play on
Hands up
Hands down
We’re on Ngunnawal ground
+ Our Educators
BRONWYN MAHER
Team Leader + Early Childhood Teacher
Bronwyn has over 15 years of experience in the early childhood education profession. She is qualified with a Diploma in Early Childhood and Care and is a RIE Infant Educarer®. Bronwyn joined the Baringa family in 2022, and is currently studying toward a Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education.
LYNDSEY SAVAGE
Assistant Team Leader
Lyndsey is qualified with a Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education and Care. She is a valued member of Baringa’s Outdoor Working Group and has been with the Baringa family since 2020.
AMIRA HUSSEIN
Educator
Amira is qualified with a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and has 10 years of experience working in the early childhood education profession. Amira joined the Baringa family in 2023.
MIKEELY SWEETING
Educator
Mikeely is currently working towards her Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education and Care and has been with the Baringa family since 2021.
JACKY BLENKINSOPP
Educator
Jacky is currently working towards her Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education and Care. She has worked in various centres before joining Baringa in 2022.
+ 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
- 3 sets of spare clothes
- Attachment items: dummies, teddies, blankets, photos etc.
- Breastmilk, formula, bottles
- Coats and beanies for winter
- Broad brimmed hats (Baringa hats are available for purchase)
- Sleeved tops for summer – singlets do not meet sun safety requirements
- A water bottle that has been labelled with your child’s name
- Senstive sunscreen if needed - we provide standard sunscreen
NOTE: Please do not bring any toys from home as it can be distressing for your child if they are lost, broken, or used by other children. ‘Home toys’ will be placed back in your child’s bag. Attachment items are welcome and will be used at rest times to help bring comfort to your little one.
+ Daily Rituals
Below as insight into our day. It is a guide only and educators will endeavour to ensure that children's home routines are continued. Children’s nappies will be regularly checked and changed every 2.5 to 3 hours.
7:30 - 8.00 // Baringa opens: Children start the day in the Melaleuca Room. Hakea children will slowly move over to the Hakea Room when educator to child ratio allows.
8:15 - 9.15 // Indoor/outdoor play: The children have the option of indoor/outdoor play.
9:15 - 10.00 // Group time and Morning tea: Children are encouraged to join in a small group time and participate in an Acknowledgement of Country. Morning Tea is provided progressively and unrushed.
10.00 - 11.15 // Indoor/outdoor play: The children are provided indoor/outdoor play and are encouraged to have their input with the selection of resources they would like during this time. Educators also use this time to implement international teaching experiences.
11.15 - 12.30 // Group time and Lunch: Children begin to slowly transition inside and are encouraged to take off their own shoes, socks and hats. Children are then encouraged to join in a small group time experience, followed by a progressive lunch, at children’s unrushed pace.
12:30 - 2.15 // Inside/outside play (dependent on UV levels): Educators may also use this time for intentional teaching experiences both individually and in small groups.
2:15 - 3.00 // Afternoon tea: Children who are ready for afternoon tea are encouraged to wash hands and enjoy an unrushed meal with their peers and educators.
3.00 - 5.00 // Indoor/outdoor play: Children have the option of indoor/outdoor play.
5.00 - 6.00 // Pick-up: Children are slowly transitioned inside for late afternoon snacks while waiting for pick up time.
6:00 // Centre closes.
+ Drop offs
Saying goodbye can be hard and emotional for yourself and your child. It is recommended that you always say goodbye, and reassure them that you will return. Once you have said goodbye, it is recommended that you do not come back into the room, as coming and going can confuse your child and make it harder for them to settle. If you need to drop something off you are welcome to leave it in the foyer and one of us will collect it.
Give a timeline if you’d like for example “after your nap you will have a play and I will come and pick you up”. Try to make the drop-off short and sweet. Long drop-offs can cause some confusion as children may think that you’re going to be staying with them, and it will be harder for them to settle when you do leave.
We will try to comfort them in many ways before we attempt to contact you. We have a lot of tricks up our sleeves and will do our best to make your little one feel safe and secure. It is a big change though, and it can be tricky for some children. Keeping communication clear is important, so please feel free to call to check-in at any time!
