Wingate Avenue Children's Co-op - Wingate Childcare 13B Wingate Avenue, Ascot Vale, Victoria 3032

Welcome to Wingate Avenue Children's Co-Operative, a renowned Not-For-Profit Centre located in Ascot Vale, Australia. We are dedicated to providing exceptional care and education for the community of Ascot Vale and its surrounding areas. Our commitment to the community is evident through our recent recognition by the Department of Education, where we have been rated as Exceeding in all seven Quality Areas (August 2022).

Situated on the Traditional Lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation, Wingate Avenue Children's Co-operative acknowledges and appreciates their enduring connection to the lands and waters. We express our gratitude for their custodianship of Country for countless generations and pay our respects to their Elders, past, present, and emerging. We acknowledge that Aboriginal Sovereignty was never relinquished.

Since 1975, Wingate Avenue Children's Co-Operative has been providing outstanding education and care to children in the local community. Our center is housed in the same location as the Wingate Avenue Community Centre and has recently undergone extensive renovations. Our purpose-built environments, meticulously designed by architects, are aimed at optimizing children's learning and development.

As a not-for-profit Long Daycare Service, Wingate Avenue offers early education for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. We also provide Government Funded 3-year-old and 4-year-old Kindergarten programs as part of our comprehensive curriculum.

In line with our mission to provide accessible care and education, 50% of our places are reserved for families from the Ascot Vale Housing Estate. This initiative enables us to offer pathways for families to access high-quality care and education.

Our Center is managed by a dedicated group of volunteer families who form our Committee of Management. Alongside them, we have our Director Alison, Administrator Tarryn, and Educational Leader Belle. This management structure allows us to advocate for and support our invaluable team of educators, providing them with above-award pay, flexible working hours, and ongoing opportunities for professional and personal development. We recognize that our educators are the backbone of our service.

At Wingate Avenue, we prioritize relationships with our families, children, and community. This emphasis on relationships enables us to create a curriculum and environment that genuinely reflects and respects the individuals impacted by it. We strongly believe in the power of play as a form of learning and ensure that children have ample opportunities to learn through all their senses.

We offer a range of additional programs and services to enhance children's experiences at Wingate Avenue. These include a fortnightly music and movement program led by Bree, an award-winning musician and children's artist, as well as a weekly physical education program for children over the age of two, focusing on gross and fine motor skill development. We also work closely with Maternal and Child Health Nurses, Community Support, Food Packages, and other outreach support services to ensure the holistic well-being of our families.

Through our SRF funding, we have implemented an ongoing mentorship and coaching plan to ensure that our center is a culturally competent environment. This commitment aligns with our belief in celebrating diversity. At Wingate Avenue, we welcome educators of all genders and from diverse backgrounds, recognizing that this diversity is a strength of our center. We strive to create an inclusive environment for every person who walks through our doors.

Wingate Avenue Children's Co-Operative is dedicated to providing exceptional care, education, and support to children and families. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our philosophy, our educators, and the enriching programs we offer. Come and join our community, where diversity is celebrated and relationships are valued.