Spence Children's Cottage

Welcome to Spence Children's Cottage, a warm and nurturing early childhood centre located in the heart of Spence, Australia. With a proud history dating back to 1974, our community-focused establishment was established with the support of the Women's Electoral Lobby.

At Spence Children's Cottage, we provide high-quality education and care for children aged six weeks to five years. Our home-like environment, with a capacity for 25 children, offers a flexible and inclusive learning space inspired by leading international research and innovation in early childhood education.

We understand the importance of supporting each child's routine and needs throughout the day, which is why we design our routines and curriculum with consideration to family practices at home. Our program has a strong child-led focus, empowering children to actively participate in creating their own learning journey based on their strengths and interests.

Our dedicated team of professional educators is committed to forming strong and meaningful bonds with each child and family. With extensive experience in the sector, many of our educators have been with Spence Children's Cottage for over five years, fostering a sense of continuity and familiarity for our families.

By choosing to enroll your child at Spence Children's Cottage, you also contribute to our larger community activities. YWCA Canberra, the parent organization of our children's services, supports various community programs such as housing initiatives, community development, youth engagement, and education to prevent domestic and family violence.

Our multicultural team consists of educators from Australia and around the world, bringing a diverse range of perspectives and experiences to our service. Led by Donna, our passionate and experienced team is dedicated to providing respectful, empathetic, and high-quality care for children, allowing them the freedom to engage in active play and learning. We believe in empowering children to shape their own futures and value their voices and perspectives.

Our physical environment includes two indoor play spaces and a large outdoor play area, adorned with a beautiful flowering tree that provides a picturesque backdrop for play. We have a strong focus on sustainability, with a garden bed and DIY pots for children to experience planting and learn about nature.

At Spence Children's Cottage, we embrace mixed-age learning and play, as it offers significant benefits for children. Siblings can interact, and children have the opportunity to play and learn from those outside their age group. Older children develop nurturing behaviors, while younger ones learn social skills and language, fostering their confidence.

Our routines are designed to progress alongside your child, offering choice and flexibility to create happy and calm environments for them to learn, grow, and thrive. Our educators foster a sense of belonging and create opportunities for children to have fun while learning and developing to their full potential. We support play-based learning, focusing on children's interests and needs to develop their skills holistically.

As an integral part of the Spence community for over four decades, we strongly believe in including the community in our practice. We have developed a true sense of community with our families, and our educators actively engage with local initiatives. In 2022, our Spence Community Garden received a grant to fund local projects, allowing us to grow fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers for children and families in Spence and nearby suburbs.

At YWCA Canberra, we care for around 3000 children each week through our children's services. By choosing Spence Children's Cottage, you are not only providing your child with a nurturing and stimulating environment but also supporting our larger mission of creating a stronger and more inclusive community.

To learn more about what we provide and how fees are paid, please visit our website. If you're ready to enroll your child, simply complete the YWCA Canberra Spence Children's Cottage Child Care Centre 2023 Enrolment Form. We look forward to welcoming you and your child into our Cottage family.