One size doesn't fit all when it comes to child care, and Kindoo! is a new service that's putting the focus on flexibility.
Based in Ferntree Gully in Victoria, Kindoo! offers wrap-around child care from 7am to 11.30pm through its various programs, and the flexibility doesn't end there. Parents can pick and choose which sessions suit their needs, and this is great news for those working late, juggling study, seeking Saturday night care or generally looking for that happy balance.
How did Kindoo! come about?
Martina Dunkel is a widowed mum of two, who's also the CEO of Kindoo! She came up with the idea for Kindoo! when she was looking for a way to return to work without taking her children out of their community-based kindergarten.
Speaking to Women's Agenda she explains, 'I didn't want to remove them from [their kindergarten]. But I did need the flexibility of someone picking them up and caring for them until I could return.'
After speaking to other parents, Ms Dunkel realised that she wasn't alone in needing more flexible, wrap-around care. She says, 'I also discovered that there were no centres catering for families that had parents working or attending events in the evenings' and from there, the Kindoo! concept was born.
What types of child care does Kindoo! offer?
In line with its flexible approach, Kindoo! offers casual sessions, permanent placements and emergency care, with these six kinds of care available:
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Before Kinder Care: with this option, parents can drop-off from 7am and at 8.30am, children are transported to their local kindergarten.
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After Kinder Care: pick-ups are available to take youngsters from their local kindy back to Kindoo! In terms of timing, After Kinder Care sessions are available from 1.30pm to 4pm and 4pm to 6.30pm.
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Evening Care: this program runs from 6.30pm to 11.30pm every night (except Sunday) and provides children with a bedtime environment, complete with games, stories and sweet dreams. It's a great fit for parents who have night-time events, late meetings or do shift-work, such as nursing or hospitality.
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Camp Kindoo! Holiday Care: specially designed for pre-schoolers, these full day programs run from 7am to 6.30pm to fit with standard work hours, and offer children fun educational activities and excursions.
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Kindoo! Kindergarten: this in-house kindergarten runs on weekdays from 8.30am to 1.30pm. It provides qualified early learning education and care, with play-based learning activities, like science and exploration, health and nutrition, social skills, music and movement, construction and imaginary play, plus a school readiness program.
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Full Day Care: with permanent, casual and emergency bookings available, this care runs from 7am to 6.30pm weekdays during term.
And the good news is that Kindoo! is cost-effective, as well as flexible. Ms Dunkel says, 'Sessions can be tailored to each family's individual requirements – you only pay for the session and not the whole day.'
This means that whether you're starting a degree, finishing an evening shift or just trying to combine child care with the nine-to-five, this wrap-around approach certainly fits the bill.
