Imagine Childcare & Preschool Ballina

All of the Educators have been with the centre since it opened. The supportive and dedicated team bring a breadth of experience in childcare, as well as different cultures with many bilingual Educators. The older children are offered Spanish language lessons as part of the government’s ELLA program.

Parents are offered a complementary barista coffee at drop off time, which is a chance for them to chat to Educators about the children’s plans for the day. The centre also offers parents access to Nurch, a child care loyalty program.

Imagine Childcare & Preschool Ballina is a fabulous facility to have your child attend. We have experienced Educators who have your child’s safety, wellbeing and interests as a top priority. 

Lizz Hensen, Centre Director

As an Educator it can be hard to find a welcoming, inviting centre with a good management structure. We all spend so much time in our work space. I am so glad it is so enjoyable for me. 

Educator

The team values Early Childhood Education as the foundation for lifelong learning. Educators strive to provide holistic support of the child’s individual requirements and blossoming interests in a nurturing environment that fosters each child’s growth across all developmental areas. 

The Educators believe that children are confident and capable learners, who learn best through interest orientated, play-based experiences and provocation. 

The children in this service are recognised as both learners and teachers, trusted to make choices in relation to their learning and wellbeing, as well as encouraged to exercise their independence. 

Children are seen as active participants in creating their own environments to learn within a safe indoor and outdoor program that fosters their wellbeing and development. 

The Educators also believe that children use multiple mediums for communication, learning, being and engaging. In fostering this understanding, children will become lovers of learning, filled with wonder and curiosity.

The children are cared for in the following groups:

• Nursery
• Tiny Tots
• Toddlers
• Junior Kindy 1
• Junior Kindy 2
• Pre Kinder
• Senior Kinder
• Preschool

The centre understands that nutrition plays an important role in each child’s physical development as well as their attitudes towards healthy food.

All meals and snacks are prepared onsite by professional qualified chefs every day. The children work alongside the Educators to care for the centre’s vegetable patches, and these vegetables are then used in the kitchen or for cooking experiences with the children.

The Educators use meal time as an opportunity to share positive experiences around food and to help children develop social skills such as sharing and turn taking. They role model positive behaviours and attitudes, and involve the children in the menu planning.

All food allergies, intolerances, cultural requirements and family preferences are taken into account by consulting with parents when meal planning for the children.

One of the children’s favourite meals is chicken meatballs with vegetables and rice, and they also love homemade pesto with carrot and celery sticks for a snack.