Space to Play, to Learn, to Dream

JENNY WREN CHILDCARE AND EARLY LEARNING CENTRE  is located in beautiful and tranquil parkland in the heart of Mawson, a residential suburb of Canberra.

Jenny Wren was established in September 1992 as a ‘cottage’ size Centre for 38 children and was upgraded and expanded in April 2005 to a 90 place Centre, maintaining the ‘small centre’ atmosphere.

Jenny Wren is a privately owned and family run centre. The Director, Jenny Morphett has been involved in the care and education of young children for almost twenty five years. Her daughter Amanda Morphett assists in the management of the centre with Jenny’s husband Len Kelly, a retired Architect who continues a keen interest in childcare and childcare centre design.

The new Centre incorporated existing landscape and playground environments, adding new elements and maintaining flexibility for play and learning activities in which children are encouraged to express themselves.

OUR VALUES

At Jenny Wren we value the power of the environment and it’s affect on young children’s learning. Our modern building is filled with natural light and open-planned spaces that open out to our extensive, grassy play areas with mature trees. We believe that the learning environment should be aesthetically pleasing, filled with provocation for exploration.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We are inspired by the educational approach used in the early childhood schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. We aim to encourage children’s natural intelligence, abilities and exploration of their world. We give children the tools to enable their exploration and encourage communication with their peers, carers and families about their discoveries. We document this process in order to make the children’s learning visible to all. We encourage a well rounded development with emphasis on social skills and self esteem. We encourage respect for others, the environment and self.

Most of all we aim to create a place for children to play, to learn, to dream - a happy space for the magical time that is early childhood.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE

• Full Day Care and Early Learning facilities for children aged 4 weeks to six years
• All Meals including lunch, morning tea, afternoon tea and snacks prepared in our Kitchen and served in the Centre’s Dining Room
• Higher Staff / Child ratios than required under licensing requirements, in recognition of the needs of young children
• Qualified staff include Preschool, Music and Art Teachers, Toddler and Nursery Room Staff and our Support Staff includes Management, Housekeeping and Kitchen Staff
• ‘Active Kids’ is an in-house physical development program and Dance Program
• Music and Art Programs with our own specialist Teachers are conducted in dedicated spaces and complement the activities in the Preschool, Toddler and Nursery Rooms

HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday – Friday 7.30 am to 6.00 pm (excluding public holidays)

SERVICE AREA

Jenny Wren Childcare is situated in Mawson close to the Woden Town Centre and centrally located to serve South Canberra, Tuggeranong, Weston Creek and Jerrabomberra.

ACCREDITATION

Jenny Wren has received a High Quality rating from the National Childcare Accreditation Council since 1995.

CHILD CARE BENEFITS (CCBs) are available to all eligible families.

JENNY WREN OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS (OoSH) PROGRAMS are conducted within the Mawson Primary School. It is an established service which includes Before School, After School and School Holiday Care Programs for Primary School age children. We specialise in the care of younger children in this age Group.

CCBs are also available to all eligible families at the OoSH Programs.

Jenny Wren OoSH Programs have achieved a High Quality rating from the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

A Jenny Wren Bus Service runs to and from other local schools for the ‘Before and After School’ Programs.

Our popular School Vacation Care Program is fresh and innovative. Lunch, Morning Tea and Afternoon Tea is provided. Excursions and Special Activities are included in the daily charge. The full, fun filled program is available before each term break by ringing 62864160.

The Values and Philosophy of the our nearby Childcare Centre are continued and adapted to suit the older children attending our OoSH Programs.

HOURS of OPERATION

Before School Care 7:00 am to 9:00 am

After School Care 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Vacation Care 7:30 am to 6:00 pm

We are a member of ACT Children’s Services Association (representing privately owned, independent Centres in Canberra) and we are a member of the national Childcare Associations Australia.