OUR HISTORY
In 1984, the Department of Community Welfare recommended that Community Houses be established in each of the Departments six geographic regions evolved from a concept of Community Houses as the “foundation” of welfare service delivery. These Community Houses needed to have a child care sector and at the time the demographic data primarily relating to child population was used to identify the most appropriate locations, Bunbury was nominated as the location.
The Child Care division of Milligan House commenced on the 7th April 1986. When the child care centre opened it was licensed for 27 children only. Milligan became known for its family like atmosphere and inclusive policies.
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In 2002 as the Bunbury community was growing Milligan House Child Care took over the original building extending their license to 43 and Milligan Community Learning and Resource Centre moved into brand new facilities. This was to be able to cater for the high demand of children and to support more people in need with courses and life skills as it is known today.
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In 2010, Bunbury Community and Child Care Association (which comprised of Milligan House Child Care Centre, Milligan Community Centre and Bunbury After School Care) was dissolved. Milligan House Child Care Centre and Milligan Community Learning and Resource Centre continued as their own identities.
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The main reason Milligan House Child Care and Community started was to enrich the quality of life for Bunbury’s individuals, families, groups and community by providing a service aimed at physical, emotional, intellectual and social growth and development.
Milligan House Child Care Centre offers care for children 6 weeks to 6 years. We are licensed for 49 children a day and provide quality care that caters for each individual child. Milligan House Child Care Centre is a community based, not-for-profit organisation managed by a committee. The Centre is open between the hours of 7:15am and 5:45pm, Monday to Friday, and is operational 51 weeks of the year.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We are a community based centre that is committed to providing high quality care and education to our children. We aim to provide an atmosphere that is homely, nurturing and enjoyable for all our children and families.
We offer a safe and supportive environment where children are valued and encouraged to develop to their full potential.
Our Educational Program
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Milligan House Child Care Centre provides a rich and stimulating environment that focuses on play based learning in line with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
Our practices support the EYLF strategies, “Being, Belonging and Becoming” and the 5 recommended learning outcomes. We believe children are unique individuals who develop at their own pace and by providing enriching, meaningful and realistic opportunities children will explore, create, discover and imagine to reach their full potential.
Our programs reflect planned and spontaneous experiences designed to support children’s development in all domains ensuring the children are actively involved in their own learning. We support and encourage the development of creative skills and social skills through opportunities for sensory play through a wide variety of materials.
We believe that all children should have the opportunity to learn from peers of all abilities and to serve as teachers for others. We believe that the process is more important than the final product. Routines are designed to be flexible and embrace children’s individual learning. We respect each child’s culture and family values, which we incorporate into our multicultural and anti-bias program. The centre will provide and encourage experiences and activities that promotes sustainable practices.
Through EYLF, the program will see educator’s use intentional teaching and encourage children to learn and develop through play. Our program aims to be inclusive, display cultural competency and offer diversity reflecting our community.
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Relationships with the Children
Milligan House see’s children as unique and capable individuals. We ensure children can develop confidence and positive self-esteem through supportive educators and secure environments. We believe that children should be treated with respect and dignity, to feel safe and secure, to have opportunities for learning, decision-making and social interaction with their peers.
At Milligan House, educators implement an inclusive approach to positively support children’s growth of their identity, self-esteem and critical thinking. We pride ourselves on our continuous protective behaviour conversations with the children, helping to create a safe place where children are able to communicate their needs and have these needs met.
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Partnerships with the Families
At Milligan House Child Care Centre we feel family is the most important and influential aspect of the lives of young children. We aim to foster and develop positive relationships with each family and we will work in partnership with these families as it is vital in ensuring stability and progression in a child’s learning, development and future success. We will always listen to and learn from families in order to acknowledge and build upon the children’s strengths and competencies and support them in their role of nurturing their children.
At Milligan House Child Care Centre we will develop positive relationships based on mutual trust and open communication with the families. We will maintain confidentiality at all times and we will respect the rights of each family. We believe that encouraging and inviting families to be an active part of their child’s learning journey and time at the centre allows families to be an active part of the Milligan House Community.
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Educators
At Milligan House educators spend time getting to know each child, developing trust and ensuring the child feels safe and secure. All educators’ voices are respected and treated equally, and they are encouraged to express their own personal qualities and interests. Milligan House Child Care Centre believes our teacher and educators are responsible for the well-being, safety and learning of every child. Our educators provide information not only through mentorship and role modelling but through small group activities and hands on learning activities. Each educator will be encouraged to adopt and act in accordance with the Code of Ethics and also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Our educators strive for continuous lifelong learning through a culture of continuous professional development courses and assessing and reflecting on their own performance.
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Physical Environment
We strive to protect and enhance the existing natural environment and minimise the impact on our surroundings whilst encouraging a culture that is committed to sustainable development. Educators create and maintain safe, healthy environments, spaces and places which enhance children’s learning and development. We create environments that foster a sense of belonging that support our children’s interests and reflects our community. Our educators ensure all learning environments within the centre reflect children’s current learning journey’s and adapt it according to suite the children’s interests.
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Community
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At Milligan House we believe that every child has equal value to our program. We actively work to support inclusion of children with diverse abilities and disabilities as well as those from all socio-economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Milligan House ensures we connect with people, services and agencies within the community that support children and families. We ensure each educator learns about the community as a whole and has a clear vision of the culture and incorporates that into the centre curriculum.
MEET OUR TEAM
Tessa Stewart
Centre Director
Educational Leader
Jacinta Tartaglia
Qualified Educator
Tiarna Morton
Qualified Educator
Theresa Bowlden
Qualified Educator
Teneisha Knight
Certificate III Educator
Neil Morrison
Maintenance/Gardener
Alicia Brockman
2IC
Amy Briedis
Qualified Educator
Kirralee Davies
Qualified Educator
Yvonne Voo
Qualified Educator
Shelby Zappia
Qualified Educator
Madison Bail
Certificate III Educator
Penelope Spurling
Administrator
Nicole Adkins
Qualified Educator
Marg Keeler
Qualified Educator
Robyn Kop
Qualified Educator
Jodie Murfit
Certificate III Educator