East Melbourne Childcare Co-op is a not-for-profit childcare provider established in 1992, offering high-quality childcare and funded kindergarten programs at affordable prices. With two centers in East Melbourne, the Co-op follows the guiding principles of the Education and Care Services National Law, National Quality Standard, and the Early Years Learning Framework. The focus is on enhancing children’s learning and development by building on their interests and knowledge, supported by a team of dedicated and experienced educators.
The Co-op values the involvement of families as co-educators, believing that children’s learning is enriched when educators work in partnership with parents. Committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment, East Melbourne Childcare Co-op has a zero-tolerance policy towards child abuse. The center’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of relationships in a child’s healthy development and learning success, with a diverse and inclusive community that thrives on input from all stakeholders.
Recognizing the traditional custodians of the land, the Wurundjeri people, the Co-op has developed a Reconciliation Action Plan to deepen its understanding and respect for Australia’s First Peoples. Through the guidance of an Aboriginal Cultural Consultant and the integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge into its programs, East Melbourne Childcare Co-op is dedicated to promoting unity, equity, and equality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, fostering a future of solidarity and reconciliation.