::: sunrise day care and kindergarten
Last month we ran a workshop for the staff at Sunrise Child Care and Kindergarten in North Fitzroy …
a beautiful centre on a residential street …
tucked away at the back of a typical inner city house, long and narrow with a verandah at the front.
We so loved the vibes and the multicultural feel to the center …
that we asked if we could come back when the children were there to do a post for our Education Directory.
Yesterday was the day we tackled the peak hour traffic – never a joy when you live in the outer suburbs – and arrived in time to have some morning circle fun with the children and staff.
As the centre runs an indoor/outdoor program, the early birds were already outside enjoying the crisp morning air.
When morning circle time was imminent, two children gleefully rang small hand bells to tell the others it was time to come in – oh the power of the bell handler! We love their round mat – just perfect for forming a circle of children!
The session was a beautiful mix of love and joy. They sang a few funny, silly songs …
full of lots of actions and movement …
and were accompanied by Didi on the guitar with some beautiful soothing songs and music…
to lead the children into their meditation. This was finished with a chant, “Baba Nam Kevalam“ which translates as “Love is all there is”. It was so joyful to watch the children’s serene faces.
When the ‘morning circle’ was over the children were able to choose where they wanted to play, inside or out.
We went outside and enjoyed seeing the children experimenting with bicarb soda and vinegar in the sandpit.
Evidently they had been talking about pirates a little while back, which led to digging for treasures in the sandpit which led to making volcanoes (as it does!)
The teachers showed the children the volcano effect of the vinegar and bicarb mix one day and then yesterday …
supplied them with a large amount of these cheap ingredients for them just to go for it!
There was lots of turn taking, discussion, cooperation and hands on learning while the staff stood back, just being there in the background to offer support if they needed it.
Just out of interest, the vast majority of children who were engaging in this activity were boys and they kept at it for a very long time …
using water from their water tank when the vinegar had all been used.
It ended up being an irresistible concoctionfest!
The yard at Sunrise is fairly compact, just a largish house backyard, but they had plenty of activities to play with, or under.
Look at this great teepee made from sticks – we love using sticks!!!
And how about this huge toadstool the children made from “glue and newspaper” (paper mache).
They have a large plane tree whose branches just about covered the whole yard and while it is bare at the moment, will create fabulous shade in the hot months.
As there is limited space for garden beds the yard was enhanced by the use of mini gardens in pots and hangers.
They also have a Harmony Garden which they recently planted out with vegetables.
Carrot - Lettuce - Turnip
The children even wrote out the labels for the veggies so everyone knows what is growing.
As we are great believers in bringing the inside out and the outside in …
it was lovely to see the magnificent undercover verandah being used to it’s full potential …
even the fruit is set up outside so the children can eat whenever they feel like it.
Not only was the verandah well used, it was beautifully decorated with swooshes of colourful fabric hanging from the ceiling……
fresh flowers at the work stations,
gorgeous child sized furniture …
and the children’s permanent group art works on the walls.
Inside, the children were making clay sculptures as part of a focus on sculpture.
They were painting at a low, easily accessible easel …
and drawing at the drawing table …
which you’ll find in the ‘library room’ across the verandah!.
Back in the main room they had a puzzle table …
and a beautiful group mosaic made with dried autumn leaves, above this lovely low mirror, perfectly positioned for a quick view of oneself!
The dinosaur imaginative play setup incorporated one of our favourite natural props
- a palm leaf …
and we love this irresistible, nature collage!
Something else we loved was this cosy bus drama corner …
and cars with a steep ‘road’ which is extended onto the carpet with chalk …
and how could we not love their coffee filter autumn leaves too.
At their light box they have those great gel letters and also mirrored ones which we haven’t seen before.
Everywhere we looked children were busy, engaged and very happy.
The lovely staff at Sunrise are extremely warm, dedicated and passionate about their children, kindergarten and program.
Sunrise Child Care and Kindergarten, which caters for 3 to 5 year olds, is a warm and inviting centre located in the Yarra City Council at 199 Clauscen St, North Fitzroy VIC 3068 (Melway Ref: Map 30, C10)
This information has been added to our Education Directory.
Tags: Yarra City Council
The fabric handing from the ceiling was great! What an inviting place to play and learn.
::: The colours throughout this beautiful space are awesome Scott!
OMG, I’m in love with that centre!!!!
::: Oh-my-good-golly-gosh so are we Narelle!
Wow, what a beautiful daycare! I am furiously scribbling notes about all of their great ideas for our own playroom.
::: Good on you Jamie! There are certainly plenty of great ideas here at Sunrise!
Looks very warm and inviting! Love the use of timber everywhere!
::: It is a really lovely kinder Karen and you’re right timber certainly adds to the warmth of the place.
I might just have to play there myself. That’s one of the best verandahs I’ve ever seen.
::: It’s a ripper Greg, that’s for sure!
Hi! It´s the first time I visit your blog; it´s wonderfull!! I´m sure I´ll catch a lot of ideas from it.
About this centre, It´s just like the one I´d like for my son to go. I wish there was one like it here in my town.
(Sorry if my english is not good enough; I´m from Spain).
It gives off such a cosy, inviting, warm and nurturing feeling – and like Greg says, it would be hard to beat that for a verandah! I also love the pictures of the kids in the big frames, and the bus. Lovely.
::: Yes, yes, yes and yes Jenny … We agree with it all!
Hi! It´s the first time I visit your web page. It´s marvellous!! I´m sure I´ll catch a lot of interesting ideas from it.
About this center, It´s the one I´ve always dreamt for my son. I wish there was one like it here in my town.
(sorry about my english; I´m from Spain)
::: Judit, la bienvenida a ideas irresistible. Esperamos que siga disfrutando de lo que tenemos que ofrecer.
(Judit, welcome to irresistible ideas. We hope you continue to enjoy what we have to offer.)
How beautiful and cozy. The lovely group art work, the large photos down low, the warmth of the timber. I want the Harmony Garden, it’s so cute. The veranda space sheltered but accessible, like an inside outside room.
::: Lu-Ann the garden is really delightful and we LOVE that it is called a Harmony Garden … so beautiful!
This kinder has a wonderful serene feel to it….I loved looking at all the nooks and crannies. Kids would love playing and learning in this environment.
::: It felt very much like a home Ruth … really cosy.
Thank you for such a wonderful blog of this amazing preschool.
My kids have attended this centre & the staff are truly incredible with children. Everything about it, we love!!! Thank you for praising their brillance, it’s well deserved…Jacqui
::: Thank you for your comment Jaqui. It is really nice to hear that you and your family are so happy there … It certainly comes across as a beautiful and peaceful place for everyone!
My now nine year old attended Sunrise, and my four year old is attending now. It is a unique and nurturing place. My family will be sad to say goodbye to our Sunrise family at the end of the year.
::: We understand how that will feel Michelle. While we were visiting, several ‘parents’ arrived to drop off children and the warmth and friendship between the staff and families was very evident to us.
My three and a half year old attends Sunrise and its everything it looks to be, its warm loving and nurturing. I love spending time at ‘school’ with my son and I know that he loves it even more, he’s thriving and its amazing to watch.
::: Megan that’s great to hear. It’s one thing for us to like what we see and feel but the real proof is in the satisfaction of families and children who attend these wonderful places of learning. We’ve heard nothing but glowing reports about Sunrise thus far!
Whoever wrote this, you know how to make a good arltice.
I love the look its not the factory tan every thing set up I got to spend my time in while taking ECE classes. I love the yellow barrel and the rainbow material hanging and so much more
::: It is certainly a beautiful environment techkim … And we agree that material is certainly GORGEOUS!
[...] inspiring environment: Sunrise Day Care and Kindergarten. I love the wood panels and the hallway with the rainbow fabric in [...]
I am a preschool teacher from New Zealand and I would love to work at such a well resourced, great looking preschool. beautiful!
::: It’s wonderful isn’t it Jo!?
