This place is an absolute gem! My kids have the best time at Papa Bear Child Care. So many memories: interactive mini zoo, climbing into a fire truck, military combat day, hatching chickens, African drums, yoga, foreign language classes, trip to a restaurant and Sea Life. The list goes on!

Nadia - Parent

The Papa Bear philosophy is inclusive, rich in early childhood and developmental understanding and provides parents with a positive and coherent overview of your core values.

My husband and I were particularly drawn to the fostering of the Christian Ethos in daily interactions and routines at Papa Bear.  We see this in the carer's interactions with the children, and through the compassion and care they show towards our child.

We believe strong communication and respectful partnerships between educators and parents has been key to or son's positive start at your centre.

Maree- Parent

• Bear ChildCare Bus Excursions: the centre has its very own excursion bus that improves learning opportunities for the older children by taking them on excursions to stimulate their creative minds. Excursions include visiting a local aged care facility, local parks, Bunnings, the library or supermarket. The children love using the centre’s bus to explore further afield.

• Sustainability program: includes activities such as gardening, worm farms, compost bins, recycling, Return & Earn program and major recycling projects.

• Incursions: children enjoy experiences such as chicken hatching, reptile shows, and Indigenous presentations.

• Cooking experiences: the children help with meal prep, collecting ingredients from the veggie garden, and enjoying demonstrations from the centre cook. 

• School readiness program: preparing children for formal education, working closely with families and local schools.

• Munch & Move program: focuses on fresh, nutritious food for the children, as well as an outdoor physical developmental program.

8 weeks - 2 years

The young children are split into an older and younger group to allow educators to tailor the programs to their individual needs. Educators work with the children to assist them to achieve their developmental milestones. A separate sleeping area is available for rest times. The shady outdoor space ensures the little ones get plenty of fresh air.

All of the nutritious meals and snacks are prepared in house daily, following a menu approved by the NSW Department of Health’s Munch & Move program. As a Christian service, the centre celebrates festivities such as Easter and Christmas, and a Prayer of Grace is said before lunch.

The centre cooks prepare everything from scratch, such as chicken stock, fresh rich bolognese sauce, and the fruit and vegetable purees for the younger ones.  Children all bring in a piece of fruit or a vegetable to put in the basket in the foyer, to share with their friends as they learn to contribute to their community.

The children are all seated at the table with an educator and are encouraged to talk about their meal items. The children self-serve their meals, with the educators eating with the children to role-model healthy eating and manners.  The children are also then responsible for clearing their plates in preparation for compost and worm farms.

Some of the children’s favourite meals include shepherds pie, chickpea vegetable stew, chicken stir fry hokkien noodles, spinach and feta spanakopita and fish cakes with broccoli, cauliflower and sweet peas.

Morning

George is eight months old and is starting his day with some messy play. The nursery children are enjoying some finger painting, spreading colour all over the paper.

Lunch

George is sitting with his educator to read some books before he settles down to have a nap in the sleeping area.

Afternoon

After his nap, George is enjoying some outdoor activities with his favourite educator. They are in the sandpit digging and building together.