Wingate Avenue Children's Cooperative

Wingate Avenue Children's Cooperative is a not-for-profit long day care service located in Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia. It provides early childhood education and care for children aged from six weeks to six years. The cooperative is committed to fostering inclusive, diverse partnerships between children and the local community, emphasizing sustainable and eco-friendly practices throughout its operations.

Overview

The cooperative has a licensed capacity of 70 children and operates during weekdays, offering long day care and funded kindergarten programs. The center prioritizes child development through varied programs that support physical, creative, and social growth. It is registered with the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and is recognized for its commitment to community engagement and early childhood education[1][2][4][5].

Philosophy and Approach

Wingate Avenue Children's Cooperative embraces a child-centered philosophy that values the dignity and respect of the entire community. Key beliefs include:

• Encouraging children to explore their local community through regular excursions and neighborhood engagement.
• Promoting continuous improvement of practices to embed sustainability and eco-conscious values.
• Supporting children's rights to freely explore natural elements such as dirt, sand, water, and grass in both indoor and outdoor play environments.
• Prioritizing safety while fostering choices between indoor and outdoor play year-round.
• Utilizing recycled and repurposed materials extensively to minimize environmental footprint and encourage sustainable attitudes[3].

Programs and Community Engagement

The cooperative offers various specialized programs including:

• B Minor Music: A biweekly music and movement program led by an award-winning children's musician to enhance confidence and creativity.
• Sports 4 Kinders: A weekly physical education program focused on developing gross and fine motor skills for children aged over two years.
• Collaboration with community services such as Maternal and Child Health Nurses and local outreach support programs.
• Partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence for mentorship and cultural competence coaching[1].

Governance and Registration

Wingate Avenue Children's Cooperative operates as a registered charity under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), focusing on early childhood education and community care. Its Australian Business Number (ABN) is 24679319776RR0001, reflecting its formal nonprofit status and community-oriented mission[2].

Wingate Avenue Children's Cooperative stands as a community-focused childcare provider, deeply integrating educational development with sustainability and social inclusiveness in its early childhood programs.

[1] https://www.wingatechildcare.org [2] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/f80c2a88-3aaf-e811-a961-000d3ad24182/profile [3] https://www.wingatechildcare.org/about_us [4] https://www.acecqa.gov.au/resources/national-registers/services/wingate-avenue-childrens-co-op [5] https://kindicare.com/childcare/centres/Australia/VIC/3032/ascot-vale/wingate-avenue-childrens-co-op