Creative Garden Early Education Wallan is located at the gateway to Wallan just off the highway, making it an easy stop on your commute. Our care and education centre provides long day care to 120 children with a fully funded kindergarten program and highly qualified educators.

The childcare centre has beautiful playgrounds and our younger children have adjoining sleeping rooms. The building is modern, purpose built and ‘state of the art’ in a tranquil and calm setting. All Creative Garden Early Education centres have a qualified chef who prepares all meals on site with fresh market ingredients. The activities organised for the children are simply amazing with quality that exceeds even the best day care centre levels.

Our commitment to quality child care has the industry’s best staff aspiring to be employed with us. We understand the importance of consistency and stability with your carer and aim to have the highest staff retention rates in the industry. Individual children’s cultural, religious and nutritional needs are catered for and we encourage communication from parents who like to check on their child’s progress throughout the day. We know how important the decision is as to where you are going to leave your child or baby in day care and we guarantee to make your day care experience full of fun and happiness. If you are passing by, drop in and say hello and let us show you the Creative Garden difference.

• Great location on the main road out of Wallan.
• Emphasis on employing local educators.
• Home cooked nutritious meals.
• 4 year old kindergarten program.
• Educational programs in all of our rooms based on the Early Years Learning Framework.
• A natural, home-like, welcoming environment with a strong emphasis on developing children’s confidence and self esteem.
• Strong sense of community.

Our centre proudly offers a kindergarten/preschool program to ensure your child is supported for their transition to school every step of the way. With a focus on language, literacy, numeracy, social skills and more your child will become school ready. 

Natalie McKenzie

How long have you been working in early education?

10 years

What is your favourite part of working at the centre?

It would have to be building collaborative relationships with children and families, developing a bond of trust, support and communication. These strong partnerships with families provide children with the opportunity to find themselves, and to grow to be confident and strong beings. I strive to build relationships with families based on cooperation and a mutual respect for the reciprocal roles that each play in the lives of the child.

What qualifications do you hold?

Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Years Education

What are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about ensuring each child is included and represented within their learning journey here at Creative Garden. All children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. It is my desire to create this type of atmosphere across the whole centre where children can meet their full potential within a safe environment where they are invited to share their ideas and take risks.

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” – Dr.Seuss

What makes your team/centre special?

Here at Creative Garden our team is special because we are inspired by the children, our educators are passionate about what they do. Our team has different strengths and interests that reflect into the curriculum with areas such as sustainability, recycling, art and craft, animal care, cultural diversity and exploring in nature. We believe in working and supporting the local community and celebrating special events for fundraising charities such as SIDS foundation, Foster Care Services, Jeans for Genes Day and many more.

As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

A Teacher

What message would you like to tell parents considering your centre?

Here at Creative Garden we understand and acknowledge the crucial role parents and families play as a child’s first teacher. We pride ourselves on having parent feedback and input into the service and their child’s learning, we have a very passionate team who are excited to be collaborating with families and children and welcome suggestions from all family members. Our service offers excursions and incursions that are based on current child interests and projects to scaffold learning. We are committed to learning and connecting with nature and we have some beautiful outdoor spaces that promote opportunities for children to engage in outdoor play all year round with large undercover outdoor areas.

Rooms

Our centre provides care for the following age groups:

Facilities

Our service provides the following facilities:

• Nappies Included
• Breakfast
• Morning Tea
• Lunch
• Afternoon Tea
• Other meals
• Veggie Garden
• On-site parking
• Dance program
• In-house cook
• Fully air-conditioned
• Large, natural play environments
• Early Childhood Teacher
• Government Approved Kindergarten Program

Reviews and Testimonials

See what some of our parents say about our centre:

“The first day I walked in there I knew it was the one. The Centre had a real homely feel & was exactly how I imagined Child Care to be – bright/fun filled rooms! All of the staff are friendly, helpful and caring towards my son.”

– Taryn

“My 2year old has being attending this centre for over a year now. Staff are very friendly and are always willing to help.”

– Celise

“The staff are friendly and approachable, and are willing to help. I highly recommend eclipse to other parents out there”

– Kia