Every child is a capable and competent learner
Buds & Bees Early Learning Centre stands on the lands of the Ngunnawal People in Belconnen, Canberra. We are a purpose-built centre where children from six months to five years feel safe, valued and respected, and where families are always welcome.
Nurturing, inviting spaces where children learn through play
We strive to provide nurturing and inviting environments, with stimulating experiences that foster children's learning and development through play. We believe children are capable and competent individuals who learn best when they are connected to their environment as involved learners.
We offer many different experiences to engage every learning style, including child-led experiences, loose parts play, physical activities and sensory exploration, so children develop strong dispositions for learning both indoors and outdoors. Our educators reflect critically on their practice, learn alongside the children and follow the Code of Ethics, so that children's rights and voices are always at the centre of our decisions.
Eat well, play well, sleep well
Healthy meals cooked on site by our chef, active play every day and calm rest times give children the wellbeing they need to learn.
Capable, competent learners
We scaffold children's learning through meaningful interactions and strong relationships, building their independence and sense of agency with the support of their peers and educators.
An open door for families
We form respectful, reciprocal relationships with families, value your input and background, and invite you into every part of your child's learning.
Culture and diversity
Families are encouraged to share their culture with us, and children learn respect and appreciation for all cultures. We embed the 8 Ways of Learning pedagogy to share Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing.
Wellbeing every day
Dance, movement, yoga, mindfulness, music and relaxation help children build a strong sense of physical, social and emotional wellbeing.
Caring for our world
Children learn to appreciate and care for the environment through recycling, saving energy and water, and talking about how they can make a difference.
Sandy (Chui Ying) Leung
“I am passionate about creating a safe, nurturing and engaging environment where every child feels valued, confident and inspired to learn through play.”
Sandy is a qualified early childhood teacher with more than ten years of experience in teaching and educational leadership, in Australia and overseas. She leads the Buds & Bees team as Centre Director, Nominated Supervisor and Educational Leader.
Sandy believes strong partnerships between families and educators are the foundation of children's learning, and she works to keep Buds & Bees a welcoming, inclusive community where every child can thrive. She is always happy to talk with you about your child.
What our educators, families and children say
“As an educator, I feel that it is very important to share and celebrate diversity and children's home cultures to create a respectful and appreciative environment.”Suneha, Educator
“We base experiences on both child interests and intentional teaching. We are open and accepting, celebrating all sorts of events and important days.”Claire, Educator
“We love how quickly our child settled into the service, and we know it's due to the wonderful educators.”Koala Room family
“From learning to walk, to learning to write, we love the great care that we have received.”Penguin Room family
“I feel happy seeing my teachers and friends.”A child, 4 years
“Playing with friends, in the sandpit and climbing.”A child, 4 years, on what they love most
A curriculum built on play, guided by the Early Years Learning Framework
Our program follows Australia's national learning framework, Belonging, Being and Becoming: the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF V2.0), which supports children's learning from birth to five years and through the transition to school.
The five learning outcomes
- Identity: children have a strong sense of identity
- Community: children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Wellbeing: children have a strong sense of wellbeing
- Learning: children are confident and involved learners
- Communication: children are effective communicators
Children take part in choosing experiences and routines, and we use conversations, actions and play as the basis for teaching, with strong intentional teaching to challenge and support each child. Our program also includes language and music classes.
How we plan and share learning
- A weekly program for each room, shared with families
- Daily snapshots on Storypark highlighting children's voices, interests and intentional teaching
- Individual learning observations and summative assessments in your child's portfolio
- Stories from cultural celebrations and community events
- Conversations with your child's room any time through Storypark
If educators have any concerns about your child's development, we'll talk with you and suggest where help may be found, such as a speech pathologist. It's always your decision whether to follow it up.
Qualified, caring and always learning
Early childhood teachers
Degree-qualified early childhood teachers work alongside our diploma-qualified educators, and lead our free three-year-old preschool program.
A consistent team
Each room has its own educators, so children build trusting relationships with the same familiar faces every day.
Safety first
Everyone who works or volunteers at Buds & Bees holds ACT Working with Vulnerable People registration and completes child protection training. Educators with first aid, asthma and anaphylaxis training are on site whenever children are present.
| Room | Ages | Educator-to-child ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Bunnies | 6 – 16 months | 1 educator to 4 children |
| Giraffes | 16 months – 2 years | 1 educator to 4 children |
| Koalas | 2 – 3 years | 1 educator to 5 children |
| Penguins | 3 – 5 years | 1 educator to 11 children |
Ratios follow the Education and Care Services National Regulations for each age group and are met across the centre at all times.
Rated Exceeding the National Quality Standard
Buds & Bees Early Learning Centre is approved under the Education and Care Services National Law and regulated in the ACT by Children's Education and Care Assurance (CECA).
- National Quality Standard rating: Exceeding NQS overall, with Exceeding ratings for children's health and safety, staffing arrangements, relationships with children, and governance and leadership
- Service approval number: SE-40023965, approved for 100 children
- Approved provider: Bright Bees Early Learning (Nicholls) Pty Limited
- ACT free three-year-old preschool: an approved partner service
We keep improving through our Quality Improvement Plan, which covers all seven areas of the National Quality Standard and is reviewed with educators and families.
You can look up any approved service, including ours, on StartingBlocks.gov.au and the ACECQA national registers.
The National Quality Standard's seven quality areas
- Educational program and practice
- Children's health and safety
- Physical environment
- Staffing arrangements
- Relationships with children
- Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
- Governance and leadership
Child safety
The safety and wellbeing of every child comes first in everything we do. More about child safety
We'd love to meet your family
Book a tour to see the rooms, meet our educators and talk about your child.