A room for every stage, from six months to school
Children are grouped by age into four rooms: Bunnies, Giraffes, Koalas and Penguins. Every room has its own educators, its own rhythm for the day and time outdoors every day.
Bunnies · 6 – 16 months
Nurturing, responsive relationships are at the heart of Bunnies. We follow each baby's own routine from home as closely as we can, using what you tell us on your All About Me form.
- Sleeps, bottles and nappy changes happen when your baby needs them, not by the clock
- Safe sleep: babies sleep in cots in a well-supervised cot room, and we provide the bed linen
- Bottles: please bring at least two clean bottles, and formula or expressed breast milk, all labelled with your baby's name
- Starting solids: babies are only offered foods already introduced at home, prepared to a texture that suits them
- Play and learning: sensory play, tummy time, music, books and early conversations
Giraffes · 16 months – 2 years
Your child's keen sense of discovery is supported in Giraffes, with fun spaces set up to spark curiosity. Educators follow each child's lead, with plenty of time to move, explore and play alongside friends.
- Self-feeding: children are encouraged to feed themselves at meal times, building independence
- Rest: each child rests and sleeps according to their own needs
- Language and music: songs, stories and conversation through the day
- Outdoors every day, with room to walk, climb and explore
Koalas · 2 – 3 years
Toddlers in Koalas are encouraged to explore, build important social skills and grow in independence, through play, small-group experiences and everyday routines.
- Group time and intentional teaching planned from children's interests, cultures and families' ideas
- Meal times: children serve and feed themselves with support
- Toilet learning when your child is ready, in partnership with you (please bring pull-ups if you use them)
- Rest time after lunch in a calm, comfortable space
Penguins · 3 – 5 years
Penguins gives children a stimulating, challenging program that helps them get ready for school. Children in Penguins take part in our School Readiness Program, and eligible three-year-olds receive free ACT Government preschool every Monday, delivered by a degree-qualified early childhood teacher.
- Small-group learning on children's interests, with early literacy, numeracy and problem-solving woven through play
- Social and emotional skills: taking turns, solving problems and making friends
- Self-help skills: serving meals, packing bags and caring for belongings
- Outdoor play with open-ended, physically active experiences
How free three-year-old preschool works →
Going to public preschool too?
Many Canberra four-year-olds attend free preschool at an ACT public school, for up to 15 hours a week. If your child does, talk to us about which days at Buds & Bees fit around it. ACT four-year-old preschool
A gentle, three-week move to the next room
Children usually move up at the start, middle or end of the year, depending on their age, milestones and readiness. When it's time, we email you and invite you to visit the new room one afternoon, and you fill in a new All About Me form for the new educators. Children move in small groups of three to six friends.
Week one
Your child starts the day in their current room with familiar educators, then spends a few hours in the new room after morning tea. You get a Storypark message each day.
Week two
Your child spends longer in the new room, building confidence and independence there. We keep you updated.
Week three
Your child spends full days in the new room, and drop-off and pick-up move there too. The pace is always adjusted to suit your child.
A courtyard to run, climb, dig and ride
Physical play is part of every day. Our outdoor spaces sit around a central courtyard, with a glass roof over much of the play area.
- A timber fort with a yellow slide
- Bike paths for tricycles and bikes
- A sandpit for digging, pouring and building
- Garden beds and a timber pergola to explore and rest in
- Balance and climbing equipment on soft turf
We follow the SunSmart program: children wear hats and sunscreen outdoors whenever the UV Index is 3 or above, and we check play surfaces on hot days.
Our day follows a rhythm, not a strict timetable
The routine changes with children's needs and interests each day, and babies always follow their own routine. This is the general shape of the day.
Drop-off
From 7.00 am. Tell your child's educator anything important about their night or morning, or message the room on Storypark later.
Morning tea
Children feed themselves, building independence and healthy eating habits.
Group time and intentional teaching
Educators gather children to build belonging, then small groups explore the day's planned experiences and children's own interests.
Outdoor play
Open-ended, physically active play, bikes, sand and gardens in the courtyard.
Lunch, then rest
Children eat with their friends, then rest or sleep according to their needs, on cots and beds with soft music. Children who don't sleep have quiet activities instead.
Afternoon tea and play
More indoor and outdoor play, including dance, movement, yoga and music, with a late snack before home time.
Home time
Educators share your child's day at pick-up, including when your child rested or slept. We close at 6.00 pm.
Fresh, healthy meals cooked on site every day
Our chef cooks every meal on site from a seasonal two-week rotating menu, created with our families and educators, with feedback from Nutrition Australia and following its healthy eating guidelines. The current menu is on display at the centre and shared on Storypark.
- Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack
- Milk at morning and afternoon tea, and water all day
- Children with medical, religious or cultural dietary needs receive a version of the menu tailored to them
We're an allergy-aware centre
To keep every child safe, we can't accept food from home, including cakes or treats for birthdays. Each room celebrates birthdays in its own way. Tell us about any allergy or dietary need when you enrol, and give us your child's medical management plan.
Ready, confident and excited for school
Our School Readiness Program in Penguins builds the independence, communication and social skills that help children settle at school.
- Early literacy and numeracy through stories, games, building and play
- Managing belongings, routines and self-care
- Educators share your child's learning and development with you as they prepare for school
Stay connected with Storypark
Every family gets access to Storypark, where you can see:
- daily snapshots of your child's day
- individual learning observations and summative assessments
- stories from cultural celebrations and community events
- the weekly menu and centre news
You can message your child's room and comment on stories, and invite other family members to view them.