Winyu Early Childhood Service

*Review based on tour not ongoing care & 17/18 month old age group room*After touring multiple childcare facilities throughout Canberra Winyu had the most caring, responsive and happy staff that I have seen. The most important thing I look for in childcare is nurturing and engaging educators and this centre ticked the box over any other.The rooms are large and get plenty of sunlight and the educators are required to come up with activities for the children to participate in if they wish (it is not forced on the younger kids just an option).Personally, I am not a huge fan of large group sizes (I believe it has a capacity of 32 children in the 0-2yr age group). However, it was well staffed and they do not use agencies to fill sick leave etc. They also have a combined outside area that is shared with the older kids. The only issue I have with combining age groups outside is that it is harder to supervise. However, when my 18 month old ran into the yard I noticed an educator (that we had not met and was elsewhere in the yard) immediately went after him and started playing with him. Therefore, they were definitely watching the children.Below are a list of centres I have visited with preference from best to worst (only based on 17/18month old age classes):1. Winyu2. Sage in Turner3. Insight in Throsby4. Blooming Buds Early Learning5. Nipperville in Watson6. Guardian in Forde7. Yerrabi Ponds Busy Bees8. Wonderschool in Throsby9. Lavender Lane in Gungahlin (by far the worst)Some of these childcare centres I would rate better for older age groups. For example, Nipperville was far better for children >2 years old than Insight etc.

Our son has been attending Winyu for 9 months and has absolutely thrived. The staff are all so friendly and welcoming, and attentive to all children in their care. Seeing our son come home with new skills is amazing, we especially enjoy all the new songs he has been teaching us at home. Our son is going to miss all the staff so much when we move interstate, particularly Mary, to say he has a soft spot for Mary is an understatement. I would highly recommend sending your bundle of joy/s to winyu, you won't be disappointed.

I would rate Winyu as the best daycare in the North area, my son was in another centre before and he got sick and injured frequently. Since I transferred him to Winyu, he is always happy and loves to go to his centre. Kiki is a very responsible director that engages with children a lot not just sitting in the office. Educators are caring and interactive both with children and families, they are very creative and there are always interesting learning activities for children. Winyu is doing very well in hygiene procedures and it is a very clean and tidy centre.

I would highly recommend Winyu daycare center - the management is flexible and communicative that kept the parents informed; the team has very dedicated and attentive staff that made children feel welcomed; the activities such as play doh, painting and outdoor playing always brought lots of fun to the kids.