Mother Duck Childcare and Kindergarten Enoggera

Amazing centre. Emma and her team are incredible and the staff really care about your children

We sent our 4-year-old mid-year to Mother Duck and I thought I'd share this review for parents who might be sending their children during the year (not the start), to help in the decision-making process.Our 4 year old absolutely loved his last preschool in Melbourne and was so excited to start at Mother Duck Enoggera.But within weeks he didn't want to go there and complained it was boring and the big kids wouldn't play with him. I didn't want to pull him out (another change) as it was only a few months until the end of the year so we persisted but always picked him up early.What I found during this time was:The centre encourages kids to resolve conflict themselves - a few times I heard a couple of older boys say my little boy couldn't play with them / the building blocks, on consecutive days, in front of the teacher who didn't bat an eye. Another day a boy called my boy a p*nis head meanly and pulled faces. I brought I these things up later with the manager of the centre saying it's unkind, and the teachers need to teach the kids good values, and she agreed and said she'd speak to the teacher about it.When I'd walk in the centre, my little boy would grip my hand and in the end, started crying. He never did this before and went to kinder very happily for years, (not just in Melbourne, but also in Spain), and I found it quite distressing to see such a change.The children don't greet each other, at the other preschool they would sing out hello and goodbye happily. The teachers sometimes greet you. So for a kid that is unsure, you don't feel that welcome when you start the day and there’s a weird vibe and culture sometimes.They don't have many toys, and it was only when my little boy mentioned it, they bought a few more (not many and very basic toys which many quickly broke). At the last kinder they bought new toys every couple of weeks (from second-hand shops even, and learning / interactive toys), so the kids could interact with new things.They don't go out for excursions. Yes, some of the things they do are nice, but they do the same thing every day. Maybe if your child only goes a couple of days a week this is ok. Again at the old kinder, they did excursions eg. bush kinder, to the post office, retirement villages etc which the kids loved.The centre is aesthetically nice, and the girls are mostly helpful and cheerful when you speak to them, but I'm not sure if there are just too many kids, and it's hard for the staff to stay close to what is happening and look out for kids that might need a bit more care.They also put on a nice end of year night, showcasing the kid's work. The soccer guy on Friday too was a hit. The music man wasn't.Overall I had bittersweet feelings about this place, and the last week, my little boy preferred to stay home while I worked a couple of days, rather than go to preschool.

****DODGY CHILDCARE****I have been to this Childcare for a visit prior to enrolment of our child and below are my experiences with attached pictures:1. POOR DESIGN OF ENTRY/EXITAs you start entering to the property from the road, you will encounter with a steep driveway (around 40 degree steep). There is no pedestrian way or walkway to enter to the property. You have to walk throught this steep driveway to enter the property. Not designed for parents who like to walk and drop to their kids or with parent/child with disabilities.2. NO DEDICATED WALK WAY TO ENTER THE RAMPThis Childcare has very small parking area and you have to struggle to park your car due to limited space. The entry to building via ramp is just start in middle of parking space. If the parking is full you don't have proper access to ramp. Forget about getting in if you have a pram.3. UNEVEN SURFACE AT ENTRY GATEYou can notice the ramp end surface at entry gate is not parallel. I was about to fall, if I wouldn't have noticed it. I have seen a lady struggling to open the get and enter inside, as her pram stuck to this uneven ramp end.4. DULL ATMOSPHERE INSIDEAs soon as I entered from the main door, I have noticed the space is so small and much congested. If a person standing in front of office/standing to check-in/out in ipad you will have so squeeze to enter or exit from the door.Now, coming back to actual childcare amenities, services and culture.5. OLD AND LIMITED TOYS6. NO TEACHINGS ABOUT ABORIGINAL AND LAND OWNERS TO THE CHILDRENS7. POOR ATMOSPHERE AND FURNITURES FOR KIDS8. KITCHEN BIT FELT UNHYGIENIC9. HAVE SEEN KIDS HITTING EACH OTHER AND EDUCATOR WAS TALKING WITH OTHER EDUCATORS (This was seen from glass of other room).10. I didn't feel welcoming and appealing when talked to te center manager and educators.After the thorough inspection and introspection I decided not to enrol my child in such center.

Friendly and helpful staff. Well laid out establishment. The grand-kids love it.

I feel the other review is not true and I have to comment.1. I like the centre’s location being close to train station, so I can drop off my son and take train to work.2. Yes it’s a small center, so educators in each room work closely with each other, and cover each other.3. The educators I have met are all loving and caring, and my son is very happy and comfortable with them. Compared to the age of the furniture and toys, the educators who look after the kids matter the most.Looking after kids of young age is extremely hard work and takes great responsibilities. Special mention to Miss Amy, Catie and Audrey, who have been looking after my son very well, and I can see him developing new skills every day. Also, the ladies in office have always been helpful and efficient in getting the admin work done.