Guthrie Early Learning Centre
Guthrie Early Learning is Tresillian's only long day care Centre with 42 places available daily Monday to Friday. It's based at 25 Shirley Road, Wollstonecraft.
On this page
Welcome to Guthrie
The development of social and emotional skills is the basis for all learning at Guthrie. We know that children who feel safe, secure and loved, will thrive. Our team of Early Childhood Educators ensure the needs of all children are met in a kind and thoughtful way. We consider our outdoor space very much an extension of our indoor classrooms. Growing vegetables from seedlings and tasting the ‘fruits of our labour’ are all part of a child’s experience at Guthrie along with play, tumbling and climbing.
Guthrie values the many cultural differences in our community and we encourage our parents to share their experiences, activities and cuisine from their respective cultures with the children in our care.
Why Guthrie Early Learning Centre?
At Guthrie, we’re a small community-based Centre that prides itself on innovative learning in a beautiful, natural setting, based at 25 Shirley Road, in the grounds of Tresillian Wollstonecraft.
Guthrie Early Learning is unique in that it’s operated by Australia’s largest early parenting organisation, Tresillian Family Care Centres. This allows for cross discipline learning and development between our educators, nurses, and psychologists/social workers.
At Guthrie we foster an environment that nurtures each child’s individual strengths and interests. Our educators aim to provide a safe ‘home away from home’ experience where your child can explore and make new and exciting discoveries every day. Our children’s gardening programs have won many awards for their strong educational approach.
Guthrie Early Learning Centre caters for 42 children per day and opens from 7.30am-5.30pm, Monday – Friday, 49 weeks of the year. We look forward to welcoming your child in the future and encourage you to get in touch for a tour or to discuss admission.
Parent Information
Settling your Child into Care
When your child starts at Guthrie, there may be some tearful goodbyes in the early days but there are lots of things that may help your child to settle in such as:
- We invite you to attend Guthrie with your child for an hour or two, twice in the week before your child begins. This gives them the opportunity to get to know the environment and educators with the security of a parent present before they start care.
- Get to know the educators and Centre Director and speak about them with your child.
- Read the “My Day at Guthrie” storybook (available at the Centre) with your child to help with “getting to know Guthrie.
- Talk about some of the fun things your child will do at Guthrie such as painting, gardening, climbing, etc.
Understanding your child’s needs and being able to meet those needs is important. During your child’s orientation visits to Guthrie the educators will ask about your child and your family to help us help your child make a smooth transition into the Guthrie environment.
Educators will talk with you daily about your child’s needs and learning to be sure we stay connected to their changing needs and interests. We value parent input and feedback. We encourage families to spend time at Guthrie and share in special moments. You are welcome to ‘phone throughout the day to check on your child.
Family Involvement
Parents, family members and community members play a valued role in creating quality care for children and families at Guthrie. Guthrie encourages input and feedback from families, and respects how and when you would like to participate.
Here are some ways you might like to be involved at Guthrie:
- Sharing skills, interests, experiences or resources (computing, building, cooking, gardening, sewing, arts, language skills)
- Becoming a member of Guthrie’s parent and community group
- Assisting with excursions or Guthrie events
- Participating in fundraising activities
- Sharing your child’s home activities with their educator
Communication
Communication plays an important role at Guthrie Early Learning. If everyone knows what is going on, educators and families enjoy trusting relationships based on shared knowledge and respect.
Families may contact us by telephone, email and face to face when dropping or picking up their child or during the day. Guthrie will also communicate through our communication app, newsletters, emails, notices, open nights and in children’s individual trays.
We welcome feedback in the form of compliments, enquiries, concerns or complaints. Guthrie is committed to a fair and effective resolution of all complaints in a timely manner. The Director and educators will make every effort to resolve all concerns and complaints through informal discussions. If that doesn’t work to your satisfaction, you may contact the CEO of Tresillian.
‘Like’ Guthrie’s Facebook Page for updates.
Our App
Throughout the day, photos of your child’s experiences and their routine care needs (meals, nappy changes and sleep) will be shared via our App. The App is private and secure and cannot be viewed by anyone other than you. Your child’s learning journey and observations can all be accessed with your log in.
Speak to a staff member for more information.
Cultural Diversity
Guthrie recognises and respects the diversity of all cultures accessing our Centre. All children will have opportunities to develop an understanding of a range of cultures through the multicultural programs offered at Guthrie.
Cultural awareness is included in the classroom programs on a daily basis through offering a range of books, music, cooking crafts, singing, clothing, play equipment, celebrations and other means. We welcome your input and if you would like to share any information or cultural celebration with the children at Guthrie please speak with your child’s educator or the Centre Director.
Where possible, parent information can be translated into required languages. Guthrie can also provide families with interpreter services if required. Please feel free to discuss any cultural dietary needs with the Centre Director.
Mealtimes
Guthrie is committed to providing nutritious food and drink as well as promoting healthy eating habits. Children will have access to safe drinking water at all times and be offered snacks and meals throughout the day.
Please speak to the Centre Director if your child has specific dietary requirements. Substitute alternative food will be prepared for children where possible. Allergies and medical conditions
Please speak to the Centre Director if your child has allergies or a medical condition. The Centre Director will work with you to develop a health management plan to ensure your child’s health care needs are met.
If your child requires medication while at Guthrie, a medication form needs to be completed and signed by a parent.
The medication must be in original packaging and have either a prescription label or a doctor’s letter (for non-prescription medication) stating who the medication is for and the dosage. Medication must be handed to educators and will be stored in the office in a locked box or the medication fridge. Medication must not be left in children’s bags.
Reconciliation
At Guthrie we recognise and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Australia.
Our educators recognise the important role they play in promoting and celebrating the culture, history and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We invest in resources and learning programs that are inclusive, equitable and culturally respectful.
Our national identity is embedded in early education at Guthrie by teaching understanding and appreciation from non-Indigenous Australians while honouring and strengthening awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Contact the Centre
Jackie Stewart
Director, Guthrie Early Learning Centre| Tresillian
Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to 5 years)
25 Shirley Road, Wollstonecraft, NSW 2065
Tel (02) 9432 4040
