By Natasha Fujimoto
TUCKED away in Kialla, there is an exceptional Family Day Care Centre called Kanga Kids and it is a veritable wonderland of learning through play. It is also a cosy family home, bringing with it warmth and security, especially for a preschooler in care.
Karen Eldred has run Kanga Kids Family Day Care for 14 years and it would be hard to find a more passionate, and knowledgeable educator anywhere else in Victoria, and Family Day Care Australia agrees.
For the third time, Karen has recently been awarded as the regional winner in the 2022 Excellence in Family Day Care awards. Nominated by parents at her centre, Karen was one of 3,400 nominees, with only 13 of those going onto win a regional award for excellence in Victoria.
With a playroom to die for and a cosy library inside and a backyard more akin to an adventure playground, Karen inspires with what she provides her children, as she says,
“I have put so much effort and energy into what I do. I want the children to feel at home, knowing what to expect. Routine makes them feel safe and allowing them to participate in simple, everyday tasks is good for their confidence and brings out their best qualities.”
Catering to her children’s individuality and bourgeoning interests, Karen says, “I’m constantly thinking about what we are going to do next and how I am going to extend their learning through their interests. I have a little boy who loves trains, and a few weeks ago I took him and the children on an excursion by train to the train park in Seymour. When his mum told him we were going to do this, he cried with joy.”
