Louise Darham

Centre Manager - Community Kids Melton

“The centre is a blank canvas for educators to display what it is the children are learning throughout their time in an early education setting.”

I began my career in early childhood education and care in 2001 and started working at Community Kids Melton in January 2021. I hold a Diploma in Children’s Services. I have worked in Childcare since I was 18. I moved to London in 2015 to work as a nanny and in child care centres overseas and have been back in Australia since 2016. I like to understand how the cogs work behind the wheels, so I have always worked in both rooms and the office. I have been Assistant Centre Manager for 3.5 years at another Community Kids centre. I enjoy watching children’s personalities grow and develop individually. No two days are the same.  

At our centre, we show the families examples of outcomes of the children’s learning. The centre is a blank canvas for educators to display what it is the children are learning throughout their time in an early education setting. Kinder children are currently learning about our land and the original owners of the land through multiple experiences. Sustainability is modeled throughout the centre with a shared recycling centre for families to donate resources for re-using.

The team is extremely welcoming and helpful with the transitioning of new children in our centre. There is a large multicultural team at the centre, across all ages and life experience to ensure families within our community feel welcomed and represented.  We take safety and security in our centre very seriously. We practice safety measures by understanding the policies and procedures of the centre and holding each other accountable throughout the day’s practices. My Child protection statement reads: “I will ensure every child has a voice and feels safe and valued in our environment.”

Families are encouraged to bring their children for as many orientations as required so they ultimately feel comfortable leaving them in our care. We ensure they are welcomed into the centre and that they and their child feel like they belong. Educators engage with the families and their children to ensure they learn as much as possible throughout the orientation process.

We provide morning tea/breakfasts throughout the year so families can spend more time settling their children into their day. Parents are encouraged to address any queries or concerns they may have throughout their time at the centre.

I make them feel comfortable by showing myself to be relatable, making them laugh and relax when they first enter. I draw on my own experience as a first-time mother to ensure I give them easily understandable information, and clear directions to get set up with the centre. I run through the important aspects of the enrolment form and show them how to find the information required through step-by-step instruction guides.

Fun fact about me is, I have played the flute since I was 11. I have a 2-year-old and two very energetic staffies. 

I look forward to welcoming your family to Community Kids Melton.