Tree Dolphin Childcare Centre is a one-stop education centre that is licensed by the Department of Social Welfare (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat). It is open from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm and caters for children aged 2 months to 6 years. Services on offer also include day care and after school care for children (with siblings) who are enrolled on its services. For added convenience, Tree Dolphin Childcare Centre offers a variety of care options, including flexi-care and weekend care, to suit any family’s needs.
The centre is divided into two rooms; one with a big open space and fitted with an indoor playground, a reading corner and cubby structures filled with age specific learning materials; the other neatly arranged with cots best suited for infants. It is owned and operated by Ms. Cindy, an educator with more than ten years’ experience in childcare and the kindergarten world. The team running the centre is aware of the importance of good beginnings and is dedicated to creating a caring environment where children can thrive and be prepared for a lifetime of learning.
The programmes are designed to support children in achieving the learning outcomes inspired by Playgroup Victoria Australia. Educators aim to provide the highest quality care possible that is considerate and flexible to the individual needs of all children and their families. It is their strong belief that each child is allowed to develop their individualism, unique strengths and sense of self. The whole environment is open, friendly and values the family unit in the centre’s policy decisions.
Play as a Powerful Learning Tool
It is more than just a childcare. Children receive individualised attention to support their learning and development. Educators here acknowledge the importance of learning through play and are committed to the care of the whole child. Through experiences that are fun and enjoyable, children are encouraged to be capable learners across a broad curriculum of literacy, numeracy, language, music, art, movement and social skills. In meaningful play, children get to try new ideas and experiment instead of passively listening to instructions and facts. Opportunities are given for children to bring stories to life through dramatic play, be involved in full body activities to foster muscle development, build their language abilities, conduct simple science experiments, work collaboratively in team play activities and much more. Creative movement classes from Polka Dot Creative Hub and drama classes from Pyjama Drama allow children to imagine and play with different possibilities.
Educators seek to teach the little ones that learning is not just a formal activity but an exciting time to ask questions, work with friends, expand their range of knowledge and just have fun! There is also a strong focus on incorporating character development into the programmes as what children learn now can shape their characters for the rest of their lives.
In addition, Tree Dolphin uses fun-filled educational programmes by MiKids. These programmes are guided by the Multiple Intelligence teaching principles of Dr. Howard Gardner. Hence, they include linguistic, logical and musical elements to them. Furthermore, they boast lots of activity books, e-flashcards and a variety of multimedia teaching resources that make it enjoyable for children to learn.
The fee structure includes nutritious meals prepared in-house for growing children and focuses on the use of fresh vegetables and fruits. Menus change constantly so that children are exposed to a wide variety of foods and textures.
Foundations for the Love of Learning and Life
At Tree Dolphin Childcare Centre, the team strives to develop trust, respect and responsibility among all relationships. Communication is open; educators capture children’s achievements in a logbook, providing parents with a daily overview of children’s progress and daycare experience. It is all about creating a warm and welcoming environment, where both children and families feel right at home. To achieve this, the team is approachable and receptive to the feedback of the families involved. This also involves providing the children with consistent emotional support, helping them develop the skills they need to interact with others in a positive way. The team proactively responds to any learning barriers that children face in their educational progression to ensure the foundations for life and love of learning are formed.
