Community Kids Pakenham Early Education Centre

Kinder room has been a let down. Too many issues. Its run more as childcare than kinder, often joining with the 3yo room as well, not just for meals and family grouping. Been there nearly 3 years. The walls are lined with info parents are meant to source like the month plan- nothing clear. Never had child-specific targets just general concepts. Play-based centre uses more free time play than having structure with adult led play-based. They do 1 "mat time" and its optional. They have hat holes but kids aren't taught routine of using them to ready them for prep. Bag area is always a mess with clothes and bags everywhere. Again no routine and care of yours and others belongings. The storage area is a huge OHS concern (resources and "stuff" piled high and overflowing). Reflection of the lack of care in room. Hallway often lined with boxes and trolleys, creating fire hazard for narrow escape routes. It never used to be so cluttered. Belongings thrown over fence regularly and not collected. It's a 5min task every couple days for someone to do. Same as picking up litter in carpark that's been there for weeks that all staff just walk past and ignore. External looks are important too. School readiness lunchbox program went for 1 week so not really getting child ready. Especially if child only attends a couple of days. Used to do local walks and excursions in previous years but not anymore. Incursions are also minimal. Lots of money went into ugrading the centre looks but the programs stayed the same from what parents see. They have a garden which was used for maybe 3 weeks in 2024, kids planted seeds only to have them die and not try again as part of learning and caring for things. Clearly not looked after regularly with it overgrown with weeds taller than the kids. Don't even have a worm farm or compost bins for all the food scraps. No recycling either- all 1 bin. Holiday programs don't run as suggested which is disappointing. Eg disco day but no disco. Messy play but no mess. Younger rooms seem to get more into things and have clearer days. Head injury not reported then when i took a photo of the cut and posted it, I was made out to be lying because staff member asked child 3 days later what happened and he made up a story so he didn't get in trouble- doesnt want a time out or to be in black book from educator. Child can still recall exactly what happened. Newsletter monthly has images from other G8 centres instead of only pakenham centre and half is just G8 content rather than centre, child and program updates. Minimal individual stories posted, maybe once a month. If other centres can do it, there's no excuse. Parents like to see what their child does as well as what everyone does. Still waiting for show and tell photos (could emailed to me) and graduation photos. Xmas party was ok at Crocs but no Santa visit, families had to buy food and no 'gift' unlike previous years where Santa came and gave a gift, food supplied and had Xmas activites ( like other centres do, including when at crocs). We got a xmas bag after Xmas and it was a mix of other kids work which my son identified who's it was. Again teacher said no that's his work even with another child's name clearly on it. Lots of staff changes which then leads to staff moved from room to room to accommodate. 3 kinder and junior has great staff. No biscuits and vegies like carrot, cucumber, tomatoes for late arvo as suggested in some meal plans- just biscuits. Fruit selection in mornings is good. Breakfast done by 810am and is toast that's been sitting for a while and no spreads, just butter. 1/2 slice = 1 serve. Dietry requirements serving not recorded on app like it should be, just same as everyone even though I was told it will "from now on" months ago. Up side is the cook makes cakes or cookies for parents most mornings which is great that this returned as I can taste what sort of things my child is being fed. Coffee machine available but has posters over it so not quick anymore as you cant see if its on or not. Long review but backing my 2 stars.