Sydney Early Education Centre - Cheltenham

Meet Natalie, one of the newest faces at Cheltenham Early Education Centre.

A local mum of three, Natalie brings life experience and a genuine love for the early years to everything she does, currently building on that with her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

For Natalie, every child is unique and capable of learning in their own way. She's passionate about creating a warm space where children feel confident to explore, build friendships, and grow in independence, all while working closely with families along the way.

Want to know what else drives her, and how she spends her weekends when she's not at the centre?

Read her full story: https://www.educhildcare.com.au/team-talk/

Tiny steps that really count 🌱

At Sydney Early Education Centres, sustainability is part of our daily program, not just a special topic.

Our children help grow and harvest vegetables, sort recycling, care for our chickens, and use water-saving sensor taps, all while building lifelong habits of care and respect for the world around them.

We'd love for you to see how these small, everyday moments are shaping the next generation of environmentally conscious thinkers.

Read the full story on our blog: https://bit.ly/4fWbh0k

When children go from calm to overwhelmed in what feels like seconds, it's easy to miss what was building underneath.

In our latest blog, child and adolescent psychologist Sarah Conway of shares how to recognise the early warning signs of overwhelm in young children — and how a small shift in response can make a real difference.

It's a genuinely useful read for any parent navigating big emotions at home.

Read it here: https://www.educhildcare.com.au/overwhelm-in-young-children/

Hi, I'm Penny, Chef at Cheltenham Early Education Centre, Magnolia House.

My path to Magnolia House has been quite the journey: 15 years as a Subway franchise owner, Pastry Chef at W Sydney and Pastry Chef at a luxury aged care residence. Twenty years in food have given me a lot to bring to the table.

I'm particularly passionate about Chinese and Vietnamese flavours, and being able to present food from multiple cultures to the children here is something I genuinely love. I also enjoy creating child-friendly recipes that are low in sugar and high in protein — delicious doesn't have to mean compromise.

Having the space to express myself through cooking and to share that with the children at Magnolia House is something I don't take for granted.

Read my full profile: https://www.educhildcare.com.au/team-talk/

Winter is the perfect excuse to bake something that tastes like summer. 🥭

This Mango and Coconut Slice is a reliable bake that children and adults love equally.

It's soft, golden and made with a flavour combo that was simply made for each other.

It serves twelve, travels well and is straightforward enough to make with children involved.

Whether you're baking for a weekend playdate or just looking for something fun to do on a cold afternoon, this one is worth making.

The full recipe is on the blog https://www.educhildcare.com.au/mango-and-coconut-slice

On the 28th of May, our CEEC children, families, and educators came together to support a wonderful cause through our event.

In the lead-up to the event, the children were actively involved in the preparations, helping to create beautiful decorations and make delicious treat plates to share with our centre community.

A huge thank you to all the families who contributed, attended, and supported our event. We raised $1,590 with all proceeds going directly to the to fund research and lifesaving support for those impacted by cancer in Australia. Your generosity and community spirit helped make the day such a success.

Yoga for children is more than just movement. 🧘

When children learn to breathe through big feelings, focus their attention, and connect with their bodies, they're building skills that stay with them for life.

We speak to Kara from Love Pilates Beecroft about some of the ways to introduce yoga to children.

The blog explores the benefits of yoga for children, from better sleep and improved concentration to emotional resilience and shares some practical ways to bring it into your home, including a free YouTube channel that makes it genuinely fun.

Read it here: https://www.educhildcare.com.au/yoga-for-kids/

Hi, I'm Devika, a Certificate III Educator at Cheltenham Early Education Centre.

My background isn't what you might expect!

I have a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering and certifications in Salesforce. But becoming a mum of two completely changed my direction, and I haven't looked back.

Watching children learn, explore, and grow is genuinely the most fascinating thing I've ever been part of. More exciting than debugging code, I can tell you that much.

I love supporting children to feel safe, included, and confident in their own pace and their own way.

Read my full profile at https://www.educhildcare.com.au/team-talk/

This week, we were honoured to welcome our local firefighters from to CEEC Magnolia House and CEEC Tallowwood Place, as part of our recognition of .

The children were excited to learn about the important role firefighters play in keeping our community safe. They had the opportunity to explore the fire truck, see firefighting equipment up close, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of how first responders help people every day.

As a thank you, the children made cookies and wrote on cards to give to the fire fighters and also the first responders on the ‘000’ call centre.

A heartfelt thank you to our local firefighters and all first responders for their dedication, courage, and service.

We are grateful for everything you do to keep our communities safe!