The sites of Choklits Child Care Centres have been chosen for their size and boast some of the biggest outdoor natural play spaces and most resourced grounds in Melbourne.
Play Areas
We believe getting outdoors is essential for health, wellbeing and development.
Choklits has separate outdoor play areas. A Nursery yard for our 6wks-15mths year olds, our main yard which all age groups use from time-to-time and a dedicated area for our 3-year-old and 4-year-old kindergarten classes to explore age specific activities including big item play, special projects and to maintain their own vegetable garden.
Outdoor space is a big deal in child learning. Fun fact; centres are actually built to specific sizes, usually to squeeze the most amount of children into the smallest space possible to maximise centre capacity.
We take a different approach.
For example, Choklits in Ringwood is licensed for 90 children per day, but we actually have enough outdoor play space for 122 children so there’s never a shortage of space to run, to explore or to have fun in.
The Nursery
Our nursery room caters for children aged between 6wks-15mths, cared for by a diploma qualified room leader and qualified educators. Our seperate sleep room helps ensure our youngest children get good quality rest throughout the day and allows us to cater for each child’s individual needs and sleep routines.
Upon enrolment into our Nursery the Choklits educators sit down with parents 1:1 to begin to learn about the child and to start building a relationship with families that best supports their child’s needs. The Choklits orientation process is thorough where both educators and parents work together to establish a routine for their child.
A good routine is based on several different factors which can be new to families when they first enter care. Beginning with the child’s personality, parents wishes and home life we collaborate on a routine that sets children up for long term success. It’s not only about when a child sleeps, for example, but also includes how they like to get to sleep, their tired cues and if they use a comforter. We discuss any allergies and dietary needs and go through the Choklits menu to ensure families are comfortable with every aspect of their child’s day.
Young children’s routines do change and evolve as they grow and move from formula and/or breast milk to cow’s milk, so we discuss all options including bringing bottles into care. The transition from high chair to table seating and, although a while away for most children, moving from cot sleeping to mattresses are all discussed and worked on when appropriate for the child’s developmental stage.
Communication and documentation is also very important at Choklits. During orientation we take you through our digital communication tools which give parents complete transparency on their child’s days. When your child goes to sleep, when they wake up and when they have their nappy changed will all be available in real time along with regular photos and updates throughout each day in our app.
Children’s goals and developmental milestones are also discussed during orientation with parents and then recorded in our app which becomes, along with in person conversation, a collaborative environment for parents and educators to work together on their child’s progress and learnings.
Our goal is to provide a warm, safe and secure environment for our babies, making the transition from home to care as supported as possible. Constant communication between the educators and parents is a focus to ensure all the children’s routines are consistent with home life, ensuring we continue to establish the child’s sense of belonging. Outside, the children have their own playground which is separate from the older Choklits children keeping them safe and secure.
For general information on your first day at Choklits, please click here.
The Toddler Room
Our toddler room caters for children aged between approximately 15-24 months. This room is led by a qualified room leader and supported by qualified educators. The program ensures that each child’s individual needs are met while they gain confidence in the exploration of their environment. Programming includes a variety of music and movement, story time, creative and sensory activities and plenty of outdoor experiences.
Our toddler educators build on their relationships with the children to support their learning needs. This looks like lots of hands-on exploration, cause-and-effect experimentation and ‘schema’ play (trajectory, enveloping, collecting, depositing).
In terms learning, our educators use role modelling to maximise the natural way the children have of imitating what they see. This also extends to peer scaffolding, supporting the children to help and learn from one another.
This age group really begins to develop their sense of connection to others, which can be seen through the way they take interest in coming together as a small group.
In this room, communication skills build as vocabulary increases, which makes for lots of ‘first time’ conversations and group discussions often prompted by books.
Our toddler group are also the youngest group at Choklits who begin to help our chef, including everything from helping to organise the pantry to planning and cooking their first meal. All under the watchful eye of the Choklits educators, of course.
The Pre-Kinder Room
Our pre-kinder room caters for children aged approximately 2-3 years old.
The skilled team of educators in the pre-kinder room use their knowledge of this age group and strong relationships with the children to develop a learning program that builds from the children’s level of development.
The program ensures the children are given opportunities to build on their independence, have plenty of time and space to engage with different experiences multiple times (this makes learning connections super strong!) and chances to experiment as their confidence builds.
As children begin to notice more about their connections to others and as part of the group, educators facilitate the growth of the children’s relationships between each other by introducing more group experiences and interactions that build social skills.
Music and movement activities, story time, creative and sensory activities, and plenty of outdoor experiences are also included in our daily curriculum.
Three-Year-Old Kindergarten
Our government funded 3-year-old kindergarten class is led by a qualified kindergarten teacher who is supported by a qualified kindergarten assistant and qualified educators. Children of this age group are typically passionate about dramatic play so we provide the children with lots of opportunities to explore and access different resources. This approach allows children to explore their independence, confidence and creativity through play. The children learn how to use a range of thinking and problem-solving skills to use and utilise the materials provided in innovative ways. Our curriculum includes science, technology, engineering and mathematics also known as STEM learning. Our 3-year-old kindergarten class comes together for regular group time throughout the day. They follow a ‘plan, do, review’ approach where the children can discuss things they have been learning including, for example, learning new skills, planning their day or solving a problem someone encountered during the day. The children have the advantage of exploring multiple outdoor spaces, our huge main yard and a separate dedicated kindergarten yard. Although our kindergarten classes run seperate programs, the 3-year-old class also spends a lot of time with our 4-year-old kindergarten class, which invites peer-supported learning. It also assists greatly in the transition between age groups and then later when it’s time to get ready to start primary school.
You’ll find more details about our kindergarten program and curriculum on our Free Kindergarten Progam.
Four-Year-Old Kindergarten
Our government funded 4-year -old kindergarten is led by a kindergarten teacher who holds a Bachelor of Education and one qualified kindergarten assistant. Our focus in this class is to build the children’s confidence and resilience in preparation for school.
Starting school is not just about the first day. It’s a process that begins when children and families start to prepare in the year before, and continues as children experience their first days, weeks and months of school.
At Choklits we focus on helping children cope with these new challenges by developing their learning dispositions and their social and emotional skills throughout the year. Supporting each child’s skills in these areas contributes to their mental health and wellbeing, helping the child build resilience and confidence. Children who are mentally healthy are better learners, have stronger relationships and are better able to meet life’s challenges.
Our kindergarten curriculum encourages children to take on more leadership roles across the centre. They also venture out into the broader community through excursions to help them start to make sense of the world around them and to learn how to navigate within it.
They have access to one of the biggest outdoor natural playgrounds in Melbourne. This enormous outdoor playground invites young people to explore and investigate in a variety of spaces for socialisation, while the indoors provides ever-changing worlds of interactive learning for a child’s eye view of the world.
The kindergarten groups also have their own private yard which includes their own vegetable garden and provision for extended projects and learning through loose parts play which helps establish a sense of responsibility and independence.
You’ll find more details about our kindergarten program and curriculum on our kindergarten information page.
What Parents Ask Us Most About Classrooms and Play Spaces
Everything you need to know about our environment at Choklits
Why are outdoor play areas important at Choklits?
Outdoor play helps children move, think, explore and feel happy. It gives children room to run, climb, dig, make friends and learn with their whole body.
At Choklits, we see outdoor play as a key part of health, wellbeing and growth. It is not just a break from learning. It is learning.
What makes the Choklits outdoor spaces different?
Choklits centres were chosen for their size. Our page says our centres have some of the biggest outdoor natural playgrounds and most resourced grounds in Melbourne.
We do not want children to feel squeezed in. We want them to have space to run, explore, make mess, try ideas and enjoy big play.
Are the outdoor play areas separated by age?
Yes. Our spaces are planned so children can play in ways that suit their age and stage.
Babies have their own nursery yard. Children also use our main yard at different times. Our 3-year-old and 4-year-old kinder children have a dedicated kinder area where they can enjoy big play, projects and their own vegetable garden.
How much outdoor space does Choklits Ringwood have?
Choklits Ringwood is licensed for 90 children per day. Our page says the centre has enough outdoor play space for 122 children.
That means children have room to move, play and explore. For families, it is a clear sign that space has been planned around children’s needs, not just centre numbers.
What is the nursery room like at Choklits?
Our nursery room cares for babies aged 6 weeks to 15 months. It is led by a diploma-qualified room leader and supported by qualified educators.
Babies have a warm room, a separate sleep room and their own safe outdoor yard. We work closely with each family so sleep, feeds, comfort, allergies and daily routines feel calm and familiar.
How do educators help babies settle into care?
Before care starts, our educators sit with parents one-on-one. We learn about your child, your home routine, sleep needs, tired signs, comfort items, feeding, milk, allergies and food needs.
This helps us build a routine that feels close to home. Our goal is to help your baby feel safe, loved and settled as they move from home to care.
What do toddlers learn in the toddler room?
Our toddler room cares for children aged about 15 to 24 months. Toddlers learn through music, movement, stories, sensory play, outdoor play and hands-on discovery.
They also begin to build words, join small groups and learn from other children. Educators use role modelling, play and gentle support to help toddlers grow in confidence.
What happens in the pre-kinder room?
Our pre-kinder room cares for children aged about 2 to 3 years. This room helps children build independence, confidence and social skills.
Children have time to try things again and again. They enjoy group play, stories, music, movement, sensory play, creative play and outdoor time. These simple daily moments help learning grow strong.
How do the kindergarten rooms use outdoor learning?
Our 3-year-old and 4-year-old kinder children use outdoor spaces every day. They can use our large main yard and a private kinder yard with room for projects, loose parts play and a vegetable garden.
Outdoor learning helps children solve problems, work with friends, care for nature and build independence. It also gives them space for big play, STEM ideas and real-world learning.
How do Choklits classrooms help children get ready for school?
Our rooms help children grow step by step. Babies build trust and routine. Toddlers build words and confidence. Pre-kinder children build independence and social skills.
In 3 and 4-year-old kinder, children build school readiness through play, group time, problem-solving, leadership, resilience and community learning. We help children feel ready for the next big step.
How do parents know what happens in each room every day?
We use a digital app and in-person chats to keep parents close to their child’s day. For babies, parents can see sleep, wake times, nappy changes, photos and updates in real time.
We also record goals and learning milestones. This helps families and educators work together, so your child’s care and learning feel connected.
Can I tour the classrooms and outdoor play areas before enrolling?
Yes. A tour is the best way to see the Choklits difference. You can visit the rooms, see the outdoor play areas and ask about routines, meals, sleep, learning and kinder.
We would love to show you how our spaces help children feel safe, happy and ready to learn. Book a tour and see the rooms and playgrounds for yourself.
