Inside Canberra’s brand new early education centre where they do things differently

Posted on 26 April, 2021

Imagine turning up to work every day knowing that they’re going to supply you with all your meals, based on a seasonal, rotating menu that caters for all cultural and dietary requirements.

Unfortunately, I’m not sure of any specific workplaces in Canberra where they offer such a service, but that could be what your young children get to enjoy every day at Urban Education.

Located in Deakin, Urban Education is a brand new independent early education centre, which is all about flipping the industry on its head.

For founder Kylie Pearce, who first started working in early childhood education more than two decades ago, Urban Education has been five years in the making, starting out as a dream and a piece of paper.

“I had a mind map of ideas and environments that would appeal to the senses of mini humans coupled with my expectations as a parent. It became a purpose, with a need to do things differently,” she says.

What eventuated was Urban Education.

“At Urban, we understand the importance of viewing a child holistically, giving special consideration to the context of their family and community,” says Kylie.

“We know that everyone is precious and unique and deserves to be nurtured to their full potential. So, through the combination of our own unique abilities, perspectives and lenses, we are able to encourage and drive each individuals’ growth, interests and passion along with strongly supporting and encouraging every child to become influential lifelong learners.”

Urban Education’s curriculum is a weekly play-based program, shaped by children, consulted with families, governed by the Early Years Learning Framework and developed by educators.

As well as those aforementioned provided meals, which are created in line with the Australian dietary guidelines, Urban also offers a variety of cultural and physical co-curricular enrichment programs, like swimming lessons, and they utilise the neighbouring Red Hill Reserve for their bush kinder program, which gets the kids outdoors.

They’re also passionate about sustainability, and they offer extended hours from 6.30 am for those parents who need it.

One of the most important aspects of an early childhood education centre is the team. So Kylie’s passion to do things differently extends to supporting the career development and education of her team, and creating a place where staff want to come to work each day.

“Educators can have one of the biggest impacts on a child’s life, and ensuring continuity in educators for children is critical in their most precious years of development,” she says.

Early childhood educator Leah Bartlett.

Early childhood educator Leah Bartlett says the majority of the team had been working at a number of large corporate childcare organisations for years before joining the Urban team, and said she felt something was amiss.

“The children, families and educators weren’t getting the attention or support they required, just because it was a big, fast-paced organisation,” she says.

“When I started Urban Education with Kylie and the team, I was absolutely elated, because it’s a small, privately owned boutique centre. And I know that the children that start off in our baby’s room can go right through to preschool and be able to share that journey with us and their families.”

“It’s also a consistent team, so the children don’t have to keep getting used to new staff. Our educators are all in it for the long haul, and we have a shared vision for our community, which makes such a difference for the children. And we’re not all straight out of school or testing out the career path—a lot of us have already worked in the profession for 20 years or more.

Urban Education is now open for new enrolments, with centre tours available.