Each morning, many children now stop to visit Timmy, feed her, or quietly watch her swim. For some, this simple routine makes drop-off times calmer and helps them feel comfortable and ready to start their day. Caring for Timmy has also helped children build confidence, empathy and responsibility as they learn what it means to look after another living thing.
As part of our commitment to embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and supporting Reconciliation Australia’s goals, children and educators worked together to create a Reconciliation Garden. They helped prepare the soil, plant native species and talk about the meaning of each plant. These hands-on experiences helped children understand their connection to the land and their role in caring for it – learning that we all contribute to the world around us.
These activities reflect what families told us matters most for wellbeing. In our consultation, 93% of families said outdoor play and time in nature are key, and the most valued themes were learning (93%), health (86%), participation and identity and culture (57%).
Through these experiences, children are learning about care, connection and community – building strong foundations for wellbeing and a confident start in life.