Australian Enterprise Awards 2025 | 45 Based in Melbourne, Happy Hippo Childcare is a family-owned-andoperated business providing top-quality early education to children in the communities of Annadale, Brunswick, and Lovely Banks. At its core, the company is committed to nurturing the holistic growth of each child it cares for, providing them with a supportive and engaging environment that fosters within them a strong sense of self and an appreciation for diversity. As leaders in early childhood education, the team at Happy Hippo Childcare recognises that the early years of a child’s life are crucial for setting the tone of their later development. In response, the company has developed an outstanding Kinder Program that has been carefully tailored to provide a stimulating, enriching environment to promote personal development. The Kinder Program is offered as an integrated three-and-four-year-old program across all the Happy Hippo Childcare centres, ensuring that growth and development is nurtured in a supportive environment. “Our Kinder Program is designed to challenge and engage your child, allowing them to explore and develop a solid foundation for future learning,” Belle tells us. “We strongly focus on school readiness, encouraging routines, independence, and a passion for learning that equips children for their school journey. Ultimately, the Kinder Program sets the stage for a successful educational journey and prepares your child for a bright future.” Kindergarten is an exciting time in a child’s educational journey, marking the two years preceding school that offers a period of exploration, learning, and development. Children are well-equipped to lead their transition into school through the progressive Kinder Program, comprising engaging activities that encourage creativity, critical thinking, pre-literacy, and pre-numeracy, all skills that significantly contribute towards a solid academic foundation. The program offers a number of benefits to both children and their families; it was designed to complement Happy Hippo Childcare’s long-daycare environment, ensuring that children from working families can be included in Kindergarten opportunities the year before starting school. Children are also encouraged to experience the world around them through the program’s weekly out-and-about programs, which include regular city and beach outings where the children can learn about the world beyond their immediate surroundings. What’s more, the Kinder Program also focuses on providing children with a culturally rich and safe environment, offering them bush Kinder sessions and encouraging them to connect with their country meaningfully. “We aim to ensure that all children feel valued and included in our program and have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in a supportive and nurturing environment,” says Belle. “Our dedicated teachers are passionate about nurturing young minds and collaborate with parents to provide a well-rounded learning experience.” This approach of helping children to become more confident and self-reliant by developing their learning and self-help skills has proven immensely successful for the business; in the years since its establishment, Happy Hippo Childcare has cemented itself as the During their formative years, a child’s brain acts like a sponge in absorbing new information and experiences at an exceptional rate. As a result, early education plays a crucial role in children’s development, providing them with a strong foundation for later academic, social, and emotional growth. One childcare provider presently pioneering this philosophy is Happy Hippo Childcare, a company dedicated to utilising early childhood education to shape bright futures. Belle Spillman, Operations Manager, tells us more below. Best Early Childhood School Readiness Program 2025 go-to provider for childcare and early childhood education services in the minds of families throughout Melbourne. From the number of glowing testimonials left for the provider, there is no doubt that Happy Hippo Childcare has earned the prestigious title of Best Early Childhood School Readiness Program 2025. “I can’t speak highly enough of Happy Hippo Childcare and their warm, welcoming, dedicated team,” writes Kasey. “From the front office to the educators, it feels like a family. The centre is bright and colourful and runs a broad range of activities tailored to each age group. The educators are amazing and go above and beyond to make each child, and parent, feel at home. They’ve given our little one a huge amount of love, and he has flourished in their care.” “I visited several childcare centres before deciding that Happy Hippo Childcare was going to provide the best environment for my son, and I made the right choice!” says Melanie. “The educators are truly special people, and my son looks forward to attending childcare for the friends he has made and the varied and wonderful experiences he is exposed to, but also for the very authentic, loving, and compassionate educators that go out of their way to make each child in their care feel special.” Contact: Belle Spillman Company: Happy Hippo Childcare Web Address: https://happyhippo.net.au/
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