Mirambeena Children's Centre voted Toowoomba’s best childcare centre 2022

This centre focuses on outdoor play, no screentime, and fostering imagination – Toowoomba, meet the best childcare educators in the region, as voted by you.

Mary McGilvray has witnessed how wonderful Mirambeena Children's Centre is from both inside and outside the organisation.

As the grandmother of a child who attended Mirambeena she said she admired how the centre operated, and also served on the board of the centre as a secretary.

(from left) Kindy students Aloka Roy and Ivy Macdonald with early childhood teacher and educational leader Kathy Mitchell. Mirambeena Children's Centre voted best childcare centre by Chronicle readers. Thursday, March 31, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

When a job opportunity as director of the centre opened up, she jumped at the chance.

Under her leadership and guidance, the staff at Mirambeena were voted best childcare educators in Toowoomba, as voted by readers of The Chronicle.

“I feel really proud on behalf of the team,” she said.

“I’m only a new director since last year.

“It’s a well-deserved acknowledgment of the team’s effort.

“They’re a really caring, nurturing team of educators.”

(from left) Kindy students Aloka Roy and Ivy Macdonald with early childhood teacher and educational leader Kathy Mitchell. Mirambeena Children's Centre voted best childcare centre by Chronicle readers. Thursday, March 31, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The director said the accolade is a testament to the “committed” nature of her team of 30 staff, who dedicate their lives to taking care of the children at the centre.

The centre prides itself on staff retention, meaning the children and staff form special bonds during their time at Mirambeena – some staff have been working at the centre for decades.

Mirambeena also has a unique credit to its name, one that Ms McGilvray says makes her staff and centre stand out from the rest.

The centre is a Nature Play Qld Education Provider, and prioritises outdoor play over screentime.

“It’s about getting them to use their imagination and creativity to create their own play,” Ms McGilvray said.

It’s one of man reasons parents trust that the staff at Mirambeena have their children’s best interests at heart.

The director said it was crucial to have the trust of the parents who send their children to her centre – she knows first-hand how daunting it can be to drop a loved one off in the care of others.

This latest accolade is a sign that their work is valued.

“It shows that we’re actually doing a good job and our families are supporting us by giving us those accolades,” she said.

“This is a great accolade for our centre.”