A new chapter is beginning for Cire Early Learning. We are thrilled to welcome the families and staff of Lilydale and View St Croydon, formerly of Swinburne Children’s Services, to the Cire community.
Our journey has already begun, and we’re walking it with a view to collaborate. It’s not just a name that makes a thriving early learning service, but the children, the staff, and the families. For some children, their centre is a safe space. For staff, their workplace displays their efforts and dedication through positive atmosphere and the smiles of their charges.
Like our children, we at Cire are here to learn. Already we can see so much potential for sharing between Cire and the new services under our banner, beginning with understanding of how we will approach the next few months together.
This transition comes as part of an agreement with Swinburne Children’s Services. Both centres already have strong foundations within their communities, delivering high-quality education and care to local families. We are honoured by the opportunity to continue serving these families through the highest standard of community-based education and care.
A Smooth Transition
In upcoming months, our focus will be fixed on a smooth and supported transition. We understand the value of long-term relationships and the trust placed in us to care for your little ones. Families know their educators, and educators know the child, habits and all. It’s what gives our centres their warmth, so grown-ups can do the drop-off and continue their day feeling at ease.
Change can feel big, so here’s what we’re doing in the next few months to make it as easy as possible for everyone – families, staff, and most importantly, the children:
- Lilydale and Croydon will continue providing excellent education and care.
- Children’s health and wellbeing will remain our priority, with established nutrient-rich meals and varied menus approved by the Victorian Healthy Eating Service.
- Staff arrangements will stay the same, with additional training and induction provided to familiarise staff with Cire’s practices and policies.
- You’ll notice the Cire name and signage on the buildings, with uniforms to follow.
Shared Elements
With their long-established reputation and dedicated teams, these new services align perfectly with Cire’s mission of fostering a nurturing environment for our youngest learners which encourage exploration and reward curiosity. The centres at Croydon and Lilydale bloom with creative expression through a variety of mediums, reflecting the “100 languages of children” – teaching us how children understand the world around them in ways beyond verbal and written language.
It’s expression you’ll find at every Cire Early Learning service, though the mediums and pieces will vary as much as our children do. Walking through, you’ll see children proudly showing off their creations: drawings, critters made of gumnuts and leaves, paintings done by dancing on paper, sock puppets. It shows their development as diverse, capable individuals who are full of potential and eager to explore their world, and we are so excited to be part of it.
Values
These well-established centres will benefit from Cire’s operational expertise and community ties, and from a shared, ongoing commitment to deliver the best possible outcomes for children, families, and educators alike.
With Cire’s reach established through Chirnside Park, Mt Evelyn, Yarra Junction, and Pakenham, we understand how unique our communities can be. Cire has been providing community-based early learning services for almost 30 years now, and this extension into Croydon and Lilydale is a fantastic opportunity to continue shaping bright futures with children and families.
We thank Tracey McKay, CEO Swinburne Children’s Centre, for her words:
“Cire is a highly respected, values-driven not-for-profit organisation, making them an excellent cultural fit for the transition of two Swinburne Children’s Centre Early Learning services. While we are deeply disappointed that we can no longer continue to support our staff and families directly, we are confident that they will be in great hands with Cire.”
Thank You
We are a not-for-profit organisation, and this voice informs our delivery, continuing a cycle of improvement and innovation that we nurture into a state of excellence.
In the near future, you will experience very few changes at Lilydale and Croydon. Each centre is unique in its cohort, and we understand that change is something to be understood and implemented over time, if it’s necessary at all.
To our existing and new Cire staff: Thank you for your ongoing dedication and passion. Your contributions are what elevate our services and deliver support to our valued community.
We’re confident that by working together, we will continue upholding our commitment to the finest care and education while growing a cohesive, collaborative Cire.
From Gus Seremetis, CEO of Cire Services: “This exciting chapter strengthens our ties to the community and allows us to make an even greater impact for the families we serve.”
We can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together. Welcome to Cire.
Discover more about Cire Early Learning, including tour bookings and enrolments here.
