Every child is a capable and competent learner
Bright Buds Early Learning Centre stands on the lands of the Ngunnawal People in Symonston, Canberra. We are a purpose-built centre where children feel safe, valued and respected, and where families are always welcome.
Nurturing, inviting spaces where children learn through play
We believe children learn best when they are connected to their environment as involved learners. We offer many different experiences to suit every learning style, including child-led play, loose parts, physical activity and sensory exploration, so children develop strong dispositions for learning both indoors and outdoors.
Our philosophy is reviewed with educators, families and children, and it includes the children's own words about what they love at Bright Buds.
Eat well, play well, sleep well
Healthy meals cooked on site, active play every day and calm rest times give children the wellbeing they need to learn.
Capable, competent learners
Every child is viewed as a capable learner with their own way of learning and developing. Their interests, strengths and needs shape our program.
An open door for families
We build respectful, reciprocal relationships with families and have an open-door policy, inviting you into every part of your child's learning.
Culture and diversity
Families share their cultures and traditions with us, and children learn respect and appreciation for all cultures. We embed the 8 Ways pedagogy to share Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing.
Learning through play
Child-led experiences, loose parts, physical activity and sensory exploration, indoors and out, build curiosity and confidence.
Reflective educators
Our team reflects critically on its practice, follows the Code of Ethics and advocates for children's voices. We welcome feedback from families and our community.
Divya Mahajan
“We believe in scaffolding the children's learning through meaningful interactions and strong relationships, strengthening their independence and sense of agency with the support of their peers and educators.”
Divya is a qualified early childhood teacher and leads the Bright Buds team as Centre Director and Nominated Supervisor. She works closely with our educators and families so that every child's interests, strengths and culture are part of their learning, and she is always happy to talk with you about your child.
What our educators and families say
“Our service strives to ensure that children's interests, strengths and needs are always considered in our programming, and that every child is viewed as a capable and competent learner.”Jenna, Educator
“We strive to create a safe, trusted and nurturing environment where every child feels valued and respected, with their voices and perspectives genuinely heard.”Riley, Educator
“I love that the service creates such a beautiful, safe, fun and loving environment for my child to learn in.”Bilby Room family
“It is really lovely to see the children learning, playing and building confidence in such a supportive environment.”Wallaby Room family
A curriculum built on play, guided by the Early Years Learning Framework
Our program follows Australia's national learning framework, Belonging, Being and Becoming: the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF V2.0), which supports children's learning from birth to five years and through the transition to school.
The five learning outcomes
- Identity: children have a strong sense of identity
- Community: children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Wellbeing: children have a strong sense of wellbeing
- Learning: children are confident and involved learners
- Communication: children are effective communicators
How we plan and share learning
- Daily snapshots on Storypark highlighting children's voices, interests and intentional teaching
- A weekly program for each room, shared with families
- Individual learning observations and summative assessments in your child's portfolio
- Stories from cultural celebrations and community events
- Conversations with your child's room any time through Storypark
Qualified, caring and always learning
Early childhood teachers
Our free three-year-old preschool program is delivered by a degree-qualified early childhood teacher.
A consistent team
Each room has its own educators, so children build trusting relationships with the same familiar faces every day.
Safety first
Everyone who works or volunteers at Bright Buds holds ACT Working with Vulnerable People registration and completes child protection training. Educators with first aid, asthma and anaphylaxis training are on site whenever children are present.
| Room | Ages | Educator-to-child ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Wombat | 6 weeks – 12 months | 1 educator to 4 children |
| Bilby | 1 – 2 years | 1 educator to 4 children |
| Emu | 2 – 3 years | 1 educator to 5 children |
| Wallaby | 3 – 4 years | 1 educator to 11 children |
| Kangaroo | 4 – 5 years | 1 educator to 11 children |
Ratios follow the Education and Care Services National Regulations for each age group and are met across the centre at all times.
Approved, regulated and committed to quality
Bright Buds Early Learning Centre is approved under the Education and Care Services National Law and regulated in the ACT by Children's Education and Care Assurance (CECA).
- National Quality Standard rating: Meeting NQS, with Exceeding ratings for staffing arrangements and for partnerships with families and communities
- Service approval number: SE-00009842
- Approved provider: Bright Bees Early Learning (Nicholls) Pty Limited, since March 2025
- ACT free three-year-old preschool: an approved partner service
We keep improving through our Quality Improvement Plan, which covers all seven areas of the National Quality Standard and is reviewed with educators and families.
You can look up any approved service, including ours, on StartingBlocks.gov.au and the ACECQA national registers.
The National Quality Standard's seven quality areas
- Educational program and practice
- Children's health and safety
- Physical environment
- Staffing arrangements
- Relationships with children
- Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
- Governance and leadership
Child safety
The safety and wellbeing of every child comes first in everything we do. More about child safety
We'd love to meet your family
Book a tour to see the rooms, meet our educators and talk about your child.