ECEC Provider in Focus: Dripstone Children’s Centre

Dripstone Children’s Centre Inc. is a 68 place community-based childcare centre, located in the leafy northern suburb of Brinkin, Darwin in the Northern Territory.

What is the history of Dripstone Children’s Centre? 

Dripstone was established in 1986, and remains a not-for-profit community run service which is governed by a voluntary Parent Management Committee, who are supported in their decision making by a children’s committee (composed of children in the centre) which meets monthly to consult on events, decisions and actions which impact the children.

What is the Dripstone Children’s Centre vision and approach to learning?

“Putting children at their best advantage; seen, heard and unhurried” is at the heart of the Dripstone vision and approach to learning.

The team uses innovative approaches which view children as “capable and wildly complex whole beings requiring trust, freedom, and autonomy,” when it comes to decision making and programming.

At Dripstone educators advocate for “a child’s right to a childhood unhurried.” 

Attunement (being aware of, and responsive to, one another) is valued at Dripstone. 

“We believe that relationships with attuned adults are critical for all children, every day. We accept all behaviour as communication and we promote trust and understanding between adults and children through attunement,” information on the website notes.

Are there any unique aspects to the Dripstone Children’s Centre offer? 

Children at Dripstone are not grouped into ages or rooms, as is the case with many services. Instead children have the freedom to choose where and with whom they engage. 

Routine rituals are incorporated into the daily rhythm at the service, with special practices which are designed to help children to navigate emotionally important tasks or transitions such as mealtime, sleep and rest, nappy changes and toileting, or entering and exiting the service. 

Learn more about Dripstone Children’s Centre here.