what else happens here

Bambini Programs

Our workshops and events offer a tailored early learning experience that focuses on your child’s unique learning and development, now and into their future.

Friends of the Bush

Our Friends of the Bush program is a great way to demonstrate to children that they can be active citizens of the community. The Friends of the Bush program is an opportunity for the children to learn how they can help build and protect the habitat for native wildlife, as well as gain on-ground skills such as identifying native flora and fauna.

Our educators implement child-friendly and age-appropriate activities such as planting a variety of trees and identifying traditional Aboriginal ‘bush tucker’.

An educator holding a handful of dark soil in her palm while three children in Bambini hats lean in to look at it
soil, up close

Our pen pal project

At Bambini of Lilyfield, we are proud to run a pen pal project for the children.

Our pen pal project is a wonderful opportunity for the children to share their stories and develop new friendships with children somewhere quite different from Lilyfield.

The project also promotes key skills such as reciprocation, empathy and mutual concern.

Two educators, one playing a ukulele, sitting on the rug with toddlers and their drums in front of a large world map and flags poster
the world, on the wall

Incursions and Excursions

Throughout the year, our educators take the children on exciting incursions such as Bollywood dancing, Kindifarm, Animals of the Dreaming from Taronga Zoo and excursions to observe the world around them and develop lifelong skills. We take the children on excursions to art galleries, as well as local areas and community services such as Woolworths – where behind the scenes operations are explained in regards to fresh fruit and veges – the fire station, nursing homes and bush care.

A child in a green Bambini hat smiling beside a grey rabbit during an animal visit to the centre
gentle hands, please
their space, their rules

Bambini Atelier Art Studio

“The atelier is a space for research for children and teachers, and for listening as children explore the possibilities presented by different materials with which to communicate their thoughts and feelings.”
Gandini, 2005

Sally Cooper, our resident artist, works in the Atelier with the children every week. Two or three hours of an afternoon, every room, on a project that carries on from one week to the next.

From the child’s lens ‘Our Atelier’ is a place for children to be themselves. It is a place where their ‘100 languages’ is valued, honoured and nurtured. They are encouraged to express this through drawings, sculpting, writing and painting.

It is a space where thinking is provoked, conversations and wonderings encouraged and masterpieces created from the sparking artistry of each and every child.

At Bambini of Lilyfield, the children are viewed as confident, capable and resilient; children who have a voice and ‘100 languages’ to speak. Children use the atelier as they see fit, packing and unpacking what they require. This is their space and the educators trust the children, trust the process and watch the magic unfold.

A child in the art studio holding up a large sheet of paper covered in swirls of pink, green and brown paint
finished, and proud

Further exploring the combination of visual art, music and emotions, the pre-schoolers listen to different styles of music. It is amazing to see how concentrated children are on their art making. Fast tempo often encourages fast mark making or dotting, calm music results in calm colour choices and stroking.

The art studio is a wonderful opportunity for the early years as it can stimulate and help with fine motor skill development, appreciation of numeracy and acceleration of brain development, as well as reducing stress and increasing self-esteem.

A child in a Bambini hat pointing up at photographs pinned beside a tall woven wall hanging
look what we made
not add-ons

Part of every day

Three things run right through the centre rather than sitting on a timetable. They are in the garden, at the lunch table and in the way a room settles after lunch, in every room, every day.

Sustainability

A worm farm, a bush tucker garden and a veggie patch the children work themselves, plus composting and recycling as ordinary habits rather than lessons.

We are also a public collection point for Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs. The tags come in from the neighbourhood, get recycled locally, and raise money for wheelchairs in South Africa.

Wellbeing

A child’s social and emotional wellbeing runs through their whole development, so it is not something we set aside twenty minutes for.

Our educators build in moments to sit down, slow up and notice where they are. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness, woven through the day.

Munch & Move

A NSW Health initiative we run throughout the day, building gross motor skills and a love of moving: hand-eye coordination, balance, flexibility, motor planning and body awareness.

It carries good nutrition with it. Simple, cheerful conversations about eating well and giving our bodies good fuel, at the table where it makes sense.

An educator kneeling at the raised garden bed with three children in Bambini hats, two of them wearing gardening gloves and holding trowels
the veggie patch
A child in a green Bambini hat sitting at the top of the turquoise slide, ready to push off
down, then up again
“Let the child be the scriptwriter, the director and the actor in his own play.”
Magda Gerber

Come and see it for yourself

Half an hour, no obligation, no waiting-list fee. You will meet the educators your child would actually spend their days with.

come and say ciao

Engage in your child’s early learning today

Pick a time that suits you. We will show you the rooms, the garden and the Atelier, and you can ask us which programs your child would start with.

  • 284 Balmain Road, Lilyfield NSW 2040
  • (02) 9810 7780
  • Mon–Fri · 7:30am–6:30pm
Rated Exceeding, all seven NQS areas
“The educators provide fun, learning and cuddles in equal measure, and his development is thriving in this nurturing and trusted environment.” Michelle, Bambini parent

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