Opening its doors at the beginning of July, the new family-run nature-based childcare centre in Jubilee Pocket is paving the way for early learning in the Whitsunday region, with its fantastical play centre and forward-thinking approach already proving popular with local families.
Running the daily operations of Jungle Zoo are its Manager, Amy Collins, and Director Emma Coughran.
At capacity, they will be able to welcome over 100 children through the doors and employ a team of 22 passionate educators.
Amy and her parents have previously run exceeding childcare centres based in the Central Coast of New South Wales and recruited Emma to move up to the Whitsundays from one of the other centres so that she could help launch Jungle Zoo.
Jumping at the opportunity, Emma made the move with her husband and their three children who are, five, seven and 11-years-old.
Emma has been working with children for 17 years, developing a passion for the industry and then studying to become an Early Childhood Teacher.
“I love the early years – the first five years of life is so important,” said Emma.
“This is the time when we are setting the foundations for children to succeed in life.”
Amy said that Emma was the first pick for the Director’s position because her personal philosophy in education and care is aligned with the family-first approach that lays at the heart of all their childcare centres.
“I love making families feel welcome – families are the first teacher for children, and they always come first,” explained Emma.
Jungle Zoo has an open-door policy where the door is never locked.
They actively encourage participation, whether that be sharing multi-cultural experiences, offering a cooking demonstration, reading to the children, or bringing in show and tell.
They are also breast-feeding friendly.
“Building that sense of belonging is really important for children and having those relationships, with the children and their families, is what we love to do,” said Emma.
“The smiles and happiness you get from young children when they walk through the doors, is the most rewarding part of the job”
Jungle Zoo Open Week starts this Monday and everyone is welcome.
Emma Coughran and Amy Collins from Jungle Zoo
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