"To lead & model the
way in the provision of childcare, advocacy & support services for Western Australia's children."
"To create a community where all children & families are valued & thrive."
Leadership, Advocacy for Children & Families, a Culture of Learning, & Respectful Relationships.
Established in 1940, the Gowrie has a long and proud history in the provision of quality early childhood education and care, effectively integrated with community services for children, families and communities across the Perth metropolitan area.
Originally set up as a demonstration model for excellence in childcare, Gowrie WA has two community based child care centres that are committed to building secure, trusting and strong relationships with all children and families. For more information and details about our Early Years Centres, please click here.
The Gowrie (WA) also provides opportunities and responds to the needs of children and families to enhance participation in community life. The Western Australian Gowrie has an enviable track record of providing a range of community services including: early education, settlement support services, family counselling and community based programs. For more information and contacts regarding our Community Services Programs, please click here.
Thanks to Lotterywest, Gowrie WA has recently redeveloped the Neighbourhood Centre into the Gowrie Family & Children's Centre, located in Karawara.
The redevelopment of this community facility is a multi-faceted project incorporating the one stop shop concept that provides a range of integrated services for children and families supporting the Gowrie's strategic vision through Early Childhood Education and Care and complementary Family and community programs. For more information on our Family & Childrens Centre, together with a list of services available, please click here.
With our Early Years Centres, dedicated Community Services programs, and services offered at the new Family & Childrens Centre, Gowrie WA offers a community where all children & families are valued and thrive.
Our Early Years Centres are filled with children and families who feel part of what we do. Our team is passionate about their work and are keen learners themselves, always striving to provide the best service and model the way forward.
Gowrie WA has a reputation for providing support to children and families in the community, by providing an environment with Early Childhood educators that are committed to building secure, trusting and strong relationships with all children and families.
We have an environment where children feel welcome and come to be inspired, to investigate, discover, imagine and create.
Our focus has also been on establishing a learning environment for children where educators support and scaffold childrens learning in partnership with families that reflects The Gowrie philosophy and encompasses The Early Years Learning Framework.
Water Wise and Crunch and Sip
Linking with The Early Years Framework and our programming Gowrie is a recognized Waterwise Early Childhood service.
Engaging children, families and the community in this project through teaching children about our precious recourse water has been a valuable learning experience. Together with the support of the Belmont City council volunteers we have taken children to our local Tomato Lake water reserve and explored the water ways and the natural eco system.
Teaching children about the importance and benefits of drinking water has lead us also to become a Crunch and sip service. Crunch and sip is a program initiated by the Health Department and encourages children to stop during the day to refuel their growing bodies with a drink of water and eat a piece of fruit or vegetables.
Supporting Students
Gowrie WA continues to support students and their training facilities by providing opportunities for student placements. Throughout the year students who are studying Early Childhood or Teaching from Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Belmont City College and Central TAFE attended dedicated training time within our Centres.
For more information or any enquiries contact our centres now.
Link to contacts
Link to ELYF information
Link to booking/enrolment forms
Link to Direct Debit forms
Link to information update forms
KidsMatter
KidsMatter Early Childhood is the first national mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative specifically developed for early childhood services. We have been continuing on our KidsMatter journey, and we have covered training in two different components: Working with parents and carers to improve childrens mental health and Helping children who are experiencing mental health difficulties.
We have contributed to the KidsMatter forum and had an article published in the KidsMatter newsletter that is circulated Australia wide.
Gowrie WA are proud to support the efforts of Kidsmatter.
Link to kidsmatters own website?
Gowrie Karawara was first opened in 1981 as a demonstration centre for integrated services for children in WA. At this Centre, ongoing research was being conducted into parent / carer / child interaction, and several community programs were offered that were founded on identified community need. These included: a Neighbourhood centre, Playgroup, Aboriginal early intervention program, Craft Groups, a drop in service for families, Resource library for parents, Toy library, Parent groups, and a Babysitter club. All programs and services had a Research / Evaluation and Demonstration / Organisation component to them.
Today we are pleased to announce that the Neighbourhood Centre has been redeveloped into the Gowrie Family & Children's Centre, thanks to the generosity of Lotterywest and our dedicated staff.
The Gowrie Family & Community Centre is a multi-facetted project incorporating the "one stop shop" concept that provides a range of integrated services for children and families supporting the Gowries strategic vision through Early Childhood Education and Care and complementary Family and community programs.
From early 2012, Gowrie will host a number of services from the Centre including:
Child and Adolescent Community Health Department of Health
•Child Health Nurse
•Lactation Consultancy Services
•Perinatal Health Care
With a focus on Family and Children, our Leeming Family Centre is a great place for the Community to meet and enjoy a wide range of facilities near the Leeming shopping centre.
On the corner of Aulberry & Farrington Roads, our facilities include community and open play space, kitchen facilities, fully air-conditioned spaces, outdoor play areas in a natural environment, plenty of parking, a meeting room and storage space.
Our spaces are suitable for a range of activities: Playgroups, mothers, fathers, cultural groups, book clubs, hobby groups, birthday parties, forums, workshops, meetings, group activities and presentations.
The rooms are used for regular meetings or on a casual basis and are available for hire seven days a week from 8:00am - 10:30pm.
Hire charges start from $50 per 4 hours plus bond (subject to change) and bookings can be made by contacting the Customer Service Officer on 9310 5855
With a focus on Family and Children, our Cloverdale Community Services allow our families access to a wide range of services provided by dedicated industry professionals.
Providing counselling services for families, couples, youth and individuals, we also support educational group work that furthers ongoing personal development.
In Belmont and Gosnells the Gowrie provides a range of services to new migrant families, refugees and humanitarian entrants to assist with settling into a new country and community.
We can provide information about child care, schools, employment and more.
Please call the Gowrie on 9312 8200 for more information.
The Gowrie team is passionate about their work and are keen learners themselves, always striving to provide the best service and model the way forward.
We have exception people in child care, community services and administration.
Led by CEO Amanda Hunt ...
Nick Wood (Chairperson) is an Executive with the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA). He is married to Anna and they have four children. Nick is passionate about the capacity for all Western Australian children and families to access quality, contemporary and integrated child care and associated services. He is committed to re-establishing the Gowrie as the pre-eminent service provider in this area in Western Australia. Nick has been on the Board since July 2009.
Jennifer Kenyon (Vice Chairperson) is a qualified Mothercraft Nurse who has over 25 years experience working with children and families both in WA and England . Jennifers other qualifications include a Certificate IV in Workplace learning and Assessment and a Diploma in Health and Social Service Management. Currently she runs a successful community day care in the western suburbs. Jenni joined the Gowrie Board of Management in November 2009 .
Peta Welton is Community Clinical Nurse Manager for the Riverlands Region of the Child and Adolescent Community Health Unit. Peta is a mother of 4 and grandmother to 1. She completed her nursing training at the West Australian School of Nursing in 1980 and since then has undertaken both midwifery and child health courses. She has been practicing as a child health nurse and midwife since graduating. Peta has also completed a Graduate Diploma in education and has taught in schools both here in Australia and overseas specialising in early years education and literacy. Peta joined the Board in August 2010.
Jeremy Clafton is a chartered accountant with over 30 years experience in public practice and commercial roles. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer for the ASX listed RMA Energy Ltd having previously run his own accounting and financial planning practice. In the past Jeremy has also acted as the auditor of several not-for-profit organisations. Jeremy and his wife have been foster carers for the last 7 years. Jeremy has been on the Board since June 2010.
Cindy Wilson is a parent of two young children using the Gowrie childcare service and therefore has a keen interest in the future of the Gowrie. In addition, she has over 10 years experience in the Human Resources field including not for profit, legal, insurance, engineering and health organisations both here in Western Australia and in the UK where she is originally from. Her particular interest lies with the Gowrie being able to attract and retain the existing high quality staff within in a positive and engaging culture. Cindy has been on the Board since May 2011
Natasha Hughes says Tena koutou, I am from Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud. I am the mother of 10 year old Thomas and we have been living in Perth for nearly 2 years. I have been working for young children, youth, women and the community for 15 years and I firmly believe that reciprocal and respectful relationships with yourself, other people and the land is the key to having a progressive and peaceful life. If we celebrate our differences and utilise our strengths, we can be more effective when working together. Natasha joined the Board in April, 2011.
Annette Frazer joined the Board in September 2011. Annette holds a Bachelor in Accounting and Computer Studies and is a Certified Practicing Accountant. Currently the Business Manager for The Independent Living Centre, Annette brings to the team strong financial and business acumen in the not for profit sector.
Gowrie WA strives to provide excellence in childcare, integrated with effective community development.
We are always looking for good quality permanent and temporary staff to join our lively and engaging team.
Our centres are located in Kewdale and Karawara and both have excellent utilisation and fantastic teams. If you are someone who has the desire and ability to embrace the purpose, vision and values of Gowrie WA and contribute to our caring and fun child care environment then please contact us.
In return we offer a great team environment in lively community based centres with a focus on staff development. We offer above award rates, 17.5% leave loading, convenient locations, additional leave days and Christmas closure.
If you are a qualified carer (minimum Certificate III in Childrens Services) looking to use your skills and experience in a caring, family-like environment please forward your enquiries and CV to careers_gowrie-wa.com.au
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