Family-owned since 2010

Our story & philosophy

Teenie Weenies opened in late 2010. Marie, our Director, has worked in early childhood since finishing school; her brother Chris trained as a chef and runs the kitchen — and Zaf's Kitchen, our take-home meals for parents.

Belonging, Being, Becoming display wall made by the children

Marie and Chris, founders of Teenie Weenies, in the centre garden — Marie & Chris — Director and Chef, sister and brother

Small on purpose

A sister, a brother and a centre built on family

Marie always knew she wanted to work in early childhood education and went straight into her Diploma after high school. Her dream of opening a centre of her own became Teenie Weenies — a privately, family-owned and run long day care centre on Kennedy Street, Panania.

Chris brings his passion for food to the kitchen, cooking fresh meals for the children every day and running Zaf's Kitchen, his traditional Greek catering business.

Most of our educators have been here for years. Miss Suzana has 25 years in early childhood; Miss Harriett, 19. With just 31 places, children get known, properly.

Meet the team See our rooms

Our philosophy

Happy children and happy parents

A home away from home

At Teenie Weenies Learning Centre, we believe in providing high quality care so that children are able to develop and grow to their full potential. We pride ourselves in establishing and maintaining a nurturing, loving, supportive home like environment, where children and families feel welcome, safe and comfortable walking through our doors. We understand that parents and families are a child’s first teacher, and aim to support them in their role to the best of our ability, working towards becoming an extension of each child’s family. Children and families are encouraged to involve their homelife into the Teenie Weenies environment, enabling them to build connections between the two, and develop a sense of belonging at our service.

Learning through play

At Teenie Weenies we believe that the early years of a child’s life are critical for development, and we aim to instill a passion for learning and gaining knowledge in all children who attend our service. We recognise that children are capable and competent individuals, who actively learn best through play. This is why our educators work collaboratively with families, as well as observe and listen to children to gain insights into their interests and needs. Our educators then aim to set learning rich environments, where children can explore, investigate, discover, problem solve, as well as foster the social and emotional wellbeing of all children.

Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) guides our educators in implementing programs that assist children in reaching developmental outcomes and milestones. Our programs reflect both planned and spontaneous experiences, where educators also implement intentional teaching through meaningful, purposeful and deliberate interactions. Our educators believe that children should have a say in all aspects of the program, and take a collaborative approach when setting and implementing the curriculum.

Natural spaces, many cultures

Teenie Weenies aims to provide a balance of natural and man-made elements within the environment, with a wide range of open-ended materials to stimulate curiosity and a sense of wonder. We promote sustainable practices and aim to ensure that the future generations understand the importance of protecting our planet, by respecting our environment and everything in it. Our service respects diversity and recognises the beauty and importance of all cultures, and encourages children and families to share theirs with us. We provide children with a variety of multi-cultural foods, and promote families to share cultural dishes for us to try, and incorporate into our menu.

Part of the Panania community

Teenie Weenies strives to be a valued service in the community, and has strong community relationships with local businesses and schools. We are constantly working to keep, and strengthen these professional relationships, and value community involvement in all aspects of our program.

The hundred languages of children

No way. The hundred is there.

Our program is Reggio-inspired. This poem by Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emilia approach, sums up how we see every child: capable, curious and full of ways to learn.

The child
is made of one hundred.
The child has
a hundred languages
a hundred hands
a hundred thoughts
a hundred ways of thinking
of playing, of speaking.
A hundred always a hundred
ways of listening
of marvelling of loving
a hundred joys
for singing and understanding
a hundred worlds
to discover
a hundred worlds
to invent
a hundred worlds
to dream.
The child has
a hundred languages
(and a hundred hundred hundred more)
but they steal ninety-nine.
The school and the culture
separate the head from the body.
They tell the child:
to think without hands
to do without head
to listen and not to speak
to understand without joy
to love and to marvel
only at Easter and Christmas.
They tell the child:
to discover the world already there
and of the hundred
they steal ninety-nine.
They tell the child:
that work and play
reality and fantasy
science and imagination
sky and earth
reason and dream
are things
that do not belong together.
And thus they tell the child
that the hundred is not there.
The child says:
No way. The hundred is there.

Loris Malaguzzi (translated by Lella Gandini)

See it for yourself.

Tours most weekday mornings. Meet Marie, see both rooms, stay for a taste.

Book a tour (02) 9771 1199

24 Kennedy Street
Panania NSW 2213

Monday – Friday
7:00am – 6:00pm

marie@teenieweenies.net.au