A room for every stage, from six weeks to school
Children are grouped by age into five rooms, each named after an animal. Every room has its own educators, its own rhythm for the day and time outdoors every day.
Leopards · 6 weeks – 12 months
Nurturing, responsive relationships are at the heart of Leopards. We follow each baby's own routine from home as closely as we can, using what you tell us on your All About Me form.
- Sleeps, bottles and nappy changes happen when your baby needs them, not by the clock
- Safe sleep: babies sleep in cots, following Red Nose safe sleep recommendations, and we provide the bed linen
- Milk and formula: please bring formula in its original tin, labelled with your baby’s name, and clean labelled bottles
- Starting solids: babies are only offered foods already introduced at home, prepared to a texture that suits them
- Play and learning: sensory play, tummy time, music, books and early conversations
Lions · 1 – 2 years
Lions is full of first steps, first words and big discoveries. Educators follow each child’s lead, with plenty of time to move, explore and play alongside friends.
- Self-feeding: children are encouraged to feed themselves at meal times, building independence
- Rest: each child rests and sleeps according to their own needs, with a routine planned with you
- Language and music: songs, stories and conversation through the day
- Outdoors every day, with room to walk, climb and explore
Tigers · 2 – 3 years
Toddlers in Tigers build independence, language and friendships through play, small-group experiences and everyday routines.
- Group time and intentional teaching planned from children's interests, cultures and families' ideas
- Meal times: children serve and feed themselves with support
- Toilet learning when your child is ready, in partnership with you (please bring pull-ups, which we don’t supply)
- Rest time after lunch in a calm, comfortable space
Seals · 3 – 4 years
Seals is for curious three-year-olds. Children explore their questions through projects, play and conversation, and grow their confidence with friends.
- Small-group learning on children’s interests, with early literacy, numeracy and problem-solving woven through play
- Relaxation after lunch, with soft music, stories and quiet activities for children who don’t sleep
- Self-help skills: serving meals, packing bags and caring for belongings
- Outdoor play with open-ended, physically active and nature-based experiences
Bears · 4 – 5 years
In Bears, children build the confidence, curiosity and independence they will take with them to school, through play, projects and intentional teaching.
- Group projects that grow from children's questions and ideas
- Early literacy, numeracy and STEM through stories, games, building and play
- Social and emotional skills: taking turns, solving problems and making friends
- Independence: managing belongings, routines and self-care
Going to public preschool too?
Many Canberra four-year-olds attend free preschool at an ACT public school, for up to 15 hours a week. If your child does, talk to us about which days at Cubs Corner fit around it. ACT four-year-old preschool
Our day follows a rhythm, not a strict timetable
The routine changes with children's needs and interests each day, and babies always follow their own routine. This is the general shape of the day.
Drop-off and family grouping
From 7.00 am, children start the day together with the opening educators. Tell us anything important about your child's night or morning, or message us on OWNA later.
Morning tea
Children feed themselves, building independence and self-regulation.
Intentional teaching and outdoor play
Small groups explore the day's planned experiences and children's own interests, with active, open-ended play indoors and out.
Lunch, then rest
Children eat with their friends. Every child then rests or sleeps according to their needs, with cots and beds, soft music and quiet activities.
Afternoon tea and play
More indoor and outdoor play, with a late snack before home time.
Home time
Educators share your child's day at pick-up. As the centre gets quieter, children come together again until they're collected. We close at 6.00 pm.
Fresh food, cooked on site every day
Our chef prepares morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack each day from a seasonal two-week rotating menu, checked against the healthy eating guidelines for long day care. The menu is displayed at the centre and shared with families on OWNA.
- Milk at morning and afternoon tea, and water throughout the day
- Children with medical, religious or cultural dietary needs receive a version of the menu tailored to them, which may include vegetarian and dairy-free options
- Babies under 12 months are only offered foods already introduced at home
- We are an allergy-aware centre: our kitchen is egg free, beef free, pork free, nut free and lolly free, so please don’t bring food (including birthday cakes) from home
Getting ready for the big step
In Seals and Bears, school readiness is woven through every day: early literacy, social and emotional skills and STEM, along with the independence children need to manage their belongings and routines.
- Projects and intentional teaching that build curiosity and confidence
- Practising self-care, turn-taking and problem-solving with friends
- Talking with you about your child’s progress and the move to school
- Combining days at Cubs Corner with ACT public preschool for four-year-olds, if you choose
See the rooms for yourself
Book a tour to meet the educators in your child’s room.