Victoria Park Play & Learn

We had a very positive experience previously when Kareen was at the service. However, following changes in ownership and management, our child’s needs were consistently unmet. Below is a summary of our experiences under the new management: - The owner referred to our one-year-old as an “angry baby,” including in his presence. This was inappropriate. At this age, behaviour is communication, and seeking comfort is developmentally normal. - Staff were directed to limit holding and comforting our child. His need for reassurance was instead framed negatively, reinforcing the “angry” label when he became upset. - We received unsolicited and directive parenting advice, including being told our child is “spoiled.” On one occasion, he was reprimanded while in my arms. This felt undermining and was not consistent with a respectful, family-centred approach. - Our child was reportedly unsettled for 40–45 minutes without any contact with us, despite being tired and hungry. His last nap was unknown, he missed sleep, and there was hesitation to feed him in case it would ruin dinner, rather than consulting us. We would always prefer he is fed when hungry. - He came home with scratches on his face, with no explanation provided and no incident report completed. Since moving to a new centre, he has been thriving and finishing his days happy and settled. The difference in approach, with a focus on responsiveness and encouragement, has been very noticeable. Overall, this experience did not reflect the level of care, communication, or understanding of early childhood development that we expected. We hope the centre reflects on aligning its practices with children’s emotional and developmental needs.