Charley's Cottage

04/10/2026

You may have noticed something about our socials…

If you’ve been following Charley’s for a while, you may have noticed that we don’t share identifiable images of the children in our care or show their faces on our public social media pages.

This was a conscious decision we made some time ago as part of our ongoing commitment to child safety, privacy and safeguarding.

We absolutely love sharing what happens within our Charley’s community — the learning, creativity, adventures, celebrations and all those wonderful little moments that make childhood special. But we believe we can tell those stories without publicly sharing a child’s identity.

Children today are growing up in an increasingly digital world, and protecting them also means thinking carefully about the digital footprint we create on their behalf.

So while you’ll continue to see plenty of life at Charley’s — little hands creating, backs of heads exploring, environments, experiences, educators, artwork and of course Charley & Patch — you won’t see our children’s faces on our public pages.

It’s something we’re really proud to stand behind.

Because safeguarding children doesn’t stop when we go online.

Their childhood. Their privacy. Their story.

22/09/2026

🌱💚 A HUGE THANK YOU TO BUNNINGS NORTH TOOWOOMBA! 💚🌱

We would like to say a very special thank you to the wonderful team at Bunnings North Toowoomba for their generous donation of plants to Charley’s Cottage! 🌿🪴

Your donation is helping us extend and grow our gardens as part of our SNAG Program – Sustainability, Nutrition and Gardening. 🌱🥕👩‍🌾

Our children are so excited to get their hands dirty, plant, nurture and watch their gardens grow. These experiences provide wonderful opportunities for children to learn about where our food comes from, caring for our environment, sustainability and the responsibility that comes with growing and looking after living things. 🌻

And with the dry spell we’re currently experiencing, the generous donation of watering cans has been an absolute bonus! 💦🌱 The children can help keep our gardens hydrated and thriving while learning the importance of using water thoughtfully.

We are incredibly grateful for the support of our local community and businesses who help us create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for our children.

Thank you, Bunnings North Toowoomba, for helping our little gardens grow! 🌿💚

18/09/2026

🌸🌼 Celebrating the Carnival of Flowers! 🌼🌸

Spring has well and truly arrived at our centre! 💐🌿

We’ve been busy “springifying” our centre, bringing colour, flowers and lots of joy both inside and outside. 🌺🌻 From bright and beautiful displays to our outdoor spaces bursting with colour, the children have loved exploring all that spring has to offer.

Our little gardeners have been getting involved, discovering flowers, colours, nature and the magic of new growth. 🌱🦋

It’s been wonderful to bring a little piece of Toowoomba’s famous Carnival of Flowers into our centre and celebrate the beauty of spring together. 🌷🌈

Here’s to sunshine, flowers, muddy little hands and lots of springtime smiles! ☀️🌸💚

16/09/2026

Is your child starting Kindy in 2027?

We'd love to welcome you to our Charley's Cottage Kindy Information Night!

Come along and discover what makes our Kindy year so special. You will have the opportunity to:

🔵Meet our wonderful Kindy Teachers
🔵Explore our beautiful learning environments
🔵Discover the experiences and programs that make Kindy at Charley's Cottage unique
🔵Ask questions and learn more about what to expect as your child begins their Kindy journey

We cannot wait to meet our Kindy class of 2027 families and share with you how we support children to learn, grow, build confidence and feel a true sense of belonging.

Ready to join us?
RSVP via the event pinned on our page, or email Bernie at [email protected]

We can't wait to welcome you and your family to Charley's Cottage!

09/09/2026

We're looking-for a passionate Early Childhood teacher to inspire little minds, And help shape strong foundations at Charley's Cottage

Passionate Early Childhood Teacher to lead a child-led program in a small, family-orientated centre.

01/09/2026

Happy Early Childhood Educators’ Day!

Today we’re celebrating our incredible educators at the Cottage and all the little things they do each day that make such a big difference.

For every cuddle, every laugh, every little win celebrated and every moment spent making our children feel safe, loved and supported — thank you.

We are so lucky to have such an amazing team and hope you know just how appreciated you are, today and every day.

Happy Educators’ Day to our Charley’s superstars! ⭐

19/07/2026

🍓 Protein-Packed Berry Yoghurt Cups

Ingredients:
• 1 cup Greek yoghurt (high in protein)
• ½ cup fresh strawberries, diced
• ½ cup blueberries
• ¼ cup rolled oats
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for children over 12 months)
• A sprinkle of cinnamon

Method:

Mix the Greek yoghurt with the chia seeds and cinnamon.
Layer the yoghurt with berries and rolled oats in a small cup or bowl.
Drizzle with a little honey if desired.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for a grab-and-go breakfast.

💪 Why we love it:
✔ High in protein to support growing bodies.
✔ Rich in calcium for healthy bones and teeth.
✔ Packed with fibre to support healthy digestion.
✔ Full of antioxidants from fresh berries.

Healthy eating habits start early, and involving children in preparing simple recipes helps build confidence, independence and a lifelong love of nutritious foods. ❤️

17/07/2026

📱 Little Eyes Are Always Watching 👀

Did you know that children learn just as much from what we do as from what we say?

When adults are frequently on their phones while children are trying to interact, it can have a real impact on a child's development. Research has shown that regular interruptions from screens can reduce meaningful conversations, eye contact and responsive interactions—all of which are essential for healthy brain development.

Children thrive when they feel seen, heard and connected. Simple moments like reading a book together, sharing a meal without phones, or getting down on the floor to play help build language skills, emotional security and strong relationships.

💛 It's not about being perfect—we all use technology. It's about creating moments where children know they have our full attention.

This week, why not try:
📵 Putting your phone away during meals.
👀 Making eye contact when your child is talking.
🎲 Spending just 10–15 minutes of uninterrupted play together each day.

Those small moments make a big difference. ❤️

16/07/2026

🖤💛❤️ Celebrating NAIDOC Week at Charleys Cottage ❤️💛🖤

Here at the Cottage, our learning spaces have been filled with opportunities to explore, listen, create and connect as we celebrate NAIDOC Week.

Our children have been sharing Dreaming stories, painting with ochre, engaging in meaningful discussions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and learning about the importance of caring for Country. Through these experiences, we are fostering respect, curiosity and an appreciation for the rich histories, cultures and achievements of the First Nations Peoples of Australia.

At Charleys Cottage, we believe that learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives is an important part of building inclusive, respectful communities where every child develops a sense of belonging and connection.

Happy NAIDOC Week! 🖤💛❤️

15/07/2026

🦁 Welcome to our Zoo! 🐘🦒

Our little explorers have been busy discovering the wonderful world of animals through imaginative play, sensory experiences, and hands-on learning. This zoo-themed space encourages curiosity, builds language skills, and inspires children to ask questions, role-play, and learn about the amazing creatures that share our world.

Based on "The Zoo" Rod Campbell

From roaring like lions to stomping like elephants, every adventure supports confidence, creativity, and a love of learning through play. 🌿✨

"Play is the highest form of research." – Albert Einstein