Content
Castle Hill
Croydon
Written by Amie Andrews, Nominated Supervisor | Castle Hill
Mother's Day Celebrated at Dashing Ducks
Mother’s Day childcare celebrations look different in every service. Here is how ours ran this year.
Both Dashing Ducks Castle Hill and Croydon held Mother’s Day mornings this year, and both rooms were full. In the weeks before, children had been making gifts, drawing portraits, and building signs from cardboard and coloured paper. When the mornings arrived, families came in and most stayed well past when they needed to.
This is what Mother’s Day looks like at Dashing Ducks: not a tick-box occasion, but a look at who the families at our two centres actually are.
A room full of handmade love
The children had been at it for weeks. They drew portraits of their mums, filled out “All About My Mum” booklets, and helped build a large “Happy Mother’s Day” sign from cardboard and coloured paper. The letters were cut by little hands and placed with real care.
Watching a child point to their own drawing and then look up to see their mum’s face is hard to describe. Every child contributed something, from the youngest in the baby room to the pre-kindy group. The educators worked alongside them the whole time, treating the making as seriously as the morning itself.
What the children were learning through our Mother's Day childcare activities
Making something for someone else is empathy. Standing up to present it is confidence. Sitting with your family in a space that already feels familiar is security. These aren’t side effects of a nice morning. They’re what the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) actually asks us to build. Events like this one aren’t extras. They’re the curriculum.
Our educators plan these experiences carefully, tracking each child’s individual learning journey. The program goes beyond craft activities because the craft activities were never just craft activities.
Why community moments matter in early childhood
Most parents enrolling their child in childcare have the same hope: that the people looking after their child will actually know them. Not just their name and allergy list. Them.
Days like Mother’s Day are how we show families what kind of places our centres are. At Castle Hill, we’ve been part of the community for over 30 years, set in a heritage-listed home on Garthowen Crescent. At Croydon, the educators at Wychbury Avenue have built the same kind of environment. You can read what families have shared on our testimonials page.
Come and see for yourself
Mother’s Day childcare mornings like this one are only part of the picture. Have a look at our Castle Hill centre or our Croydon centre, or book a tour on an ordinary day. If you are new to the sector, Starting Blocks is a good place to start.
Want to see our community for yourself?
Dashing Ducks is a family-owned child care centre in Castle Hill with over 30 years serving families in the Hills District. CCS-subsidised, EYLF-aligned, and built around real community — the kind that shows up in a yarning circle on a Tuesday afternoon.
Dashing Ducks
Friendly, Experienced Team
Family-Owned, always
Nutritious Meals daily
Our learning environment is designed to inspire curiosity and creativity, fostering a love for exploration while supporting every child’s.
01
Holistic Learning
Approach
We focus on nurturing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally ensuring they develop essential skills.
02
Safe & Supportive
Learning
We prioritise safety and well-being, providing a secure online space where children can explore, learn, and grow.
03
Proven Adaptive
Learning
Focusing on each child's strengths, boosting confidence and academic performance with measurable progress.
