There’s a saying, it takes a village to raise a child. And yet in the hectic world we now live in too few of us have that village, separated by distance, time and modern lifestyles. At the Cubbyhouse we get to know your child, their interests, their normal. Whatever your family looks like, we’re there to provide a supportive and nurturing home-like environment for your child.

Learning through play is an essential cornerstone of life. At the Cubbyhouse you won’t see us use screens as babysitters, what you will see is children engaged in creative play. Creative play that provides our child with the building blocks of learning. And your child will thrive in an environment that encourages their sense of adventure and discovery. An environment in which wonder flourishes, developing a life-long love of learning.

And in the rough and tumble of the playground, under the watchful eyes of our educators, we empower your child to learn the essential social skills they will need to navigate life. Learning how to make friends, navigate disagreements and develop resilience, skills that will hold your child in good stead when they head off to school.

We work with you to ensure your little one is prepared for school – confident, enthusiastic, and resilient. It’s a role we take seriously. We know that it will be the little things that will smooth their first year of school, opening their own lunch box, know their left from right, front from back, how to line up. We gradually ease your little one into learning the skills the need to confidently and enthusiastically tackle their first weeks at big school.

Boy Laughing

Staff

Kristan Hartup

Owner

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, Associate Diploma in Social Science, Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, First Aid Certificate, Former NCAC Validator 10 years, Industry Experience since 1994, At The Cubbyhouse since 1998.

Chantel Kinnear

Educator / Centre Director

Diploma in Children’s Services, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience since 2007, At The Cubbyhouse since 2010.

Taylah Chislett

Educator

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Trainee Early Childhood Educator, Studying for Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience since 2017, At The Cubbyhouse since 2017.

Faralee Kelso

Area Manager / Early Childhood Teacher

Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Teaching, Diploma of Children’s Services, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience since 2004, Parenting Experience since 2020, At The Cubbyhouse since 2011.

Monica Abdoo

Educator

Diploma in Children’s Services, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience since 2012, At The Cubbyhouse since 2012.

Stacey Davies

Educator

Certificate III in Children’s Services, First Aid Certificate, Parenting Experience since 2011, Industry Experience since 2008, At The Cubbyhouse since 2008.

Early Childhood Teacher / Centre Director

Teacher / Nominated Supervisor, Bachelor of Teaching, Diploma of Children’s Services, First Aid & Asthma/Anaphylaxis Certificates, Industry Experience since 1995, At The Cubbyhouse since 2003.

Robert Hartup

Owner

Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Economics, Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, At The Cubbyhouse since 1998.

Alanah Thompson

Educator

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience since 2016, At The Cubbyhouse since 2016.

Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, First Aid Certificate, Parenting Experience since 2013, Industry Experience since 2008, At The Cubbyhouse since 2008.

Trainee Early Childhood Educator, Studying for Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience since 2021, At The Cubbyhouse since 2021.

Trainee Early Childhood Educator, Studying for Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, Industry Experience since 2021, At The Cubbyhouse since 2021.

Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience since 2015, at The Cubbyhouse since 2015.

Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience since 2017, Parenting experience since 2011, At The Cubbyhouse since 2022.

Working towards Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience since 2021, At The Cubbyhouse since 2021.

Educator

Working towards Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Industry Experience since 2022, At The Cubbyhouse since 2022.

Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, First Aid Certificate, Parenting Experience since 2015, Industry Experience since 2019, At The Cubbyhouse since 2022.

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, First Aid Certificate, Parenting Experience since 2016, Industry Experience since 2014, At The Cubbyhouse since 2021.

Educator

Associate Diploma in Childcare, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience since 1985, At The Cubbyhouse since 2022.

Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience since 2015, At The Cubbyhouse since 2015.

Trainee Early Childhood Educator, Studying for Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Industry Experience since 2022, At The Cubbyhouse since 2023.

Certificate III in Early Childhood and Care, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience Since 2022 , At The Cubbyhouse Since 2022

Teacher, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) , First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience since 2009, At The Cubbyhouse Since 2024

Diploma in Children’s Services, First Aid Certificate, Industry Experience Since 2008, At The Cubbyhouse Since 2024

Trainee, Studying Certificate III In Early Childhood and Care, Industry Experience 2023, At The Cubbyhouse Since 2023

Owners

The Cubbyhouse Preschool and Long Day Care Taree was purchased in 1998 by Robert & Kristan Hartup, a local family with 2 children of their own. The Cubbyhouse Preschool and Long Day Care Wingham was established in 2005, and they purchased The Kempsey centre in 2010. All of the Cubbyhouse centres are run with the same stringent high standards, attention to detail and care insisted upon by Kristan & Robert.

Kristan Hartup holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, Associate Diploma in Social Science Child Studies, Certificate  IV in training and assessment and Senior First Aid Certificate. She has been in the Childcare Industry as a full time teacher since 1994, Director at the Cubbyhouse since October 1998, and NCAC validator  from June 2000 to June 2007. Kristan also is a teacher for North Coast Institute of Tafe, Taree and Great Lakes Campus.

Robert Hartup holds a Bachelors degree in Economics, Master of Business Administration  and  Certificate  IV  in  assessment  and  Workplace  Training. He has 20 years experience in the education and training industry, and business management. He has been administrator of the Cubbyhouse since October 1998. Robert is also a Regional Director for BNI (Business Network International).

Our Educational Philosophy

The Cubbyhouse provides a warm, safe and happy learning environment to support your child’s development. Our educational philosophy and approach to care has been informed by extensive review of educational best practice and draws from credible, research-based theorists and their ideas. Our practices, procedures and curriculum development is guided by these ideas.

At the Cubbyhouse we believe children learn best through discovery-based education. We use stimulating learning environments based on the children’s interests to attract children’s attention and facilitate new understanding. As educators we assess the children’s learning through critical reflection and analysis of information. Using intentional teaching practices allows a supported environment where conversations and interactions are vital for learning to occur. We use a holistic approach which caters to each individual child, to nurture their unique talents, capabilities and aspirations within a flexible environment. Your child will flourish, developing at their own pace and gaining independence and a positive self-image.

We believe all children, families, staff, management and community members should be treated with respect, fairness and equity. Individual efforts and skills are recognised, valued and appreciated, creating a positive atmosphere in which children can develop unbiased attitudes, co-operation and consideration towards others, to continually enhance the environment in which they live. Differences, opinions and ideas of all are valued, heard and respected.

We encourage understanding of differences and similarities within Aboriginal/ Torres Strait Islander family groupings, traditions and customs. We believe in building positive relationships and partnerships with the local Indigenous community in respectful, appropriate ways.

Our educators acknowledge the importance of integrating sustainability practises to help promote environmentally conscious children, centre and community. Your child will learn lifelong practices in helping our planet to stay healthy for generations to come.

We use The Early Years Learning Framework as it conveys the highest expectations for all children’s learning from birth to five years and through the transition to schools.

Learning outcomes set in The Early Years Learning Framework

null

Belonging

Experiencing belonging – knowing where and with whom you belong – is integral to human existence. Children belong first to a family, a cultural group, a neighborhood and a wider community. Belonging acknowledges children’s interdependence with others and the basis of relationships in defining identities. In early childhood, and throughout life, relationships are crucial to a sense of belongingBelonging is central to being and becoming in that it shapes who children are and who they can become.
null

Being

Childhood is a time to be, to seek and make meaning of the world. Being recognises the significance of the here and now in children’s lives. It is about the present and them knowing themselves, building and maintaining relationships with others, engaging with life’s joys and complexities, and meeting challenges in everyday life. The early childhood years are not solely preparation for the future but also about the present.
null

Becoming

Children’s identities, knowledge, understandings, capacities, skills and relationships change during childhood. They are shaped by many different events and circumstances. Becoming reflects this process of rapid and significant change that occurs in the early years as young children learn and grow. It emphasises learning to participate fully and actively in society.

Educators actively build strong partnerships with families in the ongoing care, nurture and education of their children. We value true collaboration through open communication, input of ideas sharing of information, experiences, supportiveness, opportunities to be involved, give feedback and a genuine sense of value and respect for all

We believe in building relationships with the wider community as the knowledge and experiences will enrich the children’s learning in meaningful ways. In this way we are

continually building strong networks of support with professional agencies and community groups to be called on when needed.

Educators work in a collaborative way, sharing knowledge and expertise. We are committed in extending our skills, knowledge and abilities through critical reflection of ourselves and ongoing professional development.

Our commitment to high quality services ensures that all legal and administrative procedures are followed through appropriately, maintaining confidentiality and reflecting our ‘Code of Ethics’ at all times.