Barossa Valley Community Kids
76 Magnolia Road
Tanunda SA 5352
PH: 08 8563 0030
ABOUT
The Barossa Valley Community Kids (BVCK) is a not-for-profit Community Childcare Centre that has cared for children in our community since 1989.
BVCK cares for children aged 3 months to 5 years old and provides children with two separate integrated rooms; the under 2's room is for children aged 3 months to 2 years and the over 2's room is for ages 2 to 5 years.
We also have a wonderful fully integrated nature play area for all the children to explore and learn within.
Originally, we were known as Barossa Valley Community Creche, we were located behind the Tanunda Hospital and established by a former nurse in 1989, a necessity as there were no childcare facilities in the Barossa at this time, we ran as a creche for the first twenty-three years of trading.
No government funding was available and the Centre relied on the hourly fees charged, fundraising and community support to pay the wages of the dedicated staff and the day-to-day operations.
In 2012,the decision was made to become an accredited Early learning Childcare facility, families enrolled were able to receive government childcare rebates and this expanded our availability to the wider community.
In 2018, with an ever growing waitlist, it was time to expand our service but to do so we had to move from our beloved site , this meant renovating a new service and creating a brand new home for our children and families.
By the start of January 2019 our renovations were complete, and we could open our new Centre to the community, with our larger capacity, we are able to enroll more children.
Our aim is to secure the site so that BVCK becomes a permanent community asset for our future children and families.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
At BVCK we believe that all children are unique. We believe in encouraging and supporting all children’s individuality, their needs and self-development. We provide children with positive and loving interactions that role model respectful and inclusive behaviour.
BVCK strongly supports the Reggio Emilia theory that children learn through play. By providing children opportunities to engage in curious investigative play within their surroundings, Educators are able to use the environments as a “third teacher”. This promotes creativity, problem solving skills, inquisitiveness, experimentation and open-ended play. (Reggio Emilia, 1963).
What Our Families Say
"BVCK is a home away from home. We feel more than comfortable leaving our son in their care, the warmth and dedication is amazing"
“As a mother, for me the thought of sending our young children to day care was very daunting. However from day one, taking our children to BVCK honesty felt like I was taking them to be cared for by a family member. The genuine care, love & devotion the staff at BVCK have is something I have never experienced at any other centre, we have never looked back, it has proved to be one of the best decisions we made for our children.”
"My kids love going to BVCK, it has a fantastic, long-standing reputation in the community that is well deserved. A great team of educators, nature play, small class sizes and selected integration across ages – brilliant!"
A message from our Director
Hello families,
My name is Kia Starkey, and I have the privilege of being the Director of Barossa Valley Community Kids. Leading this wonderful Centre is more than just a role for me—it’s a passion and a purpose.
My journey in early childhood education began in 2005 as a trainee, where I first discovered my love for nurturing and guiding young minds. I completed my Certificate III in 2007 and, in 2008, took 11 months off to welcome my twin boys into the world—a life-changing experience that deepened my appreciation for the importance of quality early childhood education. Since then, I have continued to grow in my profession, completing my Diploma in 2012 and gaining hands-on experience as a Team Leader across different age groups, from babies to OSHC.
In 2014, I took the next step in my learning journey, enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree in Teaching and Learning (Birth to 12 years). Now, I have the privilege of leading BVCK as its Director and serving as its Early Childhood Teacher. These experiences and qualifications allow me to guide the growth and development of our educators, children, and BVCK itself.
Since joining BVCK in 2012, I’ve witnessed the incredible impact of a small, community-based Centre. Our families often describe BVCK as a “home away from home,” and I couldn’t agree more. My fellow educators and I are committed to creating a space where children feel safe, accepted, cared for, and supported—just like family.
We understand that the decision to place your child in care is a big one, and we want you to know that we’re here for you every step of the way. Our goal is to make the transition as smooth and comforting as possible by building strong, trusting relationships with families and fostering meaningful connections with each child. Together, we create a nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.
I look forward to welcoming you to our BVCK family.
Warmly,
Kia Starkey