Our History

Formally established in 1986, Devonport Childcare Centres Inc has its origins with the people who began local volunteer community childcare in the early 1960s.

Elanora Children’s Centre began in 1977 as Devonport’s first purpose-built childcare centre; Malangenna Children’s Centre started in 1994, planned initially as a training centre with TAFE; holiday, before and after school services have followed progressively over the last 10 years. Now 8 services at 7 sites in Devonport and the surrounding region.

We are a not-for-profit, community- based association, governed by a skills and interest-based Board of six and managed by an experienced, professional team. Good financial health and performance and clear strategic direction.

Meeting the needs of over 500 families – some 22,000 child attendances each year in centre-based early learning and care; around 600 child attendances per week in school-based services; and around 2,500 in school holiday programs.

Competitive, value-for-money fees; simple, flexible fee structure and session times responsive to parent/family needs and no charge for public holidays.

Currently employing over 80 full-time, permanent part-time & casual staff – a depth of experience through low turnover and lengthy service.

All our educators have or are studying for an education degree, diploma or Certificate 3 – 98% already have one of these qualifications.

Collaborative relationships with primary schools in which we have outside school hours services – Hillcrest, Nixon Street, Our Lady of Lourdes, Port Sorell & Spreyton Primary Schools.

Our services take a whole-of-family approach; are part of the ‘Be You’ early childhood mental health initiative; have an established Intergenerational Playgroup Program with Baptcare Karingal Aged Care Centre, for young children and elderly to interact regularly; and have close collaborations with Mission Australia, East Devonport CFC, Child Safety and related community services with families in need and children at risk.

Both centres are satellite services of the North West ASELCC [Autism Centre] – now part of St Giles – providing the intensive early intervention Bee Me program from Malengenna Children’s Centre and Malangenna now hosting a Working Together with Three Year Old’s [WT3] program.