Founded over 20 years ago with support from local council and crown land donations, Toddle Inn has grown from a modest facility for 26 children to a centre that now accommodates 50 children daily. It’s a testament to the growth of Deloraine, and the community’s dedication to its youngest members. Julie Purdon, the centre’s director, has been a crucial part of Toddle Inn’s growth, but is quick to attribute its success to its community-based model.
Toddle Inn operates under a governance structure led by a committee composed of community members, many of whom have children enrolled at the centre. Membership isn’t restricted to families, however—anyone in the community can join for a small fee. According to Julie, this structure gives Deloraine’s residents a voice in the centre’s decisions and operations, fostering a strong bond between the service and the community it serves.
It’s a really rewarding job… especially in our community where we retain families for years.
Julie herself is a transplant from Sydney, having moved to Tasmania nearly two decades ago—drawn by a passion for early childhood education and a desire to raise her family in a close-knit community. The Toddle Inn team shares this commitment, with educators starting their careers with a Certificate III qualification and advancing as room leaders, assistant directors, or even as service directors. “There’s a real passion for caring for children and their families,” Julie says, noting that the centre has been a long-term partner for many local families, watching children grow from babies to school-aged kids who still drop by for after-school care.
This connection to the community has enabled Toddle Inn to address local needs directly, such as providing after-school care—a service introduced five years ago. “So many children wanted to come back here after school,” Julie explains, noting the popularity of the program, particularly among working families. With demand growing, however, managing logistics has become challenging. Currently, Toddle Inn operates a 12-seater bus to transport children from school, which sometimes means multiple trips to accommodate everyone. The centre has long sought a larger vehicle to ease this burden, but finding the right one has been an uphill battle.
In addition to the logistical hurdles, managing compliance and regulation paperwork is another challenge that comes with running a childcare centre. Adherence to national standards, overseen by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), requires significant administrative work, from policy updates to thorough assessments every three years. Although time-consuming, Julie views this as essential to providing a high-quality service. “It’s all done properly for families,” she notes, “but it does take a lot of time.”
Despite these challenges, Toddle Inn recently achieved a significant milestone: the acquisition of additional land from local council and crown ownership. This new space, adjacent to the centre’s current location, will provide much-needed room for outdoor play—and may even support future expansions. “We’re thrilled to have this land,” Julie beams, explaining that the space will be developed with safety measures like tree trimming and fencing before it’s integrated into the existing playground. With this added capacity, Julie sees an opportunity to increase enrolments and meet Deloraine’s rising demand for both regular daycare and after-school care.
The Toddle Inn children enjoy a variety of community-based excursions, including walks along the river, visits to local schools, and trips to the pump track and basketball courts nearby. Pre-pandemic, the children regularly visited local nursing homes—an experience that was mutually beneficial for both the children and the elderly. “It was wonderful to see that interaction,” Julie recalls, adding that Toddle Inn still maintains connections with the Westbury Day Centre to foster intergenerational engagement.
Julie’s favourite part of her role? It’s the people of Meander Valley. “The families here are just so supportive and community-minded,” she says. Whether it’s through Toddle Inn’s committee or informal interactions, Deloraine’s sense of community shines through, and Julie feels privileged to be a part of it.
As Toddle Inn prepares for its upcoming Annual General Meeting on 16 December, where new committee members are welcomed, Julie hopes that more residents will continue to participate, keeping the centre’s community-driven spirit alive. “It’s a beautiful area with a really lovely community,” she adds. And thanks to centres like Toddle Inn, it’s a place where families can feel supported and children can thrive.
