Treetops Early Learning Centre - Stepney (Banksia House)

For parents considering enrolling their child at Treetops Stepney, particularly Banksia House, I would like to share our experience.<br><br>Firstly, the educators are wonderful. They are caring, dedicated and genuinely attentive to the children. Our child enjoys attending and has developed strong relationships with his educators, which is the main reason we have continued his enrolment.<br><br>However, we have had some concerns regarding management, staff turnover, communication and the consistency of meals provided.<br><br>Our main concern has been the nutritional balance and variety of the children's meals. We noticed processed meats such as sausages, ham and bacon on the menu, as well as meals where the protein component was unclear. For example, pumpkin soup was served with crackers instead of the advertised garlic bread. We fully support vegetarian meals but believe these should also include adequate protein sources, such as lentils, beans or tofu.<br><br>We raised these concerns constructively, hoping to encourage greater variety and more balanced meals for all children. To management's credit, they acknowledged our feedback, reviewed the menu and proposed changes, which we appreciated.<br><br>Our disappointment arose during the follow-up process. When we requested written confirmation of the agreed changes, implementation dates and greater transparency about meals being served, communication was less clear than we had hoped.<br><br>In a subsequent response, the director stated that menus "cannot be developed around the preferences of one family alone." We found this disappointing, as our feedback was intended to address the nutritional quality of meals for all children, rather than request special treatment for our family.<br><br>We recognise that management has been dealing with staffing changes and appreciate the efforts made to address our concerns. However, we believe clearer communication and timely written follow-up would help build trust with families.<br><br>Another consideration is the fees. Treetops announced two fee increases within just over a month, on 22 June and 27 July 2026, citing rising costs and the need to maintain quality care. We understand these pressures and fully support fair pay for educators. However, given the increases, we would have hoped to see greater consistency in the overall service, particularly the meals and communication.<br><br>Overall, our experience with the educators has been very positive, while our experience with management has been mixed. We appreciate the care our child receives and acknowledge the steps management has taken, but believe there is room for improvement in communication, transparency and follow-through.<br><br>We hope this feedback is taken constructively, as we genuinely want to see the centre succeed and continue providing a positive environment for all children and families.