A colorful cartoon illustration featuring characters of a dog dressed as an explorer, a blue-faced queen, a tree with clocks, and a green gemstone with blonde hair, surrounding a message that says 3 DAY GUARANTEE GOVERNMENT-BACKED CHILDCARE.

Chipmunks In The Garden

40+ Years of Family-Owned Childcare in Belfield

For over 40 years, Chipmunks in the Garden has been a trusted childcare centre in the Belfield community. We've built something rare: a genuinely small centre where every child is known by name and every family becomes part of our story.

The majority of our educators have worked at this centre for 10+ years, which means your child is cared for by familiar, trusted faces every single day, not a rotating roster of new staff.

We're proud to sit at the heart of Belfield, right next to Nature's Best and across the road from Mancini's. We're not the newest centre in the area, and we never set out to be. Our strength is longevity: decades of history, long-standing educators, and a close-knit community of local families who keep coming back.

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Feedback From Our Families

Online review from Anneka Marie praising a children's activity centre, highlighting its beautiful rooms, outdoor spaces, and excellent service.

Screenshot of a Google review by Sharleen Laupola, giving five stars. The review praises the daycare center for its friendly staff, positive atmosphere, organized environment, and photos showing happy children.

Review of Brittany Locker praising staff and environment at a childcare center.

Online review by Jess Aldred, five stars, praising a daycare for friendly, organized staff and quality education.

Online review for a daycare with a 5-star rating and positive comments about staff and activities.

Screenshot of a Google review for Stacey Bentley, a local guide with 11 reviews and 37 photos. The review gives 5 stars and recommends Chipmunks, mentioning her son has learned a lot there.

Chipmunks in the Garden, Preschool & Childcare in Belfield

Location: 10 Downes Street Belfield NSW 2191

Telephone: 02 9053 2160

Email: garden@chipmunkschildcare.com

Opening Times: 7:00am to 6:00pm (Monday – Friday)

Rooms: Tiny Wanderers (0-2 years), Little Explorers (2-3 years). The Preschoolers Room (3-5 years)

Inclusions: Registered under Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and NSW Start Strong Funding, Enhanced School Readiness and Transition to school program, Nappies & Wipes Provided, Complimentary gourmet meals provided.

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What makes our Belfield childcare centre different

We are a small, boutique childcare centre that has called Belfield home for over 40 years — right in the heart of the suburb, next to Nature's Best Belfield and across the road from Mancini's Restaurant. Being small means our educators know every child personally, and you'll never feel like just another family on a roll call.

Two children in costumes holding hands outside a wooden playhouse

Belfield daycare centre features

✔ 40+ years operating as a trusted childcare centre in Belfield

✔ A small, intimate centre, not a big-box operation

✔ Majority of educators have worked at this centre for 10+ years

✔ Long-standing director providing stability and continuity

✔ Family owned & operated since day one

✔ Tiny Wanderers capped at 8 babies for dedicated care

✔ Little Explorers & Preschoolers capped at 15 children each

✔ Care for children 6 weeks – 5 years

✔ 3 separate rooms, 2 separate large outdoor yards

✔ Cooked meals prepared at the centre, 4-week rotating menu

✔ Separate meals prepared for children under 12 months

✔ Affordable fees

✔ Open 7am–6pm

✔ School readiness program for preschool-aged children

✔ Daily communication via closed Facebook family group

✔ Monthly observations on your child's development

The latest updates on Belfield childcare

Please use this next section to scroll through all the fun activities we have enjoyed over the past few weeks here at Chipmunks in the Garden. Our team of educators support the children’s interests and development needs by creating fun, meaningful and engaging activities at Belfield Childcare. All of our activities are age appropriate and endeavour to support the developmental needs for each age group.

Chipmunks in the Garden - Early Learning Centre Belfield

Take a look at our childcare Belfield

Chipmunks in the Garden is divided across 3 rooms that cater for each age group; 0-2 years, 2-3 years & 3-5 years. Through this gallery you can view each room along with activities we have had available to the children. You will also be able to view our 2 outdoor areas; 0-2 years outdoor play space and 2-5 years outdoor play space.

Children's reading nook with wooden bookshelves, various children's books displayed, a green sofa, and small wooden stools on a rug.

Child and adult making sushi using a bamboo mat, with various ingredients on the table.

Exterior of a daycare center named "Chipmunks in the Garden Early Learning Centre," featuring signage promoting enrollment for ages 0-5, with a welcoming entry gate.

Two children in a classroom reading a book together at a table, with green chairs and educational toys in the background.

Children sitting at a table in a classroom, practicing writing the letter 'E' on worksheets. A potted plant is on the table, and there are shelves with colorful items in the background.

Young child in green sweater looking at a paper plate with colorful fruit and vegetable stickers.

A woman reading a book to a group of young children in a classroom setting. The children are seated around a circular table in high chairs and on a couch. The room has educational toys and a colorful chalkboard. Natural light enters through a window.

A toddler sitting in a high chair eating macaroni and cheese from a blue bowl with assistance from an adult wearing gloves, in a play kitchen setting.

Preschool classroom with green chairs and tables covered with Lego blocks and animal toys.

Outdoor playground with artificial grass, shade structures, a wooden playhouse, slides, sandbox with toy trucks, and climbing equipment.

Child sitting on a chair in a playroom with foot being painted for art activity, smiling at the camera.

Vertical garden with hanging planters made from recycled plastic bottles attached to a wooden lattice, labeled 'Preschool Greenhouse' with greenery around.

A young boy writes on a whiteboard labeled 'D for' with examples like Dinosaur, Dog, and Denali. An adult woman watches him. The whiteboard has a card with the number 4 and the word 'four' on it. The classroom has shelves with books, storage containe

A young child wearing an orange Halloween-themed shirt is sitting at a table, gluing colorful square pieces of paper onto a white sheet of paper.

A young girl with pigtails smiling and holding a sheet with colorful frog stickers in a classroom.

A young girl with brown hair and a big smile, wearing a long-sleeve shirt with colorful flower patterns, holding a green presentation board with a photo of herself in a sun hat.

A young girl with dark hair wearing a colorful Easter hat decorated with felt eggs, bunnies, pom-poms, feathers, and a yellow chick, is sitting at a table decorating a colorful Easter egg with markers, surrounded by various craft supplies and green p

Young girl playing with colorful plastic gears and numbers on a white tray in a classroom.

A young girl with curly hair wearing a green apron shows her painted hands to the camera in a classroom. She is seated at a table with a yellow paper on which green, purple, and red handprints and painted streaks are visible. Other children and class

Two young girls in green aprons are painting on a yellow paper tablecloth with watercolor paints and brushes, creating colorful handprints and animal shapes.

A woman and a young girl are engaged in an educational activity involving colorful rice, green leaves, and toy animals at a table. The woman is pointing at the items on the tray, and the girl is observing with interest.

A young boy in a blue long-sleeve shirt playing with small toy cars and animal figurines on a large tray filled with colorful rice and green leaves, outdoors at a table.

Two children playing at a table with colored rice and toy skeletons, with a blackboard reading 'Discovering Letter C'.

A young boy with sunglasses lying on a blue reclining chair, undergoing a dental check-up with a female dental professional wearing gloves, in a clinic with educational posters of fruits and vegetables on the wall.

Two women are leading a presentation about teeth and dental health to a group of children in a classroom decorated with colorful educational posters and decorations.

Children drawing on a large piece of paper, which has a house drawing with red coloring and various shapes.

A young boy coloring on a large piece of paper with red markers in a classroom. The paper features drawings and writing, including a sports field and the words 'Fire Fighters Day'.

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Find Chipmunks in the Garden Preschool – daycare in Belfield

For families across Strathfield, Campsie, Belmore, Lakemba, Croydon Park, Greenacre, Ashbury and Ashfield looking for a small centre with a genuine sense of community, Chipmunks in the Garden has been a trusted part of the Belfield neighbourhood for years. We're conveniently located just down from Nature's Best Fruit shop and Mancini's Pizza, with parking available along Downes Street or in the 3-hour car park across the street.

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Meet the Team

Taylor

Operations Manager NSW
I believe every child deserves access to high-quality education where they can learn and thrive. I am committed to creating a safe, fun, and engaging environment that supports each child’s development, while building strong partnerships with families to support their learning and wellbeing.
Zehra

Belfield Childcare Centre Director
I believe every child is capable, confident and full of potential. My role as an educator is to create a safe, nurturing and engaging environment where children feel a strong sense of belonging, being and becoming. Through intentional teaching, play-based learning and meaningful interactions, I support children to explore, discover and develop independence and confidence.
Valerie

2IC & Preschool Leader
Working with children has definitely built my knowledge about children’s development. I am dedicated to the social and emotional development of each child and make it my goal to make sure that each child receives the best care and love that they all deserve.
Joanne

Tiny Wanderers Room Leader
Working with children is fun and joyful. I enjoy working with children. Every child is special for me and I enjoy watching them grow up in my care. I enjoy supporting each child’ needs, strengths and providing a safe environment. Developing child’ interests and implementing it into the program.
Lucy

Belfield Childcare Qualified Centre Cook
As a cook, I will plan and prepare nutritious well presented and appropriate meals and snacks for the children within the centres. I respect individual requirements such as medical conditions, food preferences and cultural considerations and ensure children’s health and wellbeing whilst.
Flora

Little Explorer's Room Leader
I enjoy hearing the voices of the children and seeing their faces light up with fervour each time they learn something new undoubtedly brings boundless joy.
Maricel

Preschool Room Educator
As an educator, I am committed to establishing a strong and secure connection with the children, families and colleagues. I believe in the importance of constructive learning environments to ensure the child’s learning and development. I will always help the children receive the best care and learning I can give them.
Nafisa

Preschooler 3-5 Educator
I believe in nurturing each child’s individuality through a supportive, play-based environment. My goal is to foster children’s love of learning while promoting social, emotional and cognitive growth.
Maryam

Room Assistant
As an early childhood educator, I believe that a nurturing and comfortable learning environment is essential for fostering curiosity and growth. When children feel safe and supported, they are more open to exploring new ideas.
Zeba

Assistant Educator

I believe every child is different has their own strengths, interest, and way of learning. As an educator, I aim to create a safe and welcoming space where children can grow socially, emotionally and mentally. I also believe families play an important role in a child’s learning, so I focus on building strong relationships with them to help every child feel supported and included.