Sonas Huntingdale – the ‘mothership’ of the Sonas brand – has celebrated its 7th birthday in a day of fun, colour and excitement.

Complete with party hats, a pinata and plenty of fairy bread, children joined educators in revelling in the milestone.

Sonas Huntingdale became the ‘mothership’, the foundation of where the Sonas philosophy grew and flourished and other centres began to branch from.

Anissa Hamilton, Sonas educator

The centre, which was established in 2016 and now holds a special place in Sonas history, is where Sonas’ unique teaching and care pedagogy was created, spawning a model for another 15 successful childcare centres across the Perth metropolitan area.

Inaugural centre manager Anissa Hamilton helped shape the Sonas philosophy at Huntingdale.

“Sonas Huntingdale became the ‘mothership’, the foundation of where the Sonas philosophy grew and flourished and other centres began to branch from,” Anissa said.

“Through listening and responding to the needs of children and their families, sharing our knowledge of child development and valuing the importance of play that Sonas has been able to embed a philosophy that is unique and unlike other childcare providers.”

At Huntingdale, the family grouping structure was trialled, enabling children of mixed ages to play together and learn from each other, rather than be separated into chronologically aged rooms.

“The family grouping encouraged children to watch, investigate, explore and scaffold one another’s education in an environment that allows children to be in control of their learning, to take risks and be challenged,” Anissa said.

“Family grouping saw beautiful friendships form, not just between the children but also between the families and educators. These relationships have enabled Sonas to develop a great rapport with the community.”

Sonas Owner Shelley Prendergast said the Huntingdale centre was the catalyst for the entire Sonas brand and ethos.

“I’m incredibly proud of Sonas and the way we have expanded while keeping the families and children we care for central to everything we do,” Shelley said.

“As Sonas has grown, Huntingdale became our model centre where educators learn and where we embed the Sonas philosophy.”