Inside Kool Kidz Rowville: Fun-Filled, Play-Based Learning
At Kool Kidz Rowville, every day is an experience of learning and growth. As a proud franchise owner for the past seven years, we spoke to Alan Cheong about his centre and how he ensures the best experiences for staff, children and families.
Alan is also the 2025 winner of the Kool Kidz Centre of the Year and Community Partnerships Centre of the Year.
Centre of the Year is awarded to a childcare service for its outstanding sense of community and teamwork. As the winner, Kool Kidz Rowville embodies the spirit of collaboration, where every team member works together seamlessly to create a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment for children to thrive and grow.
The Rowville team’s dedication to providing exceptional care is reflected in the personalised learning experiences that nurture each child’s development. This award celebrates the centre’s unwavering commitment to excellence.
The Community Partnerships Centre of the Year award recognises a service that has made a remarkable impact through its strong presence and active engagement within the community. Kool Kidz Rowville has developed meaningful relationships with parents and community groups, creating a sense of shared responsibility for the children’s learning and development.
Through collaboration with local groups and support for nearby businesses, they have fostered a network of support and resources for families. Additionally, they have become a safe, welcoming pillar of education within the community, offering a hub where families and children thrive. This centre’s dedication to community partnerships made it a well-deserving recipient of this award.
The Heart & Mind Behind Kool Kidz Rowville
When asked why he decided to become a Kool Kidz franchise owner, Alan’s answer was simple.
“I needed guidance and support, given my lack of experience,” he explained. “And to simplify my job as a business owner since the childcare industry is so heavily regulated. Kool Kidz offers so much support to franchise owners.”
But for Alan, childcare is not just about business. His passion stems from a deep-rooted love for children.
“Growing up in a big family, I have always been fond of playing with children,” he shared. “When I started to work in childcare, I also realised how rewarding the nature of early childhood education is. It is priceless to see the look on a child’s face when they achieve the next step in their life, from completing a tricky puzzle to graduating from their Kindergarten year.”
A World of Experiences
At Kool Kidz Rowville, every day brings new opportunities for learning and fun. The centre offers a wide array of incursions and excursions that keep children engaged and excited about learning. These include:
Weekly Wonders
Mondays start with Hey Dee Ho, while Wednesdays are for Mandarin classes. Fridays are all about staying active with Kelly Sports. But that’s just the beginning!
Monthly Marvels
Throughout the year, the centre hosts a variety of special visitors, including:
- Emergency services like CFA, Victoria Police, and Ambulance Victoria
- Council Recycling Truck for environmental awareness
- Uniting Dental Care for health education
- Animal of Oz for hands-on animal experiences
- Museums Victoria, bringing dinosaurs, ocean wonders, rockets, and robots to life
- Responsible Pet Ownership program
- Splash Water Safety lessons
- Road Safety education
- Yoga classes for little yogis
- Holly’s Backyard Bees for a buzz-worthy experience
- Science incursions from Labcoat Learning
- African Drumming for a rhythmic adventure
Exploring Beyond the Centre
The fun doesn’t stop at the centre’s doors. Kool Kidz Rowville offers exciting excursions throughout the year, including:
- Weekly Bush Kinder lessons at the local park
- Regular outings to Wellington Village Shopping Centre
- Termly visits to Rowville Manor Nursing Home
- Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium visits
- Chesterfield Farm adventures
Family Involvement
What sets Kool Kidz Rowville apart is the active involvement of families in these programs.
“We have families who bring their pets, like bearded dragons, for special visits,” Alan shared. “During cultural celebration times, we always have parents and grandparents visit rooms to read cultural stories, play instruments, and share cultural aspects with children.”
A Fresh and Inviting Environment
Alan believes in maintaining a beautiful and clean environment for everyone to enjoy.
“Every year during the Christmas period, which is our quietest time, I have painters out to refresh two rooms,” he explained.
“I constantly rotate between all the rooms in the centre instead of painting the entire centre every 5-6 years. I believe it’s important to maintain the centre’s appearance in a clean and beautiful condition, where everyone looks forward to coming into the centre at all times.”
The Kool Kidz Rowville Family
One of the most remarkable aspects of Kool Kidz Rowville is its staff retention.
“I have been very fortunate to have numerous staff and educators at the centre for over 15 years!” said Alan. “This year, we will be celebrating our 4th educator with 15 years of service, and more than half a dozen with over 5 years as well.”
This longevity translates to a wealth of experience and a true sense of family within the centre.
Alan’s philosophy is simple:
“I always believe if I look after the educators and teachers like it is my family, in return, they will be happy and look forward to coming to work. Hence, the children will get the best care and education alongside our Kool Beginnings Curriculum and the extensive activities we offer throughout the year.”
To show appreciation for his staff, Alan goes above and beyond.
“We do Christmas in July too, so we have Christmas twice a year, with food and an open bar. We also organise team events such as escape rooms to encourage teamwork and fun and give out staff awards.”
A Personal Touch
Kool Kidz Rowville offers a unique, personalised experience as a family-operated centre.
According to Alan, “A family-operated centre plays an important role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for children and families. I am very much involved in the centre’s daily operations. And as a family-operated centre, I can ensure every child can access the best possible care.”
This personal touch extends to the centre’s approach to diversity and inclusion.
“We love celebrating the beautiful, diverse cultures within our Rowville Community. Our tradition is inviting families to contribute to our map display through imprints of their hands, representing their homeland country’s colours and/or photos. These hands come together on our world map display to celebrate our Kool Kidz Rowville family as ‘We are one, and we are many.'”
Nurturing Bodies and Minds
At Kool Kidz Rowville, even mealtime is an adventure. The five-week rotational menu offers children a variety of delicious and nutritious meals.
According to Alan, “Nothing beats the Beef Tacos and chicken curry!”
But it’s not just about eating – it’s about learning, too.
“In the room, the kids often make food to celebrate a holiday, such as dumplings for Chinese New Year, Anzac biscuits, and pumpkin cake for Halloween. For Diwali, they make something spicy.”
What Parents & Kids Say
As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding, and the feedback from parents and children alike speaks volumes about Kool Kidz Rowville.
Parents consistently compliment the centre on:
- The big and welcoming reception area
- The impressive, clean, and homely setup with a positive vibe
- Fantastic communication skills from the administration and educators
- The surprising retention of staff
- The open-door policy
- Our willingness to take on suggestions and feedback
As for the kids? They love coming to Kool Kidz because of:
- Their favorite educators and teachers
- The centre pets, Ruby and Bailey (both Cavoodles)
- Playing with friends
- Drawing and building blocks
- Incursions and excursions
The Kool Kidz Rowville Difference
What sets Kool Kidz Rowville apart? Alan believes it’s the lasting impact they have on families:
“Due to the longevity of our staffing at Kool Kidz Rowville, we form strong and lasting bonds with our families that continue to grow over many years.
We also have strong communication and partnerships with families because of the transparency and consistency of our communication between the leadership team, educators, and families.
Our nurturing and responsive educators go above and beyond. This involves creating a warm, loving, and secure environment where children feel safe and secure to express themselves and develop.”
Conclusion
At Kool Kidz Rowville, every day is an opportunity for growth, learning, and fun. From the moment you step through the doors, you’re not just entering a childcare centre—you’re becoming part of a family that celebrates diversity, nurtures curiosity, and creates an environment where every child can thrive.
So, if you’re looking for a childcare centre that offers more than just care—a place where your child can learn, grow, and, most importantly, be happy—look no further than Kool Kidz Rowville. Book a tour today!
