My daughter attended Bardon Kindy in 2012 and we couldn't be happier. If you could imagine your ideal kindergarten, a place where kids can be kids, administration staff feel like part of the family, teachers are engaged, interested, friendly and their sole objective is to guide your child into becoming the best person they can be, then this is the Kindy for you!

This kindergarten just gets it right on so many levels. They are professional and follow guidelines, without being bogged down by bureaucracy. They have first class facilities, in 2012 they added a music garden to their existing playground which already included climbing equipment, two cubby houses and a giant sandpit. The Kindergarten curriculum is wonderful and children are exposed to many different experiences during the year, including rotating exhibits from the Queensland Museum, lots of sing songs and piano tunes, yoga movements incorporated into their day, travelling shows such as Under the Sea, Rainforest Experience, drumming, and Bee-Bot robots, to name a few.

Bardon Kindy has limited hours before and after care, again with wonderful staff. My daughter often attended and would tell me off if I picked her up too early! The afternoon session finishes at 4.30 pm, so won't suit everyone but could make all the difference to some families.

They are a very popular kindergarten so get your child's name down as soon as possible (the booking fee is currently $15). But if like me, you move into the area not long before the kindy year, still put your name down as we were fortunate to get a place at the end of the offers. The program operates on a 5 day fortnight, so 3 days one week, 2 days the next, in line with government regulations.

Bardon Kindy have an annual fundraiser called the Bardon Kindy Fair in May, this fair has to be seen to be believed. They even had pony rides last year! Even if you don't have children attending the Kindy, make sure you get along to the fair.

Approximate cost: $700-800 per term

I have dined at Sympatico twice as part of a group. Recently, my book club held there meeting there. We were given a long table that was able to hold our 10 members. We also had to cater for a friend with that needed gluten free food. We dined from their tapas menu and were treated to a wide variety of food. They have many gluten free options, and were happy to adapt a dessert on the specials menu to ensure it was gluten free. They did have other gluten free desserts to choose from.

From the moment you walk into the restaurant there is a cool and sophisticated atmosphere. The waitress was attentive and regularly refilled our water etc. As with many fine dining experiences the quality is high, but not always the quantity. The desserts were rather small I thought. When dining in a group there is only one bill, something to be aware of; however, they were happy to change a $20 into some coins for us which was lovely.

Approximate cost: $28

I often take my daughters to the Milk Cafe after school for a milkshake. I love walking into to the cafe because the decorating is fabulous and takes you back in time. They have a huge variety of different flavours and treats to go with your milkshake. My children love going there too, and what child wouldn't. I haven't tried their burgers yet, but we have eaten many a cupcake.