• Cooking lessons with the centre chef
• Sustainability program
• Regular incursions
• Yoga and meditation program
• Centre pets
• Wildlife program

At Imagine Childcare and Kindergarten Fairfield Waters, the play-based curriculum is meaningful and based on evidence and understanding of the developmental and emotional needs of each child. The educators base their learning on approved Frameworks and theorists. The Educational Philosophy is based on Howard Gardiner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. 

The centre provides an inclusive program, tailored to the individual needs of children. When developing lifelong skills, the educators believe that it is important to introduce all children to the world holistically. Along with the typical development skills that are learnt, children will develop empathy, social connectedness, sharing, understanding, and a way to develop awareness of, and support for, their peers as they immerse themselves in the program. This learning assists to create lifelong positive social connections.

Nursery : 6 weeks to 2 years

The educators have strong relationships with the children and aim to make each baby feel safe, secure and supported. The educators bond with the children by taking part in different activities, and just by spending time with them. The activities are designed to engage and stimulate learning. This type of play helps children learn skills such as communicating, thinking, problem-solving, moving, and socialising.

Toddlers:  15 months to 2 years

Educators seek to build relationships with the curious toddlers, through a variety of activities that help engage and stimulate the children. Learning through play is the main way that children grow and develop. Play allows children to explore, observe, experiment, solve problems, and sometimes make mistakes.

Junior Kindy: 2 years to 3 years 

The children enjoy the indoor-outdoor program, as educators understand that for a lot of children they prefer to play and learn outside. Some of the activities include looking at books, painting, running, and playing games. All of the activities help the children learn independently, in small groups, or as a  whole group.

Pre Kindergarten:  2.5 years to 5 years

The educators run an indoor outdoor program, to allow the children to run and expel energy. This focuses on the children’s gross motor development as well as teaching them how to socialise with others.  The educators spend time getting to know the children, building a reciprocal relationship with them and their parents. Some of the activities include paint, playdough, construction and puzzles. 

Kindergarten: 3 years to 5 years  

The educators in the kindergarten room focus on play-based learning, which is delivered as part of an approved Kindergarten Program. This program will help prepare children for school, develop a love of learning, make friends and develop skills useful for life. The flexible indoor-outdoor program is tailored to the individual development of each child and embraces the educators’ strong connections with families. There are specific areas for reading, writing, and construction, with a view of preparing children for the next steps in formal learning. 

The centre understands that nutrition plays an important role in each child’s physical development as well as their attitudes towards healthy food.

All meals and snacks are prepared onsite by professional qualified chefs every day. The children work alongside the educators to care for the centre’s vegetable patches, and these vegetables are then used in the kitchen or for cooking experiences with the children.

The educators use meal time as an opportunity to share positive experiences around food and to help children develop social skills such as sharing and turn taking. They role model positive behaviours and attitudes, and involve the children in the menu planning.

All food allergies, intolerances, cultural requirements and family preferences are taken into account by consulting with parents when meal planning for the children.

The children enjoy lunches such as sandwiches, risotto, shepherd’s pies, home-made sausage rolls, pasta and tacos. For snacks they enjoy fresh fruit, homemade muffins and slice.

Morning

Harriet is ten months old and she starts her day off exploring the outdoor play area and gardens. Her Mum chats to her educators about her sleep patterns before she heads off to work.

Lunchtime

It’s nearly nap time and Harriet and her friends are sitting with an educator who is reading some books outside in the shade. Harriet is happy that her favourite book is being read next.

Afternoon

The children are enjoying some play dough. With the help of her educator, Harriet is squashing and squeezing the dough into shapes.