Harmony Early Education Ripley - Open now

Healthy Menus

Our bi-weekly seasonal menus are thoughtfully curated by our chefs and displayed on the kitchen noticeboard in each centre. They offer a variety of options that can be tailored to meet the individual needs of every child. We have collaborated with medical and paediatric nutrition experts to ensure our meals align with Nutrition Australia’s national guidelines, promoting healthy growth and development.

Mealtime Philosophy

Healthy eating patterns and positive attitudes toward food are shared by children and staff. We create a pleasant, culturally-appropriate atmosphere for children at mealtimes which encourages social interaction and learning.

Relaxed

Mealtimes are relaxed and supervised to encourage healthy eating practices

Inclusive

Meals include a variety of textures and tastes appropriate to the developmental stages of different age groups

Variety

Harmony chefs prepare a range of foods such as vegetables, fruits, lean meat, fish, chicken, milk, yoghurts and cheese

Encouraging

Children are encouraged to drink water and milk throughout the day

Food Allergies

Traces of nuts can be extremely dangerous for children with allergies. Therefore, Harmony is a ‘NUT-FREE zone.’ If your child has other food allergies, please inform us so we can make the necessary accommodations. We strive to ensure your child feels comfortable and receives the foods that are best for them.

In our studios catering to two to three year old children, we support the following core concepts:

Rest and sleep times

As a service we begin to develop rest and sleep rituals for our group of two to three year olds. If your child does not require a sleep during their day, we offer alternative, quiet-time learning experiences.

Mealtimes

Children are viewed as confident and capable during mealtime and are aware of their own needs. We know that they’ll eat as much or as little as their body needs.

Independent toileting

To ensure toileting success, educators invite children to this experience with patience and trust. We create an unrushed and positive experience for your child while they gain toileting independence. Your child will be supported with the utmost respect and with special attention to their dignity during these moments.

Creative experiences

We invite children to explore a selection of materials and resources, colour palettes, utensils and surfaces each day – all readily available and within easy access to express their thinking and understanding of the world.

Exploratory times

Each day, our two-threes are offered large blocks of uninterrupted time for play and inquiry. Children at Harmony can plan for play across all our spaces using a wide variety of resources and materials with support from peers and educators.At this age, the children learn through exploration, investigation and inquiry.  The passionate early childhood educators at the centre welcome each child with enthusiasm and respect. They know that this age group is curious, energetic and in a growth leap – that’s why the educators focus on learning about each child and develop a self-paced environment to help them flourish and succeed. Educators encourage comprehensive, two-way communication to keep parents informed with how their child is progressing.

Rest and sleep times: the educators begin to develop rest and sleep rituals for the two to three year olds. For those children who do not require sleep during their day, educators offer alternative, quiet-time learning experiences.

Mealtimes: children are viewed as confident and capable during mealtime and are aware of their own needs. Educators know that they’ll eat as much or as little as their body needs.

Independent toileting: educators invite children to this experience with patience and trust. They create an unrushed and positive experience for each child while they gain toileting independence. A child will be supported with the utmost respect and with special attention to their dignity during these moments.

Creative experiences: educators invite children to explore a selection of materials and resources, colour palettes, utensils and surfaces each day – all readily available and within easy access to express their thinking and understanding of the world.

Exploratory times: each day, the children are offered large blocks of uninterrupted time for play and inquiry. Children at Harmony can plan for play across all our spaces using a wide variety of resources and materials with support from peers and educators.

Rest times

Another opportunity for children to begin to develop autonomy as they are supported by educators to go to sleep or rest independently – including our older infants. All children can rest or participate in quiet time learning activities for a period during the day to recharge for the afternoon.

Small group

Times are offered throughout the day and include music, dance, story reading and storytelling, small and large muscle physical play, games with rules, and reflections on learning.

Creative experiences

We invite children to explore a selection of materials and resources, colour palettes, utensils and mediums each day– all readily available and within easy access to express their thinking and understanding of the world.

Exploratory times

Each day children are offered large blocks of uninterrupted time for play and inquiry. Children at Harmony can plan for play across all our spaces using a wide variety of resources and materials with support from peers and educators.

Share Live Learning

View your child’s individual learning journeys and provide educators with updates (Moments) so tailored learning can continue in the centre or home.

• Live learning documents capture milestones for both educators and families to build upon.
• Families can comment on shared observations or contact educators directly via Messenger.
• Your child’s educators can create and share visually appealing learning stories with families.

Digital Attendance

Families can sign children in and out of Harmony centres quickly and easily with just a few taps on their mobile device.

• Attendance tracking is secure and encrypted, so your attendance data is accurate and safe.
• Accurate tracking of which authorised individual dropped off or picked up each child.
• Families can easily track their children’s attendance or time spent in care, in the Home app.

In-App Payments & Bookings

Families have the flexibility to make payments and bookings while on the go while complying with the new electronic payment of gap fee regulations.

• View statements and set up preferred payment method (bank transfer, credit card or debit card).
• View availability and make bookings (including casual bookings) quickly and easily from your mobile device.
• Never miss a payment with Direct Debit (XPay) and automatic reminders (SMS, email, or notifications).