6 wks to 24 mths
2 yrs to 3 yrs
3 yrs to 5 yrs
Be the first to know when a spot comes up.
Regular excursions: educators take children on trips to local parks and nature reserves
Centre incursions: educational shows or special guests are invited to visit the centre
Sustainability program: through the vegetable garden children learn how to grow food and care for the planet by recycling and saving water.
Sports and fitness program: children take part in a sports program that helps build their confidence, skills and understanding of sport.
Music program: the children enjoy music incursions that teach them about rhythm, dance and instruments.
At First Grammar, the rooms are divided up according to the ages of the children. Each area is designed to provide the best possible early learning experience for each child.
Nursery and baby rooms: 6 weeks – 24 months
Educators try to provide a home away from home where children feel safe and secure. The children’s wellbeing and development is the focus, with age appropriate activities. Children take part in tummy time, sensory play, reading and singing.
Toddlers room: 2 – 3 years
Educators encourage the children to learn through play with a flexible routine. This will take the form of music, dance, games, and reading. Group play is designed to develop confidence and social skills. Books and language games are enjoyed, to develop communication, literacy and numeracy.
Junior preschool and preschool rooms: 3 years – 5 years
Children lead the curriculum depending on their interests and preferences for play. Play is used to encourage development, through music, dance, games, reading, technology and lots of outdoor fun. A school readiness program will help children prepare for the next step in their education.
The friendly, multicultural team has a flexible approach to learning. They allow the children to progress at their own pace as they learn through play and lead their own journey. Educators aim to provide a balance of experiences including indoor and outdoor; active and passive; individual, small and larger group experiences.
A focus on sustainability means that natural and recycled materials are part of the curriculum, which will stimulate children’s curiosity to nurture creativity and self-esteem. Parents are encouraged to bring in recyclables for the children to use in their arts and craft.
Technology forms part of the learning program and there are interactive whiteboards and screens for showing educational programs, which help the children prepare for school. Monitors in each room show the children’s daily activities. Parents can access photos and updates about their child’s day through the centre’s free app.
Educators see the most important goal of the early childhood curriculum is to help children become competent and capable learners. The curriculum encourages children to be active and creative explorers who are not afraid to try out their ideas and to have their own opinions. The goal for the educators is to help children become independent, self-confident inquisitive learners.
The centre’s programs embrace the Emergent Curriculum, focusing on the interests of the children, coupled with other leading philosophies such as Reggio Emilia and the Early Years Learning Framework. With a special focus on school readiness, educators encourage each child to reach their maximum potential at their own pace with the aim of achieving advanced standing on their entry to school.
All of the seasonal meals and snacks are provided for the children by the centre’s in-house chef, with vegetarian or halal options available. Food is used as a way to teach the children about the benefits of healthy eating.
The centre offers a 4-week rotating menu that was designed with the assistance of Munch and Move Australia. Children who attend a full day at the centre will be offered at least 50 per cent of their recommended daily dietary intake.
Children are taught about the benefits of growing food by helping out with the centre’s own vegetable garden. They also take part in cooking lessons and demonstrations with the centre chef and educators.
Care for children under school age, on premises especially built or adapted for early childhood education and care services. Private operators, local councils, community organisations, employers and non-profit organisations may run long day care centres.
Occasional, Casual or Flexible CareOccasional, Flexible or Casual Care Services provide short periods of care for children under school age. Families can access Occasional, Flexible or Casual Care on either a regular or casual basis a variety of reasons including, shift or part-time work, respite care, crisis and emergency care, shopping or attending appointments.
Pre-school / Kindergarten / PrepPre-school is a planned educational program for children in the years before a child commences school. Children are usually aged between 3 and 5 years of age. Pre-school may take place in a range of settings including a purpose built building, in a community setting, a school, as part of a long day care centre or a mobile or visiting service.
In January 2012 the National Quality Framework (NQF) came into effect across Australia.
The purpose of the NQF is to improve and standardise the quality of child care through a
range of measures including better staff to child ratios, higher staff qualifications
and an assessment and rating system designed to promote continuous improvement.
Under the NQF child care services are assessed and rated against the National Quality Standards (NQS).
The NQS measures the quality of early childhood education and care in Australia. It will cover
most long day care, family day care, preschool/kindergarten and outside school hours care services.
Under these standards child care services will be assessed and rated against the
seven quality areas, 18 standards and 58 elements that make up the NQS.