Only About Children West Pymble

In the nursery, qualified educators deliver the Grow Curriculum specifically tailored to the needs of infants aged 6 weeks to 2 years. The curriculum is based on showing trust in babies as capable learners and respect for infants as unique individuals. Qualified educators help to build secure and reciprocal relationships, providing space for babies to explore, learn and develop. As well as lots of unstructured indoor and outdoor play, the children take part in programs such as music, Spanish language, physical activity and the Book of the Month program.

In the toddler room educators deliver the Grow Curriculum specifically for the 2-3 year age group. It’s been expertly designed to encourage younger children to explore, solve problems, create, construct and interact with peers. It’s a holistic curriculum that immerses education and development experiences into daily practice. The qualified educators, along with the education, allied health and wellbeing specialists work together to ensure your child is meeting all the right milestones. As well as lots of unstructured indoor and outdoor play, the children take part in daily programs such as music, Spanish language, Active and the Book of the Month.

In Preschool the educators create quality experiences that place your child in the best position to begin school. Skills such as reading, writing, numeracy and technology are all introduced through the Grow Curriculum specifically designed for the 3 – 6 year old age group. The children’s independence and resilience is developed through small group activities and lots of outdoor play, which will help them enjoy a smooth transition to school. 

The qualified educators, along with the education, allied health and wellbeing specialists work together to ensure your child is meeting all the right milestones. As well as lots of unstructured play, the children take part in programs such as music, Spanish language, Active and the Book of the Month program.

Morning 

Sam is nine months old and loves his days at Only About Children, especially when he is greeted with a warm welcome from his caregiver! To start the day the educators have set out open ended musical instruments for the nursery children to explore with purpose and concentration. Sam chooses an egg shaker and enjoys the sound it makes as he moves it from side to side. One-on-one time, group play and aged based learning are a priority at this age. 

Sam then joins his friends who are enjoying a story with their educator, as part of the centre’s ‘Book of the Month’ program. Today it is “I Need a Hug”, about a tiny porcupine who wants a cuddle. Nursery children are introduced to literacy early on allowing them to become familiar with the concepts, text and illustrations. 

Lunch & Sleep Time  

As much as possible, routines are based on each child’s home routine. After a healthy lunch Sam goes down for his sleep in the nursery cot room. Sam loves that his educator gives him a big hug and checks on him while he sleeps. Cot linen, nappies and formula are all provided. He just brings his sleeping bag and comforter.

Afternoon 

Sam and his friends head outside to the grassed area where the environment has been carefully designed to be safe, challenging and stimulating for children 0-2 years. Today they are rolling the ball to each other which helps support the development of motor skills, resilience and individual confidence. 

Morning 

Alex is two and a half years old and loves to join his fellow room friends for breakfast before heading out to the toddler play environment for an abundance of open ended materials and experiences. Alex and his mates are free to discover the space safely and independently with educator supervision. 

The educators like to arrange activities in small groups in intentional teaching settings to support the children with their growing curiosity and sense of self. Today Alex’s group is collecting different shaped leaves that they will use in a create project. 

Lunch & Rest Time  

Alex loves to help the educators weed and water the herb garden. Today he picks some of the mint to taste. He takes the rest inside to the campus cook to use in the cacao mint muffins for afternoon tea. For lunch Alex eats his favourite Chicken and Mushroom Risotto. 

Busy toddlers need time to rest so this is integrated into every day. Alex has dropped his day sleep so enjoys quiet reading and relaxation. 

Afternoon 

The children are sitting on the yearning mat with their educator to enjoy a Dreamtime book about Tiddalick the Frog Who Caused A Flood. The children take turns trying to make each other laugh like in the book and decide that tickling each other works best.

Morning 

Tess is 5 years old and likes to start her day with her Educator and small group playing numeracy and literacy activities as part of the broader campus school readiness program. 

Lunch & Learn  

The educators discuss ways that children can contribute to reducing climate change. Tess suggests that people could take shorter showers to save water, and her friends agree that they will try that too. Sustainability practices are so embedded in the day that Tess’s group empty the water cups straight into the garden after lunch.  

Afternoon 

Tess loves the friendships she has made at the centre, and gets great joy out of sharing their creative passions through music, art and dramatic play. It’s almost Mothers Day, so Tess and her friends make cards for their mums and grandmothers, whilst practicing writing their names in it. A very important skill for their next stage in life – school!