6 wks to 2 yrs
2 yrs to 3 yrs
3 yrs to 6 yrs
6 wks to 5 yrs
3 yrs to 6 yrs
In the nursery, passionate educators focus on laying a foundation for enduring curiosity, confidence and a love of learning. In the safe and stimulating environment, the children in the nursery can explore and play with their educators and friends. As well as lots of unstructured indoor and outdoor play, the children take part in programs such as music, Spanish, physical activity and the Book of the Month program. There is also a dedicated sleep room where the educators focus on developing positive sleep practices.
At Only About Children Artarmon, the children enjoy a calm and welcoming environment that balances play, exploration, and learning. The passionate educators create play-based learning activities designed to provide the children with nurturing experiences that encourage growth and development. The inquisitive toddlers are cared for in a safe and supportive environment that allows them to explore and discover the world around them, either on their own or within a small group. As well as lots of unstructured indoor and outdoor play, the children take part in programs such as music, Spanish, physical activity and the Book of the Month program. There is also a dedicated sleep room where the toddlers can rest and recharge.
At Only About Children Artarmon, 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 play-based curriculum. 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. As well as lots of unstructured play, the children take part in programs such as music, Spanish, physical activity 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. As well as being full of fun outdoor activities it supports 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 creative 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 mat with their educator to enjoy some nursery. Alex sings along to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and copies the educator’s hand movements.
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 daily music and drama. These programs also support Tess in her social, emotional and physical wellbeing too. All of which are so important for their next stage in life - school!
At Only About Children, the qualified and passionate educators seek to create a nurturing learning environment for the children in their care. They are committed to helping each child reach their full potential.
The educators help the children to feel safe, nurtured, stimulated and happy. They follow an innovative play-based curriculum, and use a small group learning environment where children’s successes, skills and challenges are monitored on an ongoing basis. Families can enjoy daily photos and updates from the centre, through their free app.
The educators at Only About Children understand that the needs of families can change regularly, which is why they offer a range of flexible care options. These include:
Flexi Care - Occasional Care: when a last-minute meeting or work trip leads to a change of plans, you can book in for flexible care with the centre where your child is already comfortable and settled.
Extra - Casual Days: for enrolled families, there is the option to book additional casual child care days outside of your usual days, simply by emailing the Director or through the centre’s app.
Sessional Care: the centre offers extended hours, but if your family don’t need the full duration you can opt for shorter session times to suit your needs.
Change of Days: when your needs change, simply log onto the centre’s app to make changes to the days you need child care, either permanently or on a short term basis.
Only About Children offers a seasonal menu designed by a dietitian. All meals and snacks are prepared fresh daily in the centre, including breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack. The centre’s nutrition program is designed to meet individual dietary requirements.
The centre offers a health program which supports each child’s physical health and emotional wellbeing. Children are supported with allied health professionals in areas such as Nutrition, Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy & Vision.
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.