Extra Special Childcare
KindiCare makes your childcare search simple, and if you’re looking for a centre with a great point of difference, check out these four options from G8 Education.
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
Your child is an amazing little person who’s full of curiosity, energy and potential, so it’s only fitting that you find an early learning centre as amazing as them!
And G8 Education is here to help.
G8 has roughly 400 early learning centres dotted around Australia, and if you’re looking for some extra special options on the East Coast, then here are four offerings to get excited about!
1. Bush Kinder at Kindy Patch Clarinda in Melbourne, VIC
Kindy Patch Clarinda is proof that an early learning centre definitely doesn’t need to be rural or remote to have an incredible Bush Kinder program.
This cosmopolitan centre has a great connection to our country, and the children are incredibly fortunate to have Uncle Ian Hunter visiting them each month.
Uncle Ian Hunter is a Wurundjeri Elder who talks about native plants during his Bush Kinder activities, and also shares creation stories.
He uses Indigenous symbols in his storytelling to teach the children about cultural awareness, creativity, and connecting to the land and the community.
These activities mean a lot, because they foster empathy and understanding of different perspectives, while promoting reconciliation; and the whole outlook at Kindy Patch Clarinda is positive.
The team uses a program called Rhythm and Movement for Self-Regulation (RAMSR), which teaches the children important skills, like patience, respect, turn-taking and concentration.
And it’s no coincidence that this centre has an Outstanding KindiCare Rating of 9.7 and an Exceeding Rating under the National Quality Standard.
Centre Manager, Pavithra De Alwis, and her team are true professionals, with their heart in the right place; and if you’re located near Clarinda, this centre is a must-see.
2. Mud play at Kindy Patch Medowie in Port Stephens, NSW
Although lots of centres have sandpits, Kindy Patch Medowie goes one step further by having its very own mud pit!
This messy, mucky, outdoor area is a huge hit with the children; and whether they’re making mud pies in the mud kitchen, jumping in muddy puddles like Peppa Pig, or turning the mud pit into a construction pit, the educational benefits run deep.
Mud play is great for children’s sensory development, social skills, emotional wellbeing, and creativity.
Grappling with mud (and muddy playthings) can also help to improve children’s motor skills and coordination in an open-ended way.
And G8 Education’s Chief Education and Learning Officer, Ali Evans, says, “Studies have shown that mud play can also improve children’s immune systems.”
This is all great to know, and if you’re located near Kindy Patch Medowie, you should definitely dip your toe into their education and care offering, because they have an Excellent KindiCare Rating, rave reviews from parents, and a hose to wash off all the mud before home time!
3. Yoga at Headstart Early Learning Centre Oatlands in Sydney, NSW
When you’re little, life can sometimes be a lot, and Headstart Oatlands has found the perfect way to support early learners’ physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
The centre integrates yoga into the play-based learning; and this safe, stress-free activity is a huge positive for the pre-schoolers who practice it.
Centre Manager, Kaitlyn McWhirter, says yoga helps the children to be more aware of their bodies and in control of their minds.
They build strength, flexibility and coordination as they do different moves, and Kaitlyn says yoga also encourages young learners to slow down and focus.
She explains that, “Yoga nurtures concentration, stamina, resilience, and the ability to be present in the moment, skills that support development across all learning areas.”
And when it comes to those big emotions and tricky transitions, yoga teaches the children simple techniques (like intentional breathing) so they can settle themselves and move more smoothly through the day.
For all these reasons, yoga is something to look for when searching for childcare, and Headstart Oatlands is definitely worth exploring if you’re located in western Sydney.
4. STEM at The Learning Sanctuary Freshwater in Sydney, NSW
STEM stands for ‘Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths,’ and although some centres touch on STEM a little, STEM is part of everyday learning at The Learning Sanctuary Freshwater.
Under the guidance of Early Childhood Teacher, Skye Bucknall, and Centre Manager, Lucy Gorman, the children dive into truly dynamic STEM experiences.
Early learners are given open-ended materials to design, build and experiment with.
They’re encouraged to test ideas, find solutions, explain their thinking, and talk about STEM concepts as a matter of course.
Families absolutely love the thought and support that goes into the program at this Northern Beaches centre, and once you’ve read all their five-star reviews, you’ll be inspired to investigate this centre yourself!
