New Smartboards at Your Childcare Centre!
We are delighted to announce that we have recently installed smartboards across all of our Active Kids Group Childcare Centres, and we are eagerly looking forward to incorporating them into our learning.
We believe that by embracing interactive technology in our learning environments, we can greatly enhance the quality of your child’s early learning journey.
From responding to questions by writing on the screen to exploring new concepts through interactive activities, the possibilities are endless.
Here are some of the incredible benefits your Active Kids Group learner can expect from our new smartboards:
- Hands-On Learning: Smartboards provide hands-on activities that promote active participation which foster a deeper understanding of concepts.
- Increased Engagement: Smartboards offer a level of engagement far beyond other educational tools such as whiteboards and projector screens.
- Collaboration and Communication: Educators and children can interact with the smartboard using their fingers or smart pens, encouraging collaboration and real-time sharing of ideas.
- Customisable Lessons: Smartboards give educators the opportunity to create dynamic lessons with interactive animations and graphics.
If you have any questions or would like more information about how smartboards will be used in our curriculum, please feel free to contact us.
Benefits of Excursions for Children during their Early Learning Years
As children grow, it’s essential to expose them to various experiences and environments to develop their social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Excursions are an excellent way to achieve this, especially during their Early Learning Years. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the benefits of excursions for children in childcare.
- Enhanced Learning Experience: Excursions provide an opportunity for children to learn in a new environment outside their early learning centre. They get to experience firsthand what they learned in class and understand how it applies to the real world. For example, a trip to a science museum can help children understand science concepts and theories better. Excursions help children see the relevance and practicality of what they learn at childcare.
- Improved Social Skills: Excursions promote social interaction among children. They have the opportunity to bond with their classmates and childcare educators outside the school environment, leading to improved communication and teamwork skills. Moreover, during excursions, children may interact with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and age groups. This helps them develop an understanding and appreciation for diversity, leading to better social skills.
- Exposure to New Environments: Children who go on excursions get to experience new environments, which helps them broaden their horizons. They learn about new cultures, customs, and traditions, which fosters a sense of respect and tolerance for different ways of life. Additionally, visiting new places can help children develop a sense of adventure and curiosity, leading to a more profound appreciation for the world around them.
- Hands-on Learning: Excursions provide hands-on learning opportunities for children outside their childcare centre in Sydney. They get to see and touch the things they’re learning about, which makes the learning experience more memorable and effective. For example, a trip to a farm in Sydney can help children understand the importance of agriculture and farming practices.
- Positive Memories: Excursions create positive memories for children that they will cherish for a long time. These memories help build a positive attitude towards learning and can lead to increased engagement in the classroom. Positive memories from excursions across Sydney can also inspire children to pursue new interests and hobbies.
In conclusion, excursions are an excellent way to enhance a child’s early learning experience, social skills, and exposure to new environments. They offer hands-on learning opportunities that help children develop a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the world around them. Moreover, excursions create positive memories that can inspire children to continue learning and exploring. Therefore, it’s essential to provide opportunities for children in our childcare centres to go on excursions across Sydney to help them grow and develop.
Experience Exceptional Childcare at Our Rated Exceeding Childcare Centre in Zetland
As a childcare centre in Zetland, receiving an exceeding quality rating is a significant achievement. It means that we have demonstrated a level of excellence in all areas of our operation and have exceeded the expectations set by the National Quality Standards. At our daycare centre, Active Kids Moore Park, we take great pride in the care we provide for the children in our care, and we are thrilled to have received this recognition.
The process of receiving an exceeding rating involved a rigorous assessment of our operations by an external assessor. The assessment covered seven quality areas, including educational program and practice, children’s health and safety, physical environment, staffing arrangements, relationships with children, collaborative partnerships with families and communities, and governance and leadership.
We knew that to receive an exceeding rating, we had to be proactive in all areas of our operations. As a team, we worked tirelessly to ensure that our educational programs were tailored to meet the individual needs and interests of each child in our care. Our teachers used a play-based learning approach to promote children’s development, and they used a variety of teaching strategies to keep children engaged and motivated.
In terms of children’s health and safety, we implemented strict policies and procedures to ensure that our childcare centre in Zetland was a safe and healthy environment for children to learn and play. Our centre was equipped with all necessary safety features, including smoke detectors, fire alarms, and emergency evacuation plans. We also ensured that all our staff was trained in first aid and emergency procedures.
We took great care in creating a physical environment that was inviting, warm, and stimulating for children. We used bright colours, interesting textures, and natural materials to create an environment that was both aesthetically pleasing and conducive to learning. We also made sure that we had a variety of play areas to meet the different needs and interests of children.
Staffing arrangements were another area where we had to demonstrate excellence. We made sure that we had a good ratio of qualified staff to children, and we provided ongoing professional development and support for our staff. We also encouraged staff to develop positive relationships with children and families, and we fostered a culture of respect, inclusivity, and open communication.
Collaborative partnerships with families and communities were another key area where we had to excel. We actively involved parents and caregivers in their children’s learning and development, and we sought their feedback and input to continuously improve our programs. We also worked closely with other community organizations to provide additional resources and support to children and families in need.
Finally, governance and leadership were critical areas where we had to demonstrate excellence. We had a strong leadership team that provided guidance, support, and direction to our staff. We also had robust policies and procedures in place to ensure that our childcare centre in Sydney was managed efficiently, effectively, and ethically.
Receiving an exceeding quality rating is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our team. It is a recognition of our commitment to providing the best possible care and education for the children in our care. We are proud of this achievement and will continue to strive for excellence in all areas of our operations.
If you’re looking for a high-quality program for your child, we invite you to visit our childcare centre in Zetland by contacting us today.
Discover the Best Preschool Program near Strathfield for Your Child’s Early Education
As a parent, one of the most important decisions you will make for your child is where they will attend preschool. At a young age, children are like sponges, absorbing new information and skills at an incredible rate. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a preschool program that will provide your child with a solid foundation for their future academic and social learning. At Active Kids Homebush, our childcare centre near Strathfield, we are proud to offer a comprehensive preschool program that is designed to give children the best start in life.
Our preschool program is geared towards children aged three to five years old, and it’s designed to support the growth and development of each child. Our curriculum is based on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), which is a nationally recognized program that promotes learning through play. The EYLF is a comprehensive guide that outlines the key outcomes that children should achieve by the time they reach the end of their preschool years.
At our Strathfield childcare centre, we use a play-based approach to teaching, which means that learning is integrated into everyday activities and experiences. Through play, children can develop their social skills, emotional regulation, and problem-solving abilities. Our childcare in Sydney’s Western Suburbs is structured to provide children with a balance of structured activities and free play, so they can learn at their own pace and in their own way.
Our team of experienced educators works closely with each child to provide individualized support and guidance. We believe that every child is unique, and we strive to create a safe and nurturing environment where they can explore their interests and abilities. Our educators regularly observe and document each child’s progress, and we use this information to create personalized learning plans for each child.
In addition to our play-based curriculum, we also offer a range of extra-curricular activities to enhance each child’s learning experience. These activities include music and movement, art and craft, and outdoor play. We also organize excursions around Homebush and Strathfield to expose children to new experiences and broaden their horizons.
At our childcare centre near Strathfield, we understand the importance of creating a strong partnership with parents and caregivers. We regularly communicate with families to keep them informed about their child’s progress and to involve them in their child’s learning journey. We also encourage parents to participate in centre activities and events, so they can become part of our vibrant and supportive community.
In conclusion, our preschool program at our childcare centre near Strathfield is designed to provide children with a strong foundation for their future academic and social success. Through a play-based approach to learning, individualized support, and a range of extra-curricular activities, we strive to help each child reach their full potential. If you’re looking for a high-quality preschool program for your child, we invite you to visit our childcare centre by contacting us today.
Start Strong Childcare Program
Save up to $2110 per year for your preschooler at our childcare centres in Sydney with the Start Strong Program!
The NSW Government has introduced a new preschool fee relief program through the Start Strong Affordable Preschool initiative in 2023 as part of its $1.3 billion Affordable Preschool program from the start of 2023.
Families attending a preschool program at a long day care service will receive up to $2110 per year subsidy for every child, who is at least 4 years old, on or before 31 July 2023 and enrolled in a long day care preschool program.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Start Strong Affordable Preschool fee relief program, a child will need to be at least 4 years old on or before 31 July 2023 and not be receiving the fee relief from another service.
All NSW families are eligible regardless of Citizenship or residency status. The Start Strong funding is additional to and will not affect families’ Child Care Subsidy (CCS) payments.
How will it work?
The fee relief payment is an annual flat rate of $2110 per eligible child. You can break this down to a weekly fee relief of $40.57 ($2110/52 weeks) which will be applied to your family’s account as a fortnightly credit.
How do I access the fee relief?
If you are wondering how to claim the Start Strong Affordable Preschool fee relief, contact our Family Relations Team to receive the fee relief declaration form. Families are required to complete a declaration form to nominate the long daycare centre they would like to receive fee relief from.
You can only receive this fee relief at one centre at a time. This is confirmed by the completion of the declaration form.
To find out more about the Start Strong Preschool program, head to our Start Strong Page.
If you have any questions or would like to tour one of our 15 centres please contact our family relations team today!
Healthy Christmas Cookies For Your Childcare
Come to the Kitchen with our Childcare Healthy Living Ambassador Libby Babet as she prepares some delicious Christmas Cookies that you can easily make for your whole family. These cookies only have 3 ingredients and are so healthy that you and your kids can enjoy them for breakfast or for a tasty treat at your childcare centre.
The three simple ingredients are:
- Bananas
- Oats
- Milk (or water)
Step 1: Mash your banana in a bowl with a fork. You can use either one large or 2 small bananas to make around 5 medium sized cookies.
Step 2: Add a cup of oats (quick oats are the best).
Step 3: Add a ¼ cup of milk or water and stir
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius fan forced
Step 5: While your oven is preheating, choose your cookie cutters and pop your mixture inside.
Step 6: Bake for 10 to 15 minutes and you have some delicious super healthy cookies to take to your daycare centre.
Make sure you try making these delicious cookies and don’t be afraid to add any extra ingredients like honey or cinnamon to enhance the flavour! Watch the full video on our Instagram by clicking here.
If you have any questions for our childcare healthy living ambassador or would like to enquire about our daycare vacancies for 2023, make sure you get in touch with our childcare enrolment team today.
Woollahra – $130 Fridays for Preschool
Need child care on a Friday at Active Kids Group Woollahra? Book your child in on a Friday at our Woollahra Child Care Centre for only $130. Limited childcare positions available.* Terms and conditions:- Effective from the 14th of February 2022
- Offer ends 31st December 2022
- Special rate applies to permanent positions on Fridays only in the Preschool room
- This offer must be mentioned at time of booking for redemption
- Does not apply to extra days or casual days
- Subject to availability
- Must enroll for a minimum of 2 days
- Special rate only applies when increasing days, does not apply when swapping days
- From 1st January 2023, the fee will be in line with the standard daily rate for that age group.
Rose Bay – $125 Fridays for Preschool
Need child care on a Friday at Active Kids Group Rose Bay?
Book your child in on a Friday at our Rose Bay Child Care Centre for only $125. Limited positions available.*
Terms and conditions:
- Effective from the 14th of February 2022
- Offer ends 31st December 2022
- Special rate applies to permanent positions on Fridays only in the Preschool room
- This offer must be mentioned at time of booking for redemption
- Does not apply to extra days or casual days
- Subject to availability
- Special rate only applies when increasing days, does not apply when swapping days
- From 1st January 2023, the fee will be in line with the standard daily rate for that age group.
Contact our family relations team to book your additional day of care now and make the most of this amazing childcare offer.
Phone: 02 8362 3000
Email: [email protected]
First Steps When Starting Child Care
Attending child care at Active Kids Group for the first time is an exciting experience. We want you and your child to feel settled at daycare right from the beginning, so here are some tips on creating a smooth transition for your little one!
- Pack all of their sleep essentials from home to take to the child care centre – Dummy, Blanket, Comforters etc
- Communicate with educators at the day care about your child’s normal meal and rest times
- Speak to your child about what will happen and be positive about their transition to child care
- Spend one on one time with your child after day care without distractions e.g. go to the park together
- Help your child reset from a long day of fun and early learning by bathing/showering them before dinner
- An early bed time can help curb overtiredness and prepare them for the next day at their Active Kids Child Care Centre in Sydney
Remember to check out all that is going on at your child’s Childcare Centre by visiting our Instagram page and following us.
If you have any more questions or would like more guidance on your child care journey please contact us today!
AKG Awards 2021
Earlier this month Active Kids Group celebrated the year and their achievements at their annual Christmas party. We were proud to award multiple child care educators who display AKG’s mission and values as educators. This year we also celebrated the highest amount of length of service awards for some special employees who have spent many years at our child care centres. Some notable award recipients that we would like to mention:
Above & Beyond Award – Suzie Braumann from AKG Moore Park Childcare
Our Most Valuable Performers – Grace Phillips from our Learn Grow Team
5 Years of Service – Natasha Makerry from AKG Ermington Childcare
5 Years of Service – Rhiannon Thomas from AKG Bondi Childcare
10 Years of Service – Kristine Pobi from AKG Narwee Childcare
10 Years of Service – Marisa Galati from our Management Team
20 Years of Service – Pauline Wooley from AKG Mascot Childcare
25 Years of Service – Jodie Giannetto from our Management Team
Outstanding Service Award – AKG Homebush Childcare
We got to end the year by celebrating with the wonderful men and women we talk to most everyday, but this year we haven’t had a chance to see many at our child care centres. We’d like to thank all the staff and coordinators at our day cares for all their hard work. It has been wonderful to see every work together and we are excited to welcome new faces to the Active Kids Group Family in the new year.
If you are interested in joining our Active Kids Group family and becoming a part of the team, make sure to contact us today!