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.
Preschooler Friendly Leftover Easter Eggs Recipe!
Our Childcare Healthy living Ambassador, Libby Babet, loves coming up with healthy recipes for your little learners. Do you have an abundance of Easter Eggs leftover like her? Well, use up your leftover Easter eggs by making this healthy, low sugar, high fibre Brown-ana bread, packed with energy boosting B-Vitamins! With a nut-free option available, this is the perfect snack for your child to have after a long day at their early learning centre.
Step one is to blend, or process these ingredients together:
2 bananas
1 can red kidney beans
Half a cup maple syrup
Half a cup raw cacao
Step two, add the rest of these ingredients and blend again:
Half a cup of flour (any variety)
Half a cup slivered almonds (optional)
Half a cup desiccated coconut
Now grate or break up your leftover Easter eggs and sprinkle on top for sweetness (optional to also sprinkle extra coconut & almonds). Get your preschooler involved in the cooking process by allowing them to pour in the ingredients or sprinkle the chocolate.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, allow to cool and serve to your little people!
Make sure you try making these delicious cookies and don’t be afraid to add any extra ingredients 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.
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.
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!
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!
End of Year Celebrations at Thumbelina Child Care
Thumbelina is a child care centre in Edgecliff that has been educating children under Active Kids Group since 2010. Thumbelina has a strong community connection and ensures all families and their children feel safe and secure and have a sense of belonging throughout their Early Childhood journey.
This day care is divided over 3 levels and the children have designated areas for both indoor and outdoor play. We believe that incursions, excursions and extra-curricular activities are an integral part of educating the children and developing each child’s broader understanding of the world around them.
Our AKG learner’s at Thumbelina child care centre celebrated the end of this year with their fellow learners, educators and families. They had a picnic spread, face painting and an exciting visit from Santa!
Gianny, our service coordinator at Thumbelina had this to say: The children and their families are often with us for many years as two or more siblings will attend the day care centre. This means the parents are well known by all the staff and feel like a part of the Thumbelina Family, which makes these end of year celebrations even more important for our families.
You can check out the end of year celebrations at our Thumbelina Child Care Centre by visiting our Facebook Post.
To join our Active Kids Group family, book a tour at our Thumbelina child care centre in Edgecliff or contact us today!
Discover Our Nursery
Starting a lifelong journey of learning and discovery.
At Active Kids Group, each child care nursery in Sydney has been thoughtfully put together to provide children aged 0-2 years with a safe, encouraging space to play and be cared for.
Each day care centre works closely with families to ensure each child feels our Nursery rooms are an extension of home, supported by familiar routines and acknowledging independent needs for development.
Children are born with a natural desire to learn, starting from the earliest age, and our experienced Educators understand what that learning looks like every step of the way. Our child care nursery rooms in Sydney are designed to inspire curiosity, with a wide range of open-ended learning materials that invite children to play and explore.
The first two years of life is a time of rapid growth, where babies depend on their caregivers to provide their physical, social and emotional needs. For over 25 years, Active Kids Group has provided the highest level of care and education, with a strong focus on connecting, nurturing and encouraging little learners to feel confident to learn and grow.
Flexible Routine Schedules
We understand every child has a different routine at home. With this in mind we work with families closely to ensure that routines from home are followed as closely as possible with our flexible routine approach. This includes sleep time and making sure no new foods are introduced to them before they are introduced at home.
Tummy Time
Our caring educators provide a safe and adaptive environment for babies to explore while they learn and develop through their early years of life.
We encourage Tummy Time through Baby Yoga in our indoor and outdoor environments that encourages healthy behaviours and movement.
Safe Sleep Environments
Providing your child a comfortable and safe sleep area in our comfortable nursery rooms means a better chance your little one will drift off to a beneficial and much needed sleep so they can continue their day learning in our nurturing environments.
We have secure and safe cots for your baby to sleep in that are monitored by our experienced and caring educators.
Lasting Learning Experiences
Everyday is an opportunity to learn, grow and experience what the world has to offer. Creating lasting learning experiences is a very important building block in a child’s grown in the early stages of life.
Our Educators work with your little one through stimulating and interactive play, songs, story time and lots of cuddles to build these lasting experiences which will help your child learn and grow.
Nursery Room Inclusions
All the things your little one needs are provided in our nursery rooms. This includes healthy and nutritional meals which can be pureed until they start to eat solid foods, healthy snacks for each day along with formula, nappies and baby wipes.
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Healthy Nutritious Meals
From formula to thoughtfully prepared meals, our on-site chefs ensure the nutritional requirements are met for your little one while keeping your families routines and habits around food in place. We offer all of our meals in puree form for those children who are not yet ready for solid foods.
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Learning Through Play
In the early stages of life your little one learns from what is happening around them. We help a child grow through interactive songs, play that focuses on sound and colour and activity that stimulates your child’s senses. We also encourage group play with other babies within the room, with this it helps grow their interactions with others and creates a positive behaviour.
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Family Involvement
Family involvement and collaboration is something we are very passionate about as it is vital in a child’s early development. We invite each family to an orientation to meet the educators that will be taking care of your little one and talk about how we can work with you to make their time with us as beneficial as possible.
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Safe Environments
Keeping your child safe is our top priority so we ensure this by having safe practices in place which includes security gates, child safety gates and locks along with secure play areas. We also monitor or have an educator in the room with your child so we can further ensure that their safety is as required.
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Early Years Learning Framework
Children’s learning is ongoing and each child progresses differently. This is why all our educators follow the ELYF to make sure your little one is progressing throughout their stages of life. We will work with you and monitor any new developments in your child’s developments.
Come and VISIT Our Centres
We are thrilled to invite you to come and visit any of our 15 locations across
Sydney and see what centre suits you and your child best.
Preschool Program
About the Active Kids Group Preschool Program
The magic of learning starts at the earliest age, with children gaining an understanding of the world around them through exploring, observing and importantly playing.
At our child care services, we nurture this with encouragement, support and opportunity to help prepare children for their schooling years each step of the way.
Please read more about our Preschool Program in Sydney in our interactive flipbook.
Come and VISIT Our Centres
We are thrilled to invite you to come and visit any of our 15 locations across
Sydney and see what centre suits you and your child best.
E-Learning
Active Kids Group e-learning resources : Week 1
Welcome to our first edition of e-Learning! Active Kids Group aims to inspire children with a life long passion for learning. It is our ambition to continue to deliver on this through a weekly e-book providing educational activities, routines, recipes and more!
In this edition, we discover activities for 1-2yr olds, we show you how to trace shadows, treasure hunt, shape hunt and include play tips and routines for “My home-schooling” toolkit. We’ll also share meal time and schedule and introducing finger foods.
Active Kids Group e-learning resources : Week 2
Active Kids Group prides itself on being flexible, innovative and always willing to assist. We hope you find this resource useful and engaging for your little learners, and encourage families to share ideas they might want included for other families as well.
This week we discover activities like paper roll printing, rainbow rice and an aquarium sensory bottle. We show you the benefits of messy play and include delicious recipes for a fritatta.
Active Kids Group e-learning resources: Week 3
Active Kids Group will be working with Educators, Parents and our Learn and Grow team to provide families with educational resources that can be easily implemented at home to encourage a continuity of learning and fun!
We will show you a way for children to explore and play using their imaginations with sensory table ideas, using coloured ice cubes, a writing tray as well as give you tips on rest and sleep. We also provide information on learning about taste and some great lunchbox ideas.
Active Kids Group e-learning resources: Week 4
Our educators collaborate to develop a curriculum which reflects the needs, interests, strengths and knowledge of all children, and we would like to extend this to all our families who are spending more time at home.
This week we have craft ideas for preschoolers and toddlers. They will love having the interactive experience of using cut and paste to make a fun activity!
Come and VISIT Our Centres
We are thrilled to invite you to come and visit any of our 15 locations across
Sydney and see what centre suits you and your child best.