Leaving a baby in childcare can be a very stressful time for parents. When the child isn’t old enough to communicate their needs, like and dislikes, it is often difficult for parents to imagine anyone else looking after their baby.

The educators at McGraths Hill Learning Centre have the skills and knowledge needed to provide a safe, nurturing environment for our babies and toddlers to learn and grow. The educators have the patience, understanding, empathy and caring nature needed to care and educate babies.

We value strong relationships between our babies and their teachers as feeling safe and secure is the foundation of children’s wellbeing. We foster a sense of belonging as they enhance their circle of security. We value the relationships we share with our families as this is the perfect opportunity to understand each baby on an individual and personal level.

The Owl Babies room have 2 separate cot rooms which are disinfected after each babies use with all the linen provided. We also have toddler beds for our babies who are 18 months – 2 years old. The toddler bed sheets are purchased as a one off purchase ensuring each toddler has their own set of sheets which is washed by the families and returned back weekly.

We are a breastfeeding friendly environment with a private space for mothers to breastfeed if desired.

All nappies, wipes, full cream milk and other alternative milks are provided. The items provided by the families during their babies’ time with us is;

• A bag packed with 2 sets of clothes that are clearly labelled.
• Dummy, comforter or sleep suit if these items are used at home.
• A dishwasher safe water bottle that remains at school and is washed daily after each use.
• Formula Powder and boiled water in labelled bottles or expressed breastmilk.

The Owl Babies room program is based on the babies individual learning goals, interest and most importantly developmentally appropriate.

The toddler room is always busy and on the move. The programme provides toddlers the chance to engage in developmentally age appropriate experiences and resources in a safe and secure environment.

Our educators in the toddler rooms are energetic, fun, caring, empathetic and most of all value the strong relationships they share with their toddlers and their families.

The toddler program is based on the children’s needs, interests, and abilities. The educators and the children’s families set goals that they’d like the children to meet and incorporate this into the program. We strongly believe children learn through plan as they explore and engage in their natural environment and the world around them. As the centre is based on 5 acres the children engage in real life experiences such as gardening, feeding the chickens and collecting the laid eggs, going on community walks to feed and visit the local horses and much more.

Our toddlers room focuses on enhancing the children’s social skills, self-help skills, independence and allowing them to learn social competence.

All nappies, wipes, full cream milk and other alternative milks are provided. The items provided by the families during their toddler’s time with us is;

• A bag packed with 2 sets of clothes that are clearly labelled.
• Dummy, comforter or sleep suit if these items are used at home.
• A dishwasher safe water bottle that remains at school and is washed daily after each use.

The toddlers sleep on stretcher beds which are very low to the floor. On the children’s first day with us families purchase a hat and bed sheets ensuring each child has their own set which is used at their time at the centre.

The Terrific Turtles room is a fun and exciting room. The children are exposed to many experiences and projects that foster safe and secure relationships as this is the age where friendships start to blossom. The program in this room is based on the children’s individual needs, interests and abilities. The educators and families set goals for the children to work towards. This room focuses on a lot of project work which allows the children and educators to learn deeply about topics that interest them. The educators focus on encouraging the children to work collaboratively with their peers as they enhance their social skills. In the Terrific Turtles room the children are encouraged to use their problem-solving skills, social skills and are encouraged to be independent as they continue to enhance their self-help skills.

The children spend a lot of time in their natural outdoor environment as they connect with the world around them. As the centre is based on 5 acres the children engage in real life experiences such as gardening, feeding the chickens and collecting the laid eggs, going on community walks to feed and visit the local horses and much more.

All nappies & wipes are provided for the children who are wearing nappies in this room. However, together with the families, the educators support the children’s toileting in this room.

Full cream milk and other alternative milks are provided.

The items provided by the families during their child’s time with us are:

• A bag packed with 2 sets of clothes that are clearly labelled.
• A comforter if this is used at home.
• A dishwasher safe water bottle that remains at school and is washed daily after each use.

The children sleep on stretcher beds which are very low to the floor. On the children’s first day with us families purchase a hat and bed sheets ensuring each child has their own set which is used at their time at the centre.

Our Rainbow Fish room offers a School Readiness Program that supports the children as they prepare to enter Kindergarten. Our program focuses on providing the children with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to transition to school in a fun, educational, and interactive environment.

Our centre philosophy and our Early Childhood curriculum is centred around learning through play, with this in mind all learning experiences are delivered with a meaningful and hands on approach. Our educators make intentional decisions daily to nurture the development of life skills and to ensure that the program complements children’s experiences, opportunities, and relationships at school. Educators plan with intentionality to provide a program that encourages dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, creativity, persistence, and imagination. Pre-reading, writing, phonics, numeracy & motor skills are features of our learning program.

The School Readiness program is delivered by a university qualified Early Childhood Teacher who understands the developmental needs of preschool children.

We value real life experiences allowing the children to connect with the world around them. The goals of this room is to enhance the children’s emerging literacy & numeracy knowledge, fundamental life skills, social skills and being independent and confident learners.

We know that developing strong connections with their peers and educators is integral to children’s wellbeing, self-confidence and to feel a sense of belonging whilst attending preschool. Here at McGraths Hill Learning Centre, we aim to foster these relationships to ensure children feel safe, secure, and supported to grow in confidence to explore and learn.

Educators work collaboratively with families to set learning goals for the children which compliment our learning program. Educators undertake comprehensive assessments of the children’s learning and development which is provided to families throughout the year. Opportunities for families to meet with their child’s educators are provided to discuss development and progress.

We value that Early Childhood is the time to create memories which is why we provide many opportunities for the children to connect with the world around them. We recognise that learning is not confined to the classroom, with this in mind we venture out on many community walks as we explore our local community and our natural environment. We value the moments of playing in the rain, jumping in puddles and climbing trees as this is where a lot of memories are made.

The items provided by families;

• A bag packed with 2 sets of clothes that are clearly labelled.
• A dishwasher safe water bottle that remains at school and is washed daily after each use.
• Labelled Raincoat & Gumboots