Play dough has been a staple in an early childhood setting for decades and there is a good reason why! Play dough is a great tactile resource, holding a number of benefits including encouraging creativity in Kindergarten, boosting fine motor skills in Junior Kindy, and discovering new senses with Toddlers.

As an incredibly loved resource for both children and Educators, play dough is often used for free play time and scheduled learning activities. During this blog, we will be sharing the many ways we find joy in using play dough across our Grow Early Education centres and share some insight on how you can replicate our play dough recipe and learnings in a home setting.

How to make your own home-made playdough!

What is needed:

Measuring cup

Mixing spoon

Tbsp

Mixing bowl

1/2 cup table salt

1 tbsp of oil

Food colouring

1 cup of flour

2 Tbsp cream of tartar

1 cup of water

Instructions:

• Combine flour, salt, and cream of tartar together in a bowl.
• Mix well with mixing spoon.
• Add in the oil and mix together.
• Add food colouring and water together in a separate bowl.
• Once the colour has spread in the water then add the now coloured water into the other bowl combining all ingredients together.
• Mix all ingredients together with a mixing spoon.
• Once the mixture becomes firm use hands to mix and finish blending together - this will enable it to become more of a dough texture.
• Place on the table for the children to use.

Using this recipe as your play dough base, you can get creative and add your own variations to build on the sensory elements. Try adding a few drops of essential oils to discover new smells or add herbs to further develop the sensory aspect of texture and touch.

Across our Grow Early Education centres, there are a number of ways that our Educators incorporate play dough into our educational programs.

1. Pattern Reognition

The Kindergarten children at our Grow Early Education Darling Heights centre used play dough as the base to their pattern making as a part of their introduction to pattern recognition. Pattern recognition in early childhood education refers to the ability young children have in identifying, understanding, and predicting sequences in their environment. It is a fundamental skill that lays the ground work for more complex problem-solving and mathematical solutions.

By adding the element of play dough and beads to this task, they are working on their fine motor skills, pincer grip skills, and hand-eye coordination.

2. Indigenous Culture

The Toddler children at our Grow Early Education Riverton centre learnt about the temporary shelters traditionally used by Australian Indigenous Peoples as a part of the Toddlers introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

This by utilising play dough in this activity, it allowed the children to learn in a more hands-on way, while also encouraging further development of their comprehension, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills

4. Educational Programming

Grow Early Education Bundaberg used play dough to create blue birds nests as a part of their discussions on the Bowerbird Blues book that was this year's pick for National Simultaneous Storytime.

This activity allowed the children to discuss certain parts of the book they enjoyed with their peers, while also talking about what they know about birds and their nests.

By making your own play dough, you provide a wonderful sensory experience for children and also create lasting memories through shared activities. We hope this guide inspires you to experiment with different textures and colours, and most importantly, to have fun. Stay tuned for more exciting tips and ideas to enhance your playtime adventures.

Find your own printable version of our home-made play dough here!

We would love to see your at home play dough creations, tag us in your creativity on Instagram @grow_early_education or on Facebook @growearlyeducation

 

The 2024 theme for International Yoga Day is “Yoga for Self and Society.” Providing a holistic approach to health and well-being, yoga has been proven to assist in restoring balance in our busy lives.

International Yoga Day was officially adopted by the United Nations in December 2014 after the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, gave a speech proposing that the day fall on June 21^st to align with the Northern Hemispheres summer solstice – the longest day of the year.

While yoga has been known in the past for bringing improved posture, flexibility, and balance to adults, it has grown increasingly popular for children over recent years with benefits proven to encourage physical health, build on emotional regulation, improve concentration, boost confidence, and increase social skills.

 

 

Unsurprisingly, children’s yoga is very different to any kind of yoga session you would attend as an adult. Most children’s yoga sessions incorporate games, storytelling, and singing to assist with their shorter attention span. Children’s yoga sessions often are a mix of practicing yoga poses suitable for younger children and song and dance.

At Grow Early Education, we believe so strongly in the benefits we have seen through children’s yoga that we have yoga as a weekly extracurricular at 15 of our centres located across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria – and it is included in our daily fee.

Grow Early Education Tarneit have weekly sessions run by Yoga Bears where they start their week on a Monday with a yoga class ending in guided meditation. Guided meditation reduces stress, improves sleep, encourages resilience, and boosts emotional regulation.

At Grow Early Education Gunnedah, instructor Dee walks the children through their weekly session, working on their emotional and physical skills. By practising yoga regularly, we are promoting flexibility, coordination, strength, and posture.

Grow Early Education Maroochydore involves sound healing in their weekly children’s yoga sessions with Yoga Bears. Sound healing in combination with yoga promotes a sense of wellbeing in the children while further developing body awareness and mindfulness practices.

At Grow Early Education Dalby the children enjoy moving their bodies with Miss Linda, while they practice their mindfulness, strength, balance, and coordination.

Are you looking for ways to celebrate International Yoga Day with your family? Why not try out some of these common yoga poses and test your skills!

We are proud to provide children’s yoga as an extra-curricular included in our daily fee at the following centres:

• Grow Early Education Bridgeman Downs
• Grow Early Education Tarneit
• Grow Early Education Narre Warren
• Grow Early Education Toowoomba
• Grow Early Education Riverton
• Grow Early Education Bundaberg North
• Grow Early Education Darling Heights
• Grow Early Education Gunnedah
• Grow Early Education Dalby
• Grow Early Education Maroochydore
• Grow Early Education Nowra Central
• Grow Early Education Frankston
• Grow Early Education Bushland Beach
• Grow Early Education, Park Ridge
• Grow Early Education Hervey Bay

By incorporating yoga into our weekly routine, we are providing children with invaluable tools to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience and guiding them towards a healthier, happier, and more balanced future. Namaste!

If you are interested in finding out more about our children’s yoga program and other extra-curriculars we offer as part of our early education program, please phone us on 1300 934 769.

 

 

Congratulations to our Educators who have been recognised for their dedication, commitment and skill in early childhood education, by being finalists in this year’s 'Fraser Coast’s Favourite Childcare Educator' Awards run by the Courier Mail.

An impressive five Educators from Grow Early Education Hervey Bay have been honoured in this year’s awards by being nominated.  Congratulations to those Educators for this amazing achievement!

Let’s get to know our award finalists a little better…

Mikayla Matheson

Mikayla is our Nursery Classroom Lead Educator at Grow Early Education Hervey Bay and strongly believes in the saying 'If it doesn’t feel like work, it's what your meant to do'.

"I know what I’m meant to be doing, because I have the best job in the world. Watching little children grow into the amazing humans they are is truly special. I have built so many relationships and memories over my years in the industry and can’t wait for many more to come", said Mikayla.  She has been in the industry for five years and has successfully achieved her Diploma of Early Childhood Education.

Gorgia Green

In our Tiny Tots Classroom we have Gorgia Green who is our Assistant Educator. Gorgia's favourite part about her job is watching the children grow and develop, while being part of their journey. She also enjoys building strong and positive relationships with each and every child and their families. Gorgia has her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and has been in the industry for three years.

Pamela Fidge

Our next award finalist is the Lead Educator in our Toddlers Classroom and has achieved her Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Pamela has been in the industry for 25 years and loves coming to work and providing children with the love and care they deserve.

"It is very heartwarming to be able to care for all the children and nurture their needs, while they develop their own independence and resilience," say Pamela.

Jaimie Ruse

Jaime has been in the industry for eleven years and is the Lead Educator in our Pre-Kindy Classroom at Grow Early Education Hervey Bay. Jaimie's favourite part of the job is watching the children's eyes light up when they learn about something they love, or the moment they master something new. Jaimie is has successfully achieved her Diploma of Early Childhood Education.

Brodie Murray

Brodie is also in the Pre-Kindy Classroom and is the Assistant Educator. Brodie has been in the industry for six years. She is a Certificate III qualified Educator and what she loves most about her role is the relationship she gets to build with the children and their families.  She also loves seeing them grow into their own little person as she supports them in their development.

At Grow Early Education Hervey Bay, our caring and passionate Educators are the heart of our childcare centre. Our Educators are dedicated to each child’s individual learning journey, and promote a sense of belonging to ensure that every child feels welcome and safe whilst in our care.

While most people don’t remember much from when we were little, most of us can remember that special Educator who helped us feel safe, protected, loved and of course helped us develop a lifelong love of learning.

This is why we believe this amazing achievement should be recognised and celebrated by the entire Fraser Coast community.  We are also calling for you to vote and support your favourite Educator from Grow Early Education Hervey Bay from the list of finalists.

You will need to be quick as voting closes at midnight tomorrow night (Wednesday 5^th June, 2024). To vote, CLICK HERE and follow the instructions.

Disclaimer: In order to vote, you are required to have a Courier Mail subscription.

Entering the world of early childhood education can be both an exciting and daunting experience for young children and their families. Most importantly though, it marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and socialising with peers.

As early education providers, we play a crucial role in ensuring that this transition is as smooth as possible, providing a supportive environment for both children and their parents.

All our long day care centres offer families additional support during their initial weeks of enrolment. Even our brand-new centres like Grow Early Education Heathmont, will implement processes like gradual entry programs which allow children to acclimate to the new environment at their own pace. This approach helps build a sense of trust between the child and the caregivers, promoting a smoother transition.

In this blog, we will explore the ways in which our Grow Early Education centres assist new children and families settle into care; transition to new classrooms; and graduate to a formal school environment.

 

Supporting New Families

First and foremost, it is important to create a welcoming atmosphere for both children and parents so that they feel comfortable right from the get go.  We encourage parents to bring their children with them when they take an initial tour of one of our centres to see if the centre is the right fit for their family.

At Grow Early Education Gunnedah, they schedule tours at times when the whole centre can be on display to families. This ensures the families can meet the entire team and view all their wonderful facilities.

‘We love to introduce the children and parents to their potential new Educators on a tour of our centre.  This assists new families with making the important decision of which childcare centre best suits them and is an important part of the orientation process at Grow’ says Grow Early Education Gunnedah Centre Director, Brianna McCumstie.

‘One of the things parents love most about our centre is our large outdoor areas.  Not only do we have lots of room for children to explore outside, but our facilities are also state-of-the-art. We have creek beds, sandpits, adventure forts, bike tracks, vegetable gardens, jumbo games and more. We like to do our centre tours when the children are actively playing in these spaces as it helps potential new families better visualise their own children utilising these facilities’, continued Brianna.

As part of our enrolment process at Grow Early Education, we book ‘Meet & Greets’ for our new families. These ‘Meet & Greets’ are also known as ‘Stay & Plays’ and this initial connection meeting is a great way to help build trust and establishes a positive foundation for the child’s experience.

Families are invited to attend 1-3 ‘Meet & Greets’ at our centres prior to their first official day of care, however they can have as many as they need to start building that important bond between Educator and child. It is important for children to feel safe and somewhat familiar in their new environment on day one of care.

Our aim at Grow Early Education is for our long day care centres to be a home away from home for the children in our care, because children thrive in environments that feel safe and familiar. Our purpose-built childcare centres are carefully designed to be child-friendly, inspiring and filled with age-appropriate educational resources. Creating an environment that mirrors the comforts of home helps children feel at ease and more willing to explore their new surroundings.

As part of our enrolment process, we also ask new parents to fill out an ‘All About Me’ form on behalf of their children.  This provides important information like how to best comfort them, what they enjoy playing, their interests etc. so that our Educators can provide build a bond as quickly as possible and provide the highest quality of care.

To best support parents, effective communication between our childcare centres and parents is essential. Regular updates, whether through daily reports or informal conversations, keep parents informed about their child's experiences, milestones, and any concerns. This transparent communication helps parents feel involved in their child's daily life at the centre, easing any anxieties they may have.

At Grow Early Education we provide families with a parent communication mobile app called Kindyhub. The app allows you to share in your child’s learning journey, including providing daily photos, stories and achievements and is a valuable tool for us to support parents.

Transitioning to a New Classroom

This is the key time of year when children begin transitioning to their new classrooms.  Children who have completed the Kindergarten or Preschool Program will be starting primary school in January or February and so many children will move up to their new classroom as space becomes available.

At Grow Early Education Gunnedah, they have children ‘visit’ their new classroom multiple times over a two-week period so that can become familiar with their new classroom, Educators and routine.

Knowing what to expect provides a sense of security for children, helping them settle into the new environment more comfortably. This predictability fosters a sense of stability, which is crucial for early childhood development.

‘We have found that classroom visits in small groups are a great way to support a smooth transition into new classrooms.  They can become familiar with the environment and Educators and know what to expect when it comes time to officially changing rooms,’ said Brianna, Centre Director for Grow Early Education Gunnedah.

‘We find that most children are excited to be in their new classroom when they know what to expect.  A classroom change is a positive experience as it provides new inspiration, stimulation, interactions and new resources to play with,’ continues Brianna. 

Preparing for Formal School

Knowing what to expect in the school environment helps children to make a smooth transition, and preparing children for this needs to begin long before their first day of school.

Our school readiness programs (Kindergarten or Preschool depending on which state you live in), equips children with the skills needed to transition to a formal school environment. However, at Grow Early Education our aim is to also ensure they are well prepared for their onward learning journey into a formalised school setting.

As part of our programs, Teachers will coordinate several visits to local schools across the year to support the children’s transition to school process. At Grow Early Education Gunnedah, in addition to organising visits to their local primary school, Gunnedah South Public School, they are also looking to introduce ‘Lunch Box Days’!

‘We know the importance of incorporating activities to support the transition to school in everyday play-based learning opportunities, such as encouraging children’s participation in group games and experiences, and having regular ‘lunch box’ days so children can practice opening and eating their own lunch,’ said Brianna.

At all our Grow Early Education centres, a formal discussion towards the end of the year is scheduled to share information with parents and Teachers and support each child’s transition to school. This discussion provides an opportunity for parents and other partners to collaboratively create a summary of a child’s learning in the form of a transition statement.

Celebrating with a Graduation Ceremony at the end of the year is also an important part of supporting children to transition to school at Grow Early Education. A graduation event can help ease the transition to big school, by showing children that it is exciting that they are moving on and there are more thrilling things to come. Above all, it allows children to feel proud for all they have achieved while they have been at Preschool or Kindergarten.

Our childcare centres play a pivotal role in helping families settle into care by creating welcoming environments, establishing consistent routines, providing relationship building opportunities, maintaining open communication, and offering transition support. Through these thoughtful practices at Grow Early Education, we contribute to the positive development and well-being of the children in our care and inspire a foundation for future learning and growth.

Are you looking to start your child in care this year?  We are still accepting enrolments for 2024, so book a tour at your closest Grow Early Education centre and start your transition journey today!  Call 1300 934 769 to book.

As we bid farewell to 2023, it's time to take a moment and reflect on the journey we've collectively experienced over the past 12 months.

From opening eight new Grow Early Education centres, to triumphs in professional development for our team members, this year has been progressive with lots of lessons and growth.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Grow families for choosing us for your child’s care and allowing us to celebrate educational and development milestones with your family throughout the year.

Join us now for the highlights and milestones that made this year truly progressive for our Grow family.

Our Growth

As we continue to support families across Australia, we are proud to say we opened eight new long day care centres this year and expanded our footprint in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

We take enormous pride in delivering communities with a personalised approach to childcare through our local Early Childhood Teams, establishing community connections and empowering our centre management teams to raise the bar in early education.

Our new childcare centres and the local communities we are now part of include:

1. Grow Early Education Riverton
2. Grow Early Education Hervey Bay
3. Grow Early Education Maroochydore
4. Grow Early Education Dalby
5. Grow Early Education Frankston
6. Grow Early Education Bushland Beach
7. Grow Early Education Heathmont
8. Grow Early Education Nowra Central

We are also pleased to reveal that Grow Early Education Park Ridge will be opening early 2024!

Our Team

Passionate and caring, our Educators are the heart and soul of our childcare centres. They are dedicated to supporting every child on their individual learning journey, and ensuring their time in our care is a rewarding one.

In 2023, we employed 346 passionate early childhood professionals to nurture, educate and support the children in their care.

To ensure our Educators keep abreast with current developments and research in the area of early childhood education, Grow Early Education runs ongoing training and professional development programs across the year.

In 2023, we ran a robust training program which saw an incredible 351 courses delivered so our Educators have the most up-to-date knowledge and certifications.

Our Service

 For the convenience and peace of mind of parents, we operate all-inclusive fee childcare centres. This means we have thought of everything children will need to thrive at our centres and included it in our daily fee, including nappies, wipes, sunscreen, meals and more!

In 2023, we supplied the following as part of our service offering:

• 378,573 Nappies
• 956,616 Baby Wipes
• 320 L of sunscreen (we take sun safety VERY seriously)
• 1,320 Hats and drink bottles were provided to families as part of our free enrolment packs
• 2,106,225 healthy and nutritious meals, all prepared by our Centre Chefs in our onsite kitchens

Another one of the amazing benefits we provide as part of our daily fee are extracurricular activities. In 2023, we organised 1,040 extra-curricular classes, with popular activities at our centres being multi-sport classes, music and movement, Japanese lessons, children’s yoga, cooking and gardening lessons.

Whilst we’re here to nurture the children in our care, our free barista coffee was there to care for our parents! Drumroll please… in 2023 we made over 38,254 barista coffees for our Grow parents to enjoy!

Our Families

We view parents and families as invaluable collaborators in a child’s educational journey. Open, transparent, and collaborative communication is fundamental to creating a supportive and enriching experience for every child.

A strong partnership establishes a crucial bridge between home and early education, fosters holistic development and also contributes to a child's sense of belonging and security.  In 2023 we were fortunate to partner with 1,356 amazing families and inspire 1,665 little ones to learn and grow!

Again, we would like to thank our Grow families for entrusting us with your child’s education and care. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season and we look forward to sharing this wonderful learning journey again with you all in 2024.

 

 

As the festive season gets into full swing, what better way to embrace the holiday spirit than by engaging in delightful Christmas crafts with your children?

Crafting is not just a fun way to spend quality time with your little ones; it's also a crucial component of a child's development and comes with a myriad of benefits.

At Grow Early Education, we recognise its role in nurturing various skills in children. So throughout the year, arts and crafts is a significant component of our educational programs at our long day care centres.

Why are arts and crafts beneficial for children? Engaging in craft activities fosters communication, attentiveness, imagination, and crucial developmental skills!

Here's a short outline of the skills children can grow through doing arts and crafts:

Fine Motor Skills:

• Enhancing hand-eye coordination
• Developing manual dexterity

Identification of Shapes, Colours, and Texture:

• Exploring materials to comprehend colours, shapes, and textures
• Learning about the workings of things and how they interconnect

Creativity:

• Fostering a playful and experimental spirit in an enjoyable and laid-back setting

 

In this blog, we've curated our top five favourite and most popular Christmas craft ideas for you to enjoy at home with your children:

1. Paper Plate Baubles

This versatile craft allows you to use a variety of materials to decorate and hang paper plates, creating your own unique Christmas baubles. Whether it's stickers, paint, or coloured felt, choose materials that suit your child's age and development.

Here are some finished creations to give you and your little one some visual inspiration:

2. Popsicle Stick Ornaments

Transform ordinary popsicle sticks into festive ornaments, ranging from stars to Christmas trees and snowflakes. The possibilities for shapes and decorating ideas are infinite.

See below for different shape constructions and decorating ideas:

3. Hand Print Christmas Tree

Combining sensory play with craft, the handprint Christmas tree design is simple yet effective. After creating the tree on paper, canvas, or even a Christmas card, once it is dry it is then time to decorate your tree.

Here are some different designs you can make using your hand print:

4. Christmas Cookie Decorating

Perfect for baking enthusiasts, you can also involve your children in the baking part to extend their culinary skills. Use Christmas-themed cookie cutters or a cherished family recipe to start a lovely Christmas family tradition.

See below for some cookie decorating ideas and even how to create a Christmas cookie decorating board:

5. Pine Cone Ornaments

Incorporate natural materials into your arts and crafts by turning pine cones into mini-Christmas trees or creating unique figures like reindeers, angels, or owls. The natural texture of pine cones adds a unique element for children to discover and explore.

Here’s some amazing pine cone creations for you to see:

As Christmas Day fast approaches, our aim is to populate this month with festive experiences and activities for the children to enjoy in our childcare centres.

Follow us on Facebook for regular updates on our Christmas arts and craft activities, and get ready to be inspired by the wonderful Christmas creations from our Grow Early Education centres.

The holiday season, particularly Christmas, holds a special place in our hearts. It's a time for reflection, gratitude, and it’s also a chance to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate.

This sentiment is widely shared among Australians, as evidenced by the significant number of people planning to contribute to charitable causes this Christmas (47%). This makes the holiday season an optimal period for our childcare centres to perform philanthropic activities and community support work.

Since 2014, our Grow Early Education Centres have actively participated in the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal, or selected local charities to support. This annual tradition serves as a valuable connection to our local communities, fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility.

In November of this year, we launched the Grow Early Education 'Annual Christmas Food and Toy Drive.' This initiative involved selecting charities, creating donation hampers, and gearing up for the generous contributions of books, toys, and non-perishable food items.

While supporting the Salvation Army and their Christmas Appeal remains a priority, some Grow Early Education centres have chosen to back other not-for-profits, such as Angel Paws, Ronald McDonald House, Give a Little Hope, Defenders for Hope, and Act for Kids to name a few.

With our childcare centres spread across Australia in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, each hosting their own Christmas Appeal, the collective efforts of the Grow Early Education childcare centres can make a significant and positive difference.

Moreover, our Annual Christmas Food and Toy Drive demonstrates our commitment to making a positive impact locally and instilling a sense of community contribution in children. It serves as a crucial opportunity to initiate and expand conversations about generosity and gratitude with the children in our childcare centres.

At Grow Early Education, we firmly believe that it's never too early to instil the value of giving back in little ones. Nurturing generosity and teaching children about the significance of charity from an early age empowers them to have a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

For parents wondering how to introduce charity to their children, simple actions like dropping money into charity boxes, involving them in selecting canned foods for a drive, or taking them to fundraising events can be impactful. Plus, these moments offer an opportunity to discuss the importance of giving and the joy it brings.

If you're interested in joining your local Grow Early Education centre's Christmas Appeal, there's still time to get involved. You will need to be quick though, as donations and hampers are set to be collected by December 12th from all centres!

From the 13th to the 19th of November this year, National Recycling Week took centre stage at our Grow Early Education centres.

As is customary every year, our long day care centres actively participated in this event and utilised it as an important tool for educating the children in our care about reducing waste.

Initiated by Planet Ark in 1996, National Recycling Week stands as one of Planet Ark's flagship campaigns. Its annual mission is to educate and empower individuals to make environmentally responsible choices, especially when faced with the decision of what goes into the bin.

National Recycling Week strives to encourage Australians to contribute to making our country a greener and more sustainable one. Each year, this week serves as a reminder to all Australians that "waste isn't waste until it's wasted."

Our Educators at Grow Early Education focus on helping children develop genuine connections and contributions to caring for our natural world, through their Sustainability Programs. The recycling stations, worm farms and composting bins at our Grow Early Education Centres, also assist children to learn through practical application.

By educating children in our care about recycling, up cycling, use of sustainable materials, and water and energy conservation, this all assists with developing a deep appreciation for our natural world.

“Sustainability empowers children to construct knowledge, explore values and develop an appreciation of the environment and its relationship to their worlds.”

In this blog post, we are thrilled to share some of the fun educational activities our centres engaged in during National Recycling Week 2023!

Grow Early Education Dalby
In addition to their amazing recycling station set up in the foyer of Grow Early Education Dalby, the children in the Toddlers Classroom used recycled materials to create some amazing artwork!  Combining paint with used boxes, the children used a combination of items as paint brushes to create their group masterpiece… including wooden pegs!

 

Grow Early Education Hervey Bay
At Grow Early Education Hervey Bay, their Sustainability Station is filled to the brim with recycled and used items donated by families for the children to play and learn with. Egg cartons, glass jars, cardboard boxes, plastic containers and bottle lids in every colour of the rainbow! Grow Early Education Hervey Bay has a strong focus on sustainability in their programming as they support the children to understand the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling.

 

Grow Early Education Kelso
At Grow Early Education Kelso, the Toddler Classroom expanded on their interest of trains by using train wheels and paint to express themselves creatively.  A plastic tray from their Recycling Station was used to hold the paint they were using, which is a clever way to reduce and reuse.  Grow Early Education Kelso are always looking at ways to be sustainability conscious and share this value with the children in their care… including holding a Weekend Treasure Hunt as part of their Sustainability Program!

The aim of the Weekend Treasure Hunt was to encourage more donations of used and recycled items from their families.  On the Friday, families were asked to take a Woolworths paper bag from the centre home with them and over the weekend, place all the treasure hunt list items in it, before returning it full on the Monday!

 

Grow Early Education Tarneit
During National Recycling Week, the Kindergarten Classroom at Grow Early Education Tarneit explored recycling through a new learning area set up within their classroom. As a learning extension to this, they took all the collected recycled items with them to the local container deposit station.

 

Through all these fun and creative activities, the children explored the concept of reduce, reuse, recycle!

Do you have a recycling system in your home? Or perhaps you would like to find out how you could be doing more? For more recycling tips and tricks, visit www.recyclingnearyou.com.au/nationalrecyclingweek/

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, early childhood Educators are tasked with shaping the minds of the future generation.

This responsibility goes far beyond imparting knowledge; it involves fostering critical thinking, empathy, and adaptability. One powerful tool that aids in this process is critical reflection.

At Grow Early Education, we believe that it is vital for all staff to continuously and critically reflect on our practices and our curriculum to benefit the children’s interests and needs. The voice of the child and the voice of the parent are main components that influence our critical reflections and promotes ongoing learning.

In this blog, we will explore the significance of critical reflection in early education and understand why at Grow Early Education, we believe it is indispensable in nurturing young minds for a brighter future.

Promoting Deep Learning

Critical reflection encourages deep learning by prompting Educators to delve into the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of their teaching methods. By questioning their approaches, Educators can identify what works best for the children and adapt their strategies accordingly.

This reflective practice goes beyond the surface, allowing Educators to understand the underlying principles of early education and tailor their methods to meet the diverse needs of the children in their care.

Enhancing Self-Awareness

Critical reflection enhances self-awareness among Educators. It encourages them to examine their beliefs, biases, and values, which can significantly impact their teaching styles. By recognising their own predispositions, Educators can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Self-aware teachers are better equipped to identify areas of improvement and continuously work on refining their teaching techniques.

Fostering Problem-Solving Skills

Incorporating critical reflection in early education nurtures problem-solving skills among both Educators and children. When Educators critically reflect on their teaching practices, they can identify challenges faced by their children.

By encouraging children to reflect critically on their own learning experiences, Educators empower them to become active problem solvers. This skill is invaluable for real-life situations. 

Encouraging Lifelong Learning

Early education is the foundation upon which a child's lifelong learning journey is built. At Grow Early Education, we understand that children learn in different ways, and therefore we support each individual child’s learning needs, ensuring that every child feels and experiences success and accomplishment. Through this process, we aim to inspire all children and instil a love for learning that they will take with them through life.

Critical reflection instils a sense of curiosity and a love for learning. Educators who engage in reflective practices are more likely to seek out new teaching methodologies, educational theories, and research findings.

This continuous pursuit of knowledge creates a dynamic learning environment that stimulates young minds and prepares them for a future where adaptability and continuous learning are key.

Promoting Empathy and Understanding

Critical reflection encourages empathy and understanding among Educators. By reflecting on their teaching methods and the outcomes, Educators develop a deeper understanding of the children's perspectives, needs, and challenges.

This understanding allows them to tailor their teaching approaches, ensuring that every child receives the support they require. In turn, children learn empathy by reflecting on different viewpoints and experiences, fostering a compassionate and inclusive learning community.

In the realm of early education, critical reflection serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards a more effective, empathetic, and inclusive teaching practice.

By promoting deep learning, enhancing self-awareness, fostering problem-solving skills, encouraging lifelong learning, and nurturing empathy, critical reflection paves the way for a generation of young minds that are not just academically proficient but also compassionate, adaptable, and open-minded.

Grow Early Education will continue to champion critical reflection in early education, investing in a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the world.

Children’s Week is an annual event in Australia, which celebrates the right of children to enjoy childhood. It is also a time for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and abilities!

As early childhood education providers, Grow Early Education is privileged to partner every day with families to celebrate and support children.  It is also our responsibility to provide a safe, loving, and stimulating environment where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

The Children’s Week National Theme for 2023 is based on UNCRC Article 31:

All Children have the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.

We love this year’s theme, because at Grow Early Education we embrace the Early Years Learning Framework’s definition of play based learning and intentionality! Children learn through play, and through spontaneous and planned learning experiences and interactions. With this in mind, we have designed large inspiring play spaces that allow children to learn through exploratory play.

Our inspiring learning environments are set up with a variety of indoor and outdoor learning spaces. Children are encouraged to move freely between the two environments to explore their individual interests. We provide active and quiet spaces, and areas for messy, wet, and creative play.

Extra-Curricular Activities to Enhance Learning

At Grow Early Education, we also maximise the learning opportunities available to children by providing a variety of extra-curricular activities (all included in our daily fee).  This extends on children’s interests and enhances their learning experience.

These specialised learning programs include; Yoga, cooking classes, language programs, community gardening, sports programs and science and technology experiences delivered through our state-of-the-art interactive whiteboards and individual computer stations.

Our Approach to Rest & Sleep Times

One of the many ways we support the children in our care is to promote regular routine and ensure they are well rested. Rest time is an essential part of the day’s program and we comply with National Legislations and ACECQA (The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority) recommendations.

At Grow Early Education, we adopt a flexible approach to sleep and rest at our centres, which is individualised to each child’s needs.  We partner with the families to learn and follow their at home schedules, in addition to watching each child for verbal and non-verbal cues to assess their individual needs.

Each classroom creates a relaxing and peaceful environment by playing soft music, turning off the lights, and allowing children to have their own personal cuddle toy or comforter from home whilst resting. Each classroom has been designed to ensure adequate ventilation, and that the temperature, lighting and ambience of the sleep room or area encourages sleep and rest. Depending on the age and developmental stage of the child, we offer cots or beds during sleep and rest times. We also provide bed linen as part of our daily fee, which is a huge convenience for our families!

Older children who do not wish to sleep, are provided with opportunities for play so they are engaged in restful and quiet activities.  This ranges from relaxing in bed, to yoga and reading books in our quiet reading nooks.

We are pleased to say that Grow Early Education is compliant with the new sleep and rest legislative requirements from ACECQA that commenced from 1 October, 2023.  This includes having conducted a risk assessment of our centres in relation to sleep and rest for the purpose of preparing sleep and rest policies and procedures (regulation 84C).

Child Safety is Our Priority

Grow Early Education is committed to providing safe, clean and welcoming environments for all families. Our centres are accessed only through a single entry with key pad technology and our sign in and out kiosks provide families with a secure and convenient drop off and pick up system.

Our Educators at Grow Early Education all hold a current working with children check and relevant Early Childhood qualifications including first aid, asthma and anaphylaxis training. Regular audits of our safety systems, staffing and play environments are conducted to ensure the highest protection of your children.

Cultural Experiences

We are deeply committed to embracing the cultures and heritages of our families, Educators and local communities and celebrate the rich diversity that this brings to our early learning curriculum.

Each of our Grow centres strive to create an Educational Program that truly reflects the lives of children, families, staff and the wider community. Educators will have an open, caring attitude to diversity and inclusion within the centre. Cultural sameness and diversity is celebrated!

Our Educational Programs include the provision of a range of multicultural activities, books, toys and games for all children at our centres. This creates an opportunity for Educators to raise awareness and positively affirm differences on an ongoing basis with these multicultural resources.

At Grow Early Education, we celebrate diverse festivities to educate ourselves and the children on different cultural celebrations. Some examples include Diwali, Chinese New Year and NAIDOC week. Educators will program activities around these special days as one approach to raising cultural awareness, which creates opportunities for child-initiated exploration, extending conversations and creating teaching moments.

It is important to note, that our Educational Programs also reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. This is done through posters, books, play equipment, music, language, displays, celebrating NAIDOC Week, proudly displaying an acknowledgement of county in our centres and making connections with local Elders (to name a few).

If our approach to early education and care sounds like the right fit for you and your family, give our friendly team a call on 1300 934 769 and book a tour of your closest centre.  We are currently taking enquiries for 2024 enrolments!

If you would like to get involved in Children’s Week, there are a diverse range of events and activities organised at National, State and Local levels. These focus the attention of the wider community on children, their needs and achievements. You can find out how to get involved by visiting the Children’s Week Council of Australia’s website at www.childrens-week.org.au