Bargo, Bow Bowing, Campbelltown, Currans Hill, Denham Court, Glenfield, Harrington Park, Ingleburn, Maquarie Fields, Mount Annan, Narellan, Narellan Vale, Narellan Vale, St Helens Park, Minto, Picton/Wilton, Raby Child Care Centres.
Leaping Learners Early Education Centre - Mt Annan
11 Stenhouse Drive MOUNT ANNAN NSW 2567
Ph: 02 4647 3033
WE ARE HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE WERE FINALISED OF THE SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS FOR 2009 "OUTSTANDING CHILD CARE CENTRE IN THE MACARTHUR AREA"
At Leaping Learners Early Education Centre we aim to provide a service that meets and reflects the needs of children, families and the community and promotes quality outcomes for children through high quality, continuities care and positive relationships.
We aim to provide a program that follows a constructivist approach that incorporates a flexible balance of adult directed and child directed activities.
We also believe that it is important to balance a focus on developmental domains with that of the children's interests, themes, projects, learning centres and some emergent curriculum.
We aim to provide a flexible, individualised, multicultural and anti-biased play based approach with a focus on relationships and collaboration.
MANAGEMENT Taneka Smith - Owner/Director - Bachelor of Teaching Degree Amanda Whitmore - Owner/Director - Bachelor of Teaching Degree Kelly Hungerford - Authorised Supervisor - Bachelor of Teaching Degree
HOURS OF OPERATION
Our centres are open 7am- 6pm Monday to Friday. The centres are open 51 weeks per year and closed on public holidays and 1 week at Christmas
Age Groupings
At Leaping Learners our centre caters for children aged 0-6 years old, consisting of
-0-2 years 2-3 years 3-5 years
Before and after school care Vacation Care
We operate an OPEN DOOR POLICY, where a parent you have the right to feel totally at easy with your child's care at all times.We want all parents, other family members and friends to feel that this is your centre and are part of the child care environment.
Please feel free to drop in at any time.Please ask us if you have any questions about anything at all to do with this centre.If you have any ideas or suggestions please let us know, we are always looking for new things to do!
Our Team
The staff at Leaping Learners are our biggest asset. The centre has employed staff with a wide range of qualifications, experience and expertise and we are committed to providing high quality care and therefore we employ staff with all the necessary qualifications to care for all children.
Each staff member has a current First Aid Certificate and all staff are encouraged and expected to attend courses and "In-Services" during the year to maintain knowledge and teaching methods. Staff members work closely with parents, providing care that meets the needs of the children, parents and local community. Additional staff may be employed to assist children with Special Needs.
The Directors are responsible for the overall management of the centre. The centre maintains correct staffing ratios as defined by the Children's Services Regulations (State) 2004.
Leaping Learners believes:
Children are individuals with rights and choices for learning;
Early childhood is a significant time during which early experience influences development;
Learning occurs through play (Frobel), sensory exploration (Montessori) and social interactions (Vggotsky);
Education should be individualised and meet children's families/communities needs;
Education should be sensory, follow the children's needs interests (Reggio Emilia) and be relevant to their lives;
Education should be holistic and develop the whole child (Steiner)
Education should develop skills for life (Montessori)
Education should promote individual growth, equity and social change (attitudes/dispositions).
Education and teaching should involve families and the community
Teaching should balance teacher directed-child directed experiences and structure flexibility
Teaching should develop relationship and encourage interactions
Teaching will be based on current research and theory
Professional development is important to teach effectively
The environment should be safe, appealing, secure and offer free choice.
Early Childhood Teacher Owned & Operated
Our Early Education Centre WON the Small Business Awards in 2008 & 2009 "Outstanding Child Care Centre in the Macarthur Area"
Child Care Benefit & 50% Rebate available
All nappies, wipes, sunscreen and tissues provided
Modern, 5 Star Child Care Centre Facilities & Equipment
Before and After School Care and Vacation Care
Safe, Nurturing & Fun filled learning atmosphere with spacious rooms & a large, shady outdoor playground with a separate babies yard.
Heating & Air Conditioning in all rooms
All Nutritious, Culturally appropriate meals provided including Hot Meals
University Trained Teachers & Qualified Carers
Individualised/ Multicultural and Anti-biased Approach
Educational School Readiness Curriculum including phonics, literacy, maths
Music and Movement Curriculum
Orientation Period Offered for New Families
Developmental Learning Portfolios and Yearly and half-yearly Progress Reports
Accredited Sun Smart Centre
We strive to ensure that your enrolment at Leaping Learners is a positive experience for both you and your child. When you visit the centre you will be given an enrolment package. The centre director will discuss important information including, centre policies, daily routine for your child's room and centre programs.
A minimum of 2 days is suggested to support each child's involvement in the developmental programs offered and to assist in the development of their friendships. All families are asked to bring along for the enrolment process, your child's immunisation records (blue book) and Birth Certificate; these will be copied and kept in your child's records.
At Leaping Learners Early Education Centre we strive to provide High Quality Care, so we ask for your cooperation in prompt payment of fees, which can be made by Ezidebit, Eftpos, Cheque, or Visa payments. There is a 2% surcharge on all credit card payments, if you wish to pay by direct deposit please ask for bank details.
A bond of $100 applies to each child upon enrolment and an enrolment fee of $30. (this includes a leaping learners children's t-shirt) Fees are payable for public holidays, sick days and if your child is absent on booked days. The centre is closed for 1 week over Christmas and fees are not charged. Fees will be charged from the date that the centre re-opens. We require two weeks written notice if you wish to terminate your child's position or reduction of days.
Orientation
An orientation process is provided at Learning Learners (once your bond and administration fee has been paid). You and your child are invited to participate n our orientation program. Orientation takes place from 9.30am to 11.00am daily, so you and your child can experience the day at Leaping Learners.
Child Care Rebate (CCB)
Parents may claim a 50% Child Care Tax Rebate capped at $7,500 a year. The Child Care Tax Rebate assists parents or guardians who are working, studying or training with their out of pocket child care costs.
All families are entitled to apply to the Centrelink Family Assistance Office for Child Care Benefit, irrespective of income. Child Care Benefit is a subsidy provided by the Commonwealth Government to approved long day child care centres. This subsidy is then used to reduce the amount that parents are required to pay to the centre. Full fees will be charged if you do not have a current assessment. The federally funded Child Care Benefit Scheme is designed to ensure all families can afford quality Childcare.
Please contact the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50 between 8am & 8pm Monday to Friday.
Additional Needs
Cater for children with a wide range of additional needs. Disabled facilities; inclusive integrated program
At Leaping Learners we provide an educational approach to traditional care. Our educational approach is based on our knowledge of HOW children learn and WAYS children learn. We provide a stimulating environment and plan experiences and interactions that encourage learning. Is educational important in the early years?? Yes!! Early childhood is the most critical period in life for brain growth and development.It is a unique stage in the human life cycle and as such we need to acknowledge the unique learning and development opportunities that occur at this time and ensure that children are exposed to quality educational experiences early in life. We recognise the importance of the early childhood period and its critical significance for children's development.Therefore, we ensure that our centre policies and practices are current early childhood research, providing quality experiences based on sound theoretical foundations. Leaping Learners is much more than care..its education and a leap start in learning.
Our program
We believe every child is unique therefore a child will benefit most when a program is responsive to their needs, interests and abilities.Therefore, our programs will include both planned and unplanned experiences and interactions which occur throughout the day.Programmed activities will be displayed in our rooms.Please feel to ask questions or make suggestions anytime regarding our program.It would be greatly appreciated if you could participate or contribute in some way to the daily program, eg read a story, cooking with the children, bring in a cultural artefact.Share your skills with us!!
Children's Computers
Technology is an important aspect of our program and we have fitted two of our rooms with children's computers.The children are given free access to the computers on a daily basis to help develop their knowledge and skills.Our carefully selected software is educational and age appropriate and is incorporated in to the daily curriculum to extend the children's learning on current classroom topics.
School Readiness
We offer a unique educational school readiness curriculum which incorporates several programs used in NSW schools and has been developed by early childhood teachers according to recommendations from recognised educational organisations.
This exclusive curriculum is multi-faceted and focuses largely on phonics, maths and literacy and assists children to develop the necessary attitudes and skills required for the transition to school.
Extra-Curricular Activities - special events
Farms
Multicultural dances/performers
Family Days
Social Days
Crazy Hair Days,
Dress Up Days,
Pyjama Day
Nutrition
Our aim is to provide our children with a balanced and nutritional diet that meets 50% of their recommended daily intakes by introducing a variety of foods from the Core Food Groups (breads, cereals, dairy, meat and meat alternatives, fruits and vegetables).
Our Menu is on display in the front foyer and the kitchen for families to view at any time. Our qualified and experienced cook will prepare nutritious daily meals following the balanced dietary guidelines.
Food preparation, serving and handling will be managed in accordance with Safe Food Handling Practices and relevant staff have completed the necessary training and qualifications on food handling/hygiene, food preparation, menu planning and nutrition to ensure this is complied with.
We advocate that meal times are an enjoyable event for the children we encourage healthy eating attitudes for the children
Sun Smart Centre
Our centre is a Cancer Council Approved Sun Smart Centre.Leaping Learners have a "no hat, no play policy".
This means that children who do not bring a hat to preschool, must play in the shade.We adhere to a strict Sun Smart Policy, which has been developed to ensure that all children are protected from skin damage caused by the harmful UV rays of the sun.Should you child be allergic to common brands of sunscreen, we ask that you send specific sunscreen for your child.
Children are to wear a hat outside at all times even if it is overcast weather.
Children will be required to bring and wear hats which protect the face, neck and ears.Must be a bucket or legionnaires hat.
It is the parents responsibility to provide a hat for their child, has must be clearly labelled with the name.
Hats must go home weekly to be washed and returned the following week.
Children who don't have a hat will be encouraged not to play in the sun, the centre follows the policy "no hat, no play".
Clothing - singlet tops and thongs must not be worn.
Please do not send your child in these as they are not appropriate.
