Our Program

Ready for School and Life

We want our community’s children to have the best start in life. At Keymer Childcare Centre, we endeavour to prepare your child to leave our care with confidence and skills to meet the challenges of school and life.

Below are the 7 areas of learning and development that provide a basis for making your child ready for school and life and are all equally important and interconnected. The 7 areas are particularly important in developing a child’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and enhancing their ability to learn, form relationships and develop basic life skills.

represent EYLF Outcomes

Australian Government’s National Quality Framework

Communication and language

Physical, social and emotional development

Literacy

Numeracy

Understanding the world

Expressive arts and design

Our types of

Program

POSSUMS 0-2 years

Our possums room caters for up to 10 children per day with 3 educators who have a Certificate 3 or Diploma in Children’s Services or are ECT trained.
A sleep and nappy chart are provided for families to view which is near the entrance to the Possum room.
There are plenty of opportunities for children to learn and explore their environment safely.

WOMBATS 2-3 years

Our wombats room caters for up to 15 children a day with 3 educators who have a Certificate 3 or Diploma in Children’s Services or are ECT trained.
We understand that children develop at their own pace and are not rushed to complete tasks, particularly toilet training.
Children are generally using more language than our possum friends, refining their coordination skills and starting to play in small groups.

KOALAS 3-4 years

We have up to 23 children in the room each day with 3 to 4 educators who have a Certificate 3, Diploma in Children’s Services or are ECT trained.
Children continue to develop in the area of language, social, gross and fine motor skills and cognitive development.
Koala educators work together to provide a stimulating indoor program throughout the day. The activities and experiences are designed to excite and motivate young children’s sense of discovery and creativity. The Koala playroom provides a safe and secure environment where the development of a positive attitude to learning and making discoveries and solving problems is encouraged.
We help children to become more independent and self-reliant in self-help tasks and in play.
Children will also build positive relationships with other children and adults and develop muscular control and co-ordination. These skills will be developed through activities such as: various forms of art and craft, working with construction materials, drawing and working with sensory materials, dramatic play and music/movement activities.

KANGAROOS 4-5 years

We have up to 23 children in each room a day with 3 to 4 educators who have a Certificate 3, Diploma in Children’s Services or are ECT trained.
Children continue to develop in the area of language, social, gross and fine motor skills and cognitive development.
Kangaroo educators work together to provide a stimulating indoor program throughout the day, which provides children with optimal choices for their play and learning. Many activities and experiences are designed to excite and motivate young children’s sense of discovery and creativity. The Kangaroo playroom provides a safe and secure environment where the development of a positive attitude to learning and making discoveries and solving problems is encouraged.
We help children to become more independent and self-reliant in self-help tasks and in play.
Children will also build positive relationships with other children and adults and develop muscular control and coordination. These skills will be developed through activities such as various forms of art and craft, working with construction materials, drawing and working with sensory materials, dramatic play and music/movement activities.

Sharing of your child’s development

Educators are available daily to discuss your child’s development briefly. However, if you have some more serious concerns or educators have concerns throughout the year, we can make appointments to discuss this properly away from the children where confidentiality can be maintained, and educators do not have to supervise children.

Educators use PicCollage/ Email for recording your child’s experiences of the day and development here at Keymer. We report in a positive and respectful way, celebrating the many achievements we see in children every day. If you require a detailed developmental review for a Specialist or School Application referral, we are more than happy to do these where needed.

The Daily program provides information on your child’s day, so please take time to read it when you can. It is in your child’s room, just ask an Educator to show you where it is displayed. The program is sent home each day via email.

Working together in partnership

It is vital that both educators and family members communicate with each other effectively for the child’s best interests.
Communication is a two-way process, and educators will keep families informed about their children.
Please let us know about anything you feel will affect your child to ensure we can effectively cater to their needs.
Each family has a pocket with their name on it hanging outside under our verandah on the entryway into the front door of the service. Please check these each day your child/children attend as they have important notices in them for families.
Important notices are either emailed to parents or placed in pockets.

Supporting children’s behavior

We use positive strategies for guiding behaviour, including praising the children’s good/desirable behaviours and re-directing undesirable behaviour. Educators take care to provide an environment most conducive to positive behaviours. Children are set a standard of acceptable behaviours to follow, which will assist in the cohesive operation of the centre. Children are given choices when it comes to determining the outcomes of chosen behaviours. Sometimes we try to ignore inappropriate behaviours if these behaviours do not impact anyone or anything else.

Suppose a child continues to behave in an inappropriate way that is harmful or detrimental to other people or property and we have tried all the above techniques. In that case, a child may be offered an alternative place to play or place to calm down for a short period until they can participate once more in a safe and acceptable way.

Staff will always use simple language for children to understand at a level directed to children. Educators will speak to parents regarding their child’s behaviour if any challenges arise. Please inform us of any difficulties you may have, and we can work out some strategies together to help your child’s behaviours and social development. If you have any concerns, please feel free to see the educators in your child’s room or the Director.