Facilities | Kids Cottage

Our Facilities

Contemporary theories and research informed by the Reggio Emilia approach recognise and value the environment as a ‘third teacher’. We acknowledge the environment as a powerful influence in children’s learning behaviour. The environment includes physical spaces and materials, both indoors and outdoors. The environment teachers, offers opportunities to make meaning and connections, affects mood, guides children’s behaviour, and influences interactions. The environment is a major contributor to children’s experience in a children’s experience.

Indoors

There are large viewing windows to the play spaces and outdoors with some positioned at the child’s level. Access to the outside in each child’s room is through a porch and steps. Entries capture the attention of both children and adults through the use of mirrors, photographs, and children’s work accompanied by transcriptions of their discussions. These same features characterise play space interiors, where displays of project work are interspersed with arrays of found objects and play space materials. In each case, the aim is for the environment to inform and engage the viewer.

Outdoors

Offers opportunities for children to learn, explore, and feel a part of where they are. One of the aims of our early childhood program is to nurture in children a love of nature, and a desire to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural world around them. We believe the strong links to nature and the natural environment is a source of learning and the infinite opportunities for learning that it offers. The objects and resources within it will be used for play or as catalyst for learning. Windows and doors provide natural light and opportunities to observe the natural environment. Bird attracting plants have been planted outside and by locating relevant books and posters nearby there is a ready-made source of interest to observe and talk about. Children are visible in the community as small groups of children will be visiting public spaces, local parks, schools, libraries, shops and services.

Nutrition Program

The service has a qualified certificate III level childcare support worker (cook) qualified in nutrition, menu planning and food handling, providing for morning and afternoon teas, late afternoon tea, lunch and any snacks. The meals prepared meet daily nutritional requirements, are sensitive to cultural and dietary needs, support and enhance diversity, and include families and children in menu planning. The cook works in collaboration with educators, children and families with regards to menu planning and cooking experiences. This process plays a major part in the program/curriculum and fostering the wellness and wellbeing of the service community.

Garden to Plate

Kids Cottage is a Kitchen Garden Classroom member of Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation. This means we believe in a unique community of early childhood services and schools committed to delivering pleasurable food education.

Register to Apply

Given the ever-increasing demand for places at our service we recommend that parents place their child on our waiting list as soon as possible. This entails the completion of an online application form at no cost. This application is the first step in the enrolment process and is not a guarantee of admission.

Is food provided?

Yes, a planned and nutritious menu which includes lunch, morning, afternoon & late afternoon tea and snacks is prepared on the premise by a cook. Also included are dietary and or cultural needs and requirements – please provide your own formula and bottle if required. Kids Cottage is an allergy aware service.

Does the service provide nappies?

No, nappies must be provided by the parent.

Do long day care services follow a set curriculum?

Under the National Law and Regulations, Early Childhood and Education and Care services including long day care are required to base their educational program on an approved learning framework.

This framework at the minimum focuses on addressing the developmental needs, interests and experiences of each child, while taking into account individual differences.

The national approved learning framework under the National Quality Framework (NQF) for young children birth to five years of age which outline practices that support and promote children’s learning is Belong, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF).

The EYLF describes the principles, practice and outcomes essential to support and enhance young children’s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to school.

The Framework has a strong emphasis on play-based learning as play is the best vehicle for young children’s learning providing the most appropriate stimulus for brain development. The Framework also recognises the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development.

At Kids Cottage, the EYLF is further enhanced with suitable adaptations of the NSW Curriculum Framework and Reggio Emilia principles approach to education.

Do you offer a transition to school program?

Yes, aligned with the pedagogical principles and practices of the EYLF, we offer a child led ‘play and inquiry-based’ preschool program including working together with families and other professionals to ensure your child is prepared with the transition from home and Early Childhood and Education and Care (ECEC) services to school.

The NSW Department of Education website has developed factual information to assist parents and educators with the Transition to School process.

Why is play Important?

Play-based learning is a context for learning through which children organise and make sense of their social worlds, as they engage actively with people, objects and representations

For more information visit: EYLF & startingblocks.gov.au

What is the difference between Long Day Care and Preschool?

Both preschools and long day care service types are licensed and regulated by the NSW Department of Education to ensure children are provided with a safe and appropriate environment for their care and wellbeing.

For example, both services must provide age appropriate development activities and employ suitably qualified staff such as employ a university qualified early childhood teacher (0-8 years) if they cater for more than 29 children identifying the fact that Early childhood teachers are not trained only for the preschool child.

Kids Cottage is rated Exceeds the quality assurance standard that Preschools have only now been required to meet in line with the new National Quality Framework and Early Years Learning Framework.

This makes Kids Cottage an approved long day child care provider by the Australian Government for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Families who satisfy eligibility requirements for Child Care Subsidy may receive payments if they use approved care.
Preschools are primarily for non-working families or families that only require the school hours. Long day care primarily cater for families requiring the longer hours such as studying and working. Both services provide a preschool program only if implemented by a Degree Qualified Early Childhood Teacher recognised by ACECQA.

What is important is the quality of the curriculum, program and service overall. Preschools operate in line with the school terms where long day care operates for most of the year and again catering for the development, well-being and education of the child whilst also supporting the working family by being open for the longer hours.

For more information visit the following website links to StartingBlocks.gov.au: choosing a quality education and care service for your child and family; types of education and care services & choosing quality care for preschoolers.

Is there public transport/off-street parking nearby?

Yes, Gladesville service parking for drop-off and collection is available in the car park located between 10-12 Oxford Street. Public buses are also available from nearby Victoria Road. Hunters Hill service, there is ample short term on-street parking available on Earl Street. Public buses are also available from nearby High Street, Princes Street and Pittwater Road.