Every week, some 15,000 children across Australia wave goodbye to their families from a Lifelong Learning Centre owned and operated by Affinity Education Group. Every week these children spend their days surrounded by love, learning and laughter as they discover just how fun and exciting Australian childcare centres can be.
FUN FACT: There are more than 160 approved Lifelong Learning Centres, operated by Affinity Education Group, across Australia including:
- Papilio Early Learning
- Milestones Early Learning
- Kids Academy Early Learning
- Aussie Kindies Early Learning
What does this means for parents looking for quality childcare in their area? One of Affinity Education Group’s centres is most likely only a short drive (or walk) away.Â
But when it comes to choosing a childcare centre that’s right for your child, it’s not always about the size or the distance, is it?
1. It’s about the little things
The one-on-one attention and care. The smiles the staff give when they see your child arrive.
The phone call you receive if your child had a bit of a rough day or did something extra exciting, like FINALLY pee in the toilet!
The little waves they give when you drop them off, bursting with excitement to get on with their day and play with their little mates.
The songs they pick up, that you most certainly didn’t teach them! And the crafts they bring home that you most certainly didn’t have to clean up after.
These little things matter so much, especially when you are spending the day away from them.
It’s so comforting to know that, even though you’re not there, your child is in excellent care, expanding on all sorts of skills, discovering a passion for lifelong learning, and, most importantly, full of stories to share when you get to pick them up.
2. Values matter
Choosing an early learning centre that grows and instills a love of lifelong learning in your child is all about doing your research, getting a feel for the different education centres and finding one where the education and learning values align with yours at home.
After all, you and your child’s educators will be working as a team, tackling some pretty tricky things along the way, from toilet training to transitioning out of nap sleeps, from basic number recognition to school readiness.
3. A commitment to learning
One of the things that really stands out about Lifelong Learning Centres is their commitment to lifelong learning – whether your little one is starting in the nursery, toddler room, or is venturing into a kindergarten or preschool program.
They use a unique research-based approach to early years education designed to grow and instill a love of lifelong learning in every child.
Research shows your child’s first five years are the most influential for their learning and development. This is when their brain develops faster than ever and when the foundations for ongoing learning are laid. Affinity Education’s Lifelong Learning educators are committed to nurturing the minds of young children during their fundamental early years by enhancing and instilling a love of learning that leads to growth, ability and resilience.
Educators and early childhood teachers nurture a lifelong love of learning through play-based experiences which help your child develop:
- Social Connectivity
- Emotional Confidence
- Foundational Learning
- Physical Health and Wellbeing
Their Lifelong Learning approach is shaped around Belonging, Being and Becoming, The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), Australia’s nationally-approved learning framework. Visit the Lifelong Learning for Early Childhood website for more information about each program.
4. A dash of daily FUN
Of course, at this age, learning goes hand in hand with fun … and there’s plenty of fun to be had every week too!
Children at Lifelong Learning discover a whole avenue of learning pathways and hopefully will discover a new passion (or two) along the way!
Some of the extracurricular activities include:
- Yoga and relaxation
- Nutritional cooking classes
- Language classes
- STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)
- Gardening and sustainability programs
- Athletic programs
- Performing arts
- Arts and crafts
5. Support for staff, support for children
Another thing that sets Lifelong Learning Centres apart is that their staff are truly committed to your children. This isn’t ‘just a job’ to them – this is a lifelong career path for them too.
Affinity Education Group provides educators with ongoing professional development, access to nationally recognised qualifications in early childhood education as well as business and mentoring programs.
What this means for parents is that you can drop them off and head off to work knowing that the staff caring for your children are genuinely excited to be doing so.
6. A welcoming spaceÂ
It only takes one step inside a Lifelong Learning Centre to also notice just how beautiful the learning spaces are.
With stunning gardens, plenty of creative outdoor areas plus several indoor learning zones for dress-up, pretend play, STEAM, creativity and more, it truly is a children’s paradise.
7. The COVID factorÂ
While three years ago, the thought of having to choose a childcare centre that has a good COVID Safe Plan in place wasn’t even a thing, well now it is. And Lifelong Learning has mastered this very well.
Throughout the pandemic, Affinity Education Group’s Quality and COVID Response Teams have remained vigilant in ensuring each Lifelong Learning Centre across its network has maintained strict compliance with state-based Government guidelines and provided support to each local centre team to keep their doors open.
We all want to ensure our children’s childcare is a safe and hygienic place, but for parents who rely on childcare remaining open, this is a massive plus.
8. A safe environmentÂ
Speaking of safety, this is another value that matters to most families looking into daycare.
Knowing that your child is not only in good hands, but is being treated kindly by all staff and other students is vital. If your child has a slip off the swing, or if another child gets upset and hits him, you deserve to know about it.
And, at Lifelong Learning Centres, you will.
Lifelong Learning Centres takes a national approach to prioritising child safety, rights and wellbeing and reflects a dedication to delivering safe learning environments for all staff and children in their care, with professionalism and respect.
9. Finally, go with your gut!Â
But perhaps the most important thing when it comes to choosing a childcare centre for your child is your instincts.
It’s a sense of peace you get when you walk into the centre. That sigh of relief when you say goodbye, knowing your child is going to be perfectly fine – great in fact.
It’s being able to focus on your job without constant worry. There’s no anxiety, no fear and no guilt because you know they are safe, happy and having a blast!
It’s a feeling that, even though your child is not at home with you, they still feel ‘at home’ there.
This is what Lifelong Learning Centres strive to provide for each and every family and why, if you are considering a childcare provider, they should definitely be on your radar.
Book your childcare centre tour today
Trusted by 15,000 families Australia wide, come and see why the Affinity Education Group’s community of Lifelong Learning Centres are so popular.
Enrolments are now open – Book a tour at a centre near you.
This is a sponsored post for Affinity Education Group
