Starting a child in childcare is a huge deal for parents (and children, of course). Whether your little one starts in the nursery at six months or in the kindergarten program at four or five years of age, you’re still likely to have butterflies in your stomach and a few tears forming in your eyes.
Totally normal, especially on the first day!
But you know what makes the transition into childcare so much easier? Knowing you’ve made the right choice with your childcare centre.
For thousands of families across Australia, the right choice is Guardian Childcare & Education Centres, and we’re excited to share with you below exactly why.
Celebrating the wonder of learning at Guardian Childcare
Guardian Childcare & Education Centres aren’t just a place to drop off your children and mind them for the day, but rather space for them. to learn, thrive and feel comfortable and safe when away from you.
Below are just a few ways that Guardian Childcare & Education Centres really stand out.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”The village you need”]
Leaving your little one in the care of someone else can be hard for some of us. Your child may not want to leave you, you may have a bad case of the mum guilts, you may miss them terribly. Possibly all three.
It’s completely understandable which is why it’s so nice to have a childcare centre that isn’t just a facility, but a support system. One that is catered to your child and your situation.
Staff follow the Early Years Learning Framework but they also see what your child loves, what they respond to, what makes them smile and laugh and they work with this.
They also work with families, offering longer hours and casual days, if possible, for families that may work rostered or unpredictable hours.
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Children are curious by nature and Guardian Childcare & Education Centres aims to nurture this creativity. Their teachers and educators are skilled in helping children learn through play and promote interaction with natural materials in both indoor and outdoor spaces.Â
Inside you’ll most likely find real-world inspired play areas (dress-ups, kitchens, shops), reading nooks, musical instruments, building activities, and a range of open-ended resources. When a child is using open-ended resources, they are free to use their creativity and imagination – there is no right or wrong way to the play.
A set of wooden blocks is a good example: One moment it’s a pirate ship sailing the high seas; the next moment a maze or puzzle to be solved. Open-ended resources inspire curiosity and support discovery – the building blocks for successful lifelong learning.
Outside you’ll find messy and imaginative play galore with natural play zones, cubby houses, sandpits, forts, gardening facilities, water play, and, of course, plenty of space to climb and explore.
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One of the cool things about childcare and kindergartens these days is that there is a National Quality Standard by which all facilities are graded on. Before you make your choice, you should always check to see where the centre stands.
93% of Guardian Centres either meet or exceed the National Quality Standard
This means they are well above the rest in terms of health and safety, staffing, educational programs, relationships with children and more.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”Incredible preschool program”]
The Guardian ‘Moving on Up to School’ Preschool Program is not only led by university-degree teachers and specialists, but it’s also suited to parents who need care outside the typical preschool or kindergarten hours. After all, pickup at 2.30pm isn’t always doable.
A great introduction to ‘big school’
Through the ‘Moving on Up’ to School program, children are introduced to the wonderful world of ‘big school’. This play-based program is a positive, nurturing, and comforting way to prepare your kindergarten children for what’s to come next year.
Not only will your child be taught basic numeracy and literacy skills, but they will also take home valuable social and emotional skills required to be confident and resilient – so important for their schooling journey.
Confidence in their learning journey
Parents, you’ll also get a clear idea of where your child is before formal schooling starts. For children on the cusp, this is an invaluable resource to decide whether to hold them back or not. It also gives all parents a clear idea of what to practice or what areas to focus on before starting school.
The aim is to not only prepare children for big school, but to get them excited about what’s to come. After all, this is a big milestone for them!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”Close to home, close to work”]
Driving here, there, and everywhere isn’t always the best way to start the day and so finding a childcare centre that’s closeby is always a huge plus, especially if you are doing the drop-off/pick-up daily.
The good news for parents is that there is most likely a Guardian Childcare & Education Centre close to you.
There are over 120 across Australia including:
- 8 centres in SA
- 17 centres in QLD
- 51 centres in VIC
- 39 centres in NSW
- 6 centres in ACT
Knowing your little one is just down the road can be such a relief, especially after a long day when the last thing you want to do is drive further away from home to pick up your child. #NoThanks.Â
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The staff at any childcare facility shouldn’t just be babysitters. At Guardian, they are not.
As we mentioned, Guardian staff are early childhood educators but they are much more than that. They are your child’s educators, mentors and mates. They see what makes your child tick and they work with this, building their confidence and working with them to continue to grow and blossom.
The team at Guardian Childcare & Education Centres are part of your child’s support system. They aim to help with every single milestone in a way that suits your family. From transitioning to a bottle to transitioning out of naps, from toilet training to taking turns. Guardian is there to work WITH you and your child, every step of the way.
To us, this is what makes Guardian Childcare an easy choice – this individualised approach to giving your little one a happy, nurturing, and fun childcare journey.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”More to love about Guardian Childcare”]
Of course, these are just some of the great things about Guardian Childcare & Education Centres. They also:
- Offer casual care days where possible
- Assist with government subsidies and entitlementsÂ
- Promote sustainability, teaching children about the importance of reusing, reducing and recycling
- Are dedicated to health and wellness
- Offer excursions into the local community
- Have designated drop off and pick up zones to assist with busy mornings and afternoons
- Keep parents up to date with the app StoryParkÂ
- Hold parent and educator sessions to keep you informed of your child’s individual progressÂ
BOOK A TOUR
If you are on the hunt for childcare, childcare or kindergarten, give Guardian Childcare & Education Centres a call or visit them online. They offer free tours at any of their centres (Due to COVID, VIC tours are virtual at this stage), and even hold Saturday tours for those who can’t make a midweek one!
