Explore & Develop Waitara implements a play-based curriculum based on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
This curriculum sees our educators regularly observing the children to establish their interests, strengths, and skills. These observations are then used within our online documenting system (Kinderloop) as the basis of our weekly program. Kinderloop is accessible to families via an app to allow them to participate in their child’s learning at the service.
Our weekly program allows for a range of experiences that are based on the interests of the group, with an emphasis on play-based learning recognizing the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) social and emotional development, as well as physical development and coordination. This can be seen in all our environments, both inside and outside.
We also incorporate a “Transition to School” program into our long day care service. This program is designed to develop the necessary social and emotional skills within the children to allow them to function independently when they commence school. We do this through play-based learning experiences focusing on self-help skills, extending children’s ability to participate in structured small group experiences and supporting the development of early language, literacy and numeracy skills.
Explore & Develop Waitara is a purpose built Early Childhood Education and Care service that is privately owned and operated by Jo Iles, an Early Childhood professional, who is also a mum.
Our experienced teams of educators hold Certificate III, Diploma, or Bachelor Degrees in Early Childhood Education. They also undergo Working with Children Checks, have current First Aid training and regularly participate in ongoing professional development.
Our service has been assessed and rated against the seven Quality Areas of the National Quality Standard, and the Education and Care Services National Regulations. Our overall rating was “Meeting National Quality Standard” in January 2019. Our “Education Program and Practice” and our “Relationships with Children” were rated as “Exceeding National Quality Standard”
Our indoor learning environments are divided into five generous, well-resourced rooms to ensure that each age group is catered for across the 0 to five year age range
Our outdoor learning environment is divided into two separate areas to cater for the 0 to two, and two to five year age groups, providing a mix of shaded and sunny spaces, featuring established gardens.
Our service prepares all its meals daily onsite using fresh ingredients to ensure that a minimum of 50% of a child’s recommended daily intake of all nutrients is provided for each day in care.
Jo Iles began operating this service in June, 2009. She holds a Diploma of Children’s Services and she has been educating children since 1994. She believes that children have the right to be educated in a stimulating environment that provides opportunities for lots of play-based learning. Collaboration between families and educators bridge the gap between home and the service, to ensure that children receive consistent care. Children then develop a strong sense of self, and feel confident and secure to reach their full potential as they leave the service for further education.
12 children, 6 weeks – 18 months
16 children, 18 months – 2.5 years
15 children, 2.5 years – 3.5 years
20 children, 3 years – 4 years
26 children, 4 years – 5+ years
41-43 Balmoral Street
Waitara
NSW 2077
7:30am to 6:00pm
Monday to Friday
