Getting back to Nature

Get back to Nature at LEAD Childcare

Bush Kindy or Nature Play is an amazing way for our children to truly connect with nature and extend their learning experiences.
At LEAD Childcare we are so grateful our Educators encourage Bush Kindy or Nature Play within their services.

Catering for all age groups from the Nursery to Kindy enjoy the unique immersive experience that Nature play offers. Bush Kindy / Nature Play provides many benefits for children’s development, such as supporting physical and mental health. It aids in building resilience, creativity and emotional intelligence and environmental awareness.

The earlier we share nature with our children, the more likely they are to develop a lifelong love of the outdoors. We don’t even have to travel far to enjoy nature, our Educators choose to connect with nature in their local parks, local nature reserves, the centre’s outdoor environments, garden beds and tough tray activities using natural elements from the environment around them.

Bush Kindy / Nature Play activities that engage our children include and not limited to: excursions to local parks and nature reserves, where children explore the environment around them, planting native trees, building cubbies with fallen branches, nature based magic potions using flowers, seeds, leaves and grass, observing insects and other fauna in their natural environment, the possibilities are endless.

As each LEAD Childcare service has its own unique philosophy and culture reflective to its specific location, children, families, employees and community – check with your local LEAD Childcare service to see if they offer Bush Kindy or Nature Play as part of their service based learning.

Term 1 2024 – In Brief

Reflecting on the events and celebrations we shared in Term 1. Sit back, relax and enjoy the latest edition of The LEAD Bulletin.

A brief snap-shot of events and moments celebrated through Term 1, with a sneak peak on the events planned for Term 2.  Published quarterly, The LEAD Bulletin is a great way to stay connected with all things LEAD Childcare.

LEAD Bulletin - Term 1 2024

FREE Kindy for all!

Introducing FREE Kindy!

From 1 January 2024, Kindy is FREE for all Queensland children.

 

We all want our children to have a strong start to their education, it’s exciting to announce that the Queensland Government is making Kindy FREE in 2024.

What this looks like for our families, Kindergarten or Kindy is 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year and is FREE for eligible Queensland children.

Who is eligible for FREE Kindy? Children aged at least 4 years of age by 30 June in the year before they attend Prep. Children attending an approved Kindergarten Program, delivered by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher will be eligible for FREE Kindy, including approved Kindergarten Programs within a long day care setting.

Follow this link to the Kindy age calculator here.

Kindergarten is delivered in different ways at different services. For some services, 15 hours of free Kindy may be delivered over two or three days, with additional care paid for separately. If a child attends Kindy in a long day care setting, additional care may be covered in part by the Australian Government Childcare Subsidy.

Kindy is a place where your little one will make friends, explore new environments, build confidence and have fun learning. Kindy offers meaningful experiences and interactions that support your child’s early learning, wellbeing and development, now and into the future.

There are so many benefits you will see your child gain through attending Kindy, an opportunity for your child to build independence and a sense of identity through a range of fun and challenging experiences. By interacting with others, exercising agency and engaging in life’s complexities and joys, children learn how to meet challenges encountered in everyday life.

For more information on the Free Kindy for all, talk to your LEAD Childcare Family Support Leader, Centre Manager or visit the Queensland Government website.

 

Celebrating Big Hearts

Educators’ Day at LEAD Childcare
– it takes a big heart to shape little minds

Every year in September we celebrate the commitment and the hard work of our Early Childhood Educators. Our industry dedicates one day a year to recognising the work that our Educators do on a daily basis. At LEAD Childcare we like to dedicate the entire month of September to our Educators. Showering them in gifts and appreciation each week to show them how much we appreciate and value the work that they do for our youngest generation.

We admire our Educators tireless effort in educating and shaping the minds of our children throughout their most important years of learning. Their passion and commitment is inspiring. Educators, we cannot thank you enough for your hard work, commitment and patience. You are the bone of our communities, preparing our next generation to lead the world towards a brighter future. You are loved and appreciated beyond measure.

 

Note from our CEO, Dr. Nina Hefford.

Dear Educators,
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I want you all to know, how grateful, proud and appreciative I am of everything you do, day in, day out!
We see you, we hear you, we value you!

You are LEAD Childcare!

 

A message from our General Manager, Shar Tukaokao.

We want to thank you for all the hard work you do everyday.  The work that is seen and the work that is less apparent.

Committed and passionate Teachers and Educators are irreplaceable hero’s in our Children’s lives. The appreciation is a lifelong reward that not only comes from this ‘Thank You’ message but in the memories your children will have about the time they have spent with you when they are grown. Conversation’s they will share with their own children as they remember the positive impact you have had on their life journey.

 

Connection is key at LEAD Childcare

Welcome all of our LEAD Childcare families, colleagues and wider communities to The LEAD Bulletin August/September Edition. The LEAD Bulletin is a great way to capture a snap-shot of the month that was, the month that is and a sneak peak into what’s to come!  Published bi-monthly, it’s a great way to stay connected to all things LEAD Childcare.

The LEAD Bulletin_August2023

Murrumba Village Now Open!

LEAD Childcare Murrumba Village

Now Open!

LEAD Childcare is expanding once again! The newest addition to our family is open and now taking enrolments!

Our dedicated Centre Manager Cathy has been working tirelessly to ensure that this brand-new addition is perfect for our foundation children.

This brand-new, purpose-built service offers engaging and inspiring learning environments for children from 6 weeks of age to school age. LEAD Childcare Murrumba Village features age-appropriate environments within light filled rooms and large outdoor environments for children to explore and play. Our spaces are filled with engaging resources to encourage children to use their imagination and ignite curiosity.

Murrumba Village will also feature a specialised art studio, heated swimming pool with AUSTSWIM Accredited swimming instructors for year-round swimming lessons, indoor/outdoor piazza for mixed age interaction and meal times as well as a large welcoming reception area for our team to engage with our families.

We have an onsite children’s cook to provide our children with nutritious, home style meals which include breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack. To view images of the Centre, further information or to Book a Tour click here.

 

Introducing our Centre Manager, Cathy!

“I started working within the Early Education Industry when I was 17 years old and have always had a passion for the early years. I have worked with children of all ages and in many roles, from Assistant Educator to a General Manager.

I am married with three children and have two dogs. When I am away from the Service I love fishing, going to the beach and camping!

I am passionate about creating stimulating learning environments and maintaining high quality care and education across the service. Working in the Early Education Industry provides an opportunity to make a real difference in the way a child approaches learning for life. You can encourage, nurture and support positive outcomes for children’s health, well-being and learning during the most important developmental years of a child’s life.

I am most excited about building a community at Murrumba Village. A community where children have the opportunity to learn and grow together!”

Interested in enrolling? Send our friendly Centre Manager Cathy an email at [email protected] or submit an enquiry through the website.

We are searching for the perfect team for our brand-new Service. If you are interested in a position with us, email your cover letter and resume to [email protected].

Community Connections with LEAD

It’s time for the latest instalment of the LEAD Bulletin Vol. 13 June & July Edition, now publishing on a bi-monthly basis.  We’ve refreshed the look of our beloved newsletter for our LEAD Childcare families, colleagues and community.

 

The LEAD Bulletin_June2023

Kindy Uplift Program

Introducing the Kindy Uplift Program

At LEAD Childcare we are passionate about providing high quality programs and learning, especially for our Kindergarten Children.

Our Kindergarten programs are unique to each Service location. Our dedicated Early Childhood Teachers take pride and passion in providing our Kindergarten children with the fundamental skills and tools to be able to take on Prep as equipped and prepared as they can be.

In addition to our already established Kindergarten programs within our Services Mango Hill, Caboolture and Toowoomba have been privileged to be invited to be apart of the Queensland Government Kindergarten Uplift Program. This program enables our Services to respond to the educational and developmental needs of our Kindergarten Children.

This program funds programs, resources, supports and provides professional development to build Educator capability, support inclusion and improve children’s learning and development. The funding will also be used to strengthen access to, and meaningful participation in, the full range of Kindergarten experiences.

The Queensland Government along with LEAD Childcare is committed to ensuring every child has a great start, setting strong foundations for learning and life.

Christmas Connection at LEAD Childcare

A festive note to round out the year, The LEAD Bulletin Vol. 10 December Edition is here! The LEAD Bulletin is a great way to capture a snap-shot of the month that was and a sneak peak into the New Year!  Usually published bi-monthly, this edition features all things Christmas!

THE LEAD BULLETIN_Vol.10_ChristmasEdition2022

Stay Connected at LEAD Childcare

Welcome all of our LEAD Childcare families, colleagues and wider communities to The LEAD Bulletin Vol. 9 November Edition. The LEAD Bulletin is a great way to capture a snap-shot of the month that was and a sneak peak into the month ahead and the New Year!  Usually published bi-monthly, this edition features November – with a special Christmas Edition to be released in December!

THE LEAD BULLETIN_Vol.9_November2022