Every activity is designed to help infants develop and move towards key milestones, from reading stories & singing songs with children, to promote oral and aural language skills to stimulating curiosity through sensory experiences.
Young Academics’ Evolution Program for infants recognises that this is a period of rapid growth and development for young children, and allows for tailored goals and milestones according to each child’s individual developmental timeline.
Some examples of how our Evolution Program supports your child’s learning and development during this important time include:
Active Learning Experiences
Every activity is designed to help infants develop and move towards key milestones, from reading stories & singing songs with children, to promote oral and aural language skills to stimulating curiosity through sensory experiences.
Age-Appropriate Resources
Through carefully selected resources, equipment and facilities such as sensory panels, toys and mirrors, infants naturally learn to recognise basic concepts and colours.
Routines and Consistency
To foster positive behaviours, our educators ensure that children’s individual needs for sleeping, eating, active and quiet play are met on time, every day.
Toddler learning happens through exploration and discovery and our Evolution Program focuses on stimulating curiosity through play-based learning and intentional teaching.
Some examples of how our Evolution Program supports your toddler’s learning and development include:
Learning Environments
Our outdoor environments and toddler rooms have been strategically designed to enhance every child’s experience, allowing them to learn, develop and explore freely through texture, space, colour and more.
Play-Based Learning
Our toddler program promotes positive learning through play where our educators lead the way for your child to discover, create and problem solve. This is done in both indoor and outdoor learning environments.
Nutrition
Every day, our in-house cooks prepare five healthy and nutritious meals and snacks that have been specifically planned by a dietician. Every child in our care is taught about the importance of nutrition, planting the seeds for a healthy lifestyle later in life.
is implemented
Play-based learning is a nationally recognised approach based on child-led and open-ended play. Play-based learning allows children to learn through exploration, developing and practicing language and physical skills and experimenting with new ideas. Children build confidence, express themselves creatively, and develop their sense of self and identity.
- Core
- Scholar
- Creative
- Wellness
- Wellbeing
- Our World
- Discovery
1Core
A part of teaching children resilience is providing the autonomy and confidence to make their own decisions. We guide infants by interpreting their non-verbal cues to allow them to choose the songs we sing, books we read and whether they want to participate in activities. Older children further develop independence once they are able to verbalise decisions through ‘yes’ and ‘no’.
2Scholar
Vital to this stage of life, is assisting children to develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Our educators promote oral and aural language skills in infants through reading, singing and dramatic play, while toddlers are supported by a combination of gestures and speech sounds in social games and nursery rhymes
3Creative
As an early introduction to the creative arts, infants are taught to recognise different textures, colours, and patterns with experiences such as fingerpainting or play dough. Our educators encourage toddlers to take this a step further and use art as a form of communication and share their thoughts and feelings through free drawing, dramatic play or dancing.
4Wellness
Fine motor skills are an important part of a child’s physical development. For younger children this is about learning to control small hand and finger muscles to successfully move, grasp and hold onto objects. In turn this leads to drawing and writing as children begin to develop the necessary muscle tone and movement to operate a range of tools such as pencils, scissors, and brushes.
5Wellbeing
Children are first taught how to label emotions and, in time, how to recognise these emotions in themselves and others. This is not only important for their emotional wellbeing, but also essential to developing social skills. Educators introduce children to emotions with interactive games, songs and interactions.
6Our World
Our centres allow children to explore and appreciate diversity by showcasing different cultures. This is achieved by pointing out and supporting children to notice the differences and similarities between themselves and others, or exploring different cultures through song, special celebrations, language or food.
7Discovery
One of the core skills that falls under this focus area, mathematics is taught through everyday experiences which prompt children to begin to recognise and understand basic mathematical concepts. Children are encouraged to pick up different items from around the centre, sort them into groups, and put them back where they belong as they learn to arrange, count, classify and compare.
As outlined in the National Quality Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework, regular assessments are essential when it comes to your child’s overall development. At Young Academics, we fulfil these requirements by setting goals with each family which are tailored to each individual child.
Each month we then plan different learning experiences to help your child reach those goals to align with their individual developmental milestones. Families are kept up-to-date on their child’s progress through regular parent/ teacher evenings and meetings, allowing you to speak one-on-one with your child’s educator. Parents will be provided with a formal developmental summary, linking it to each area in the Evolution Program and the child’s individual goals every six months.
What is Play-Based Learning?
Play-based learning is a nationally recognised approach based on child-led and open-ended play. Play-based learning allows children to learn through exploration, developing and practicing language and physical skills and experimenting with new ideas. Children build confidence, express themselves creatively, and develop their sense of self and identity.
What is the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)?
The Early Years Learning Framework is part of the Australian National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care, and describes the principles, practices and outcomes essential to your child’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, recognising the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development. There are five learning outcomes defined by the EYLF:
o Children have a strong sense of identity
o Children are connected with and contribute to their world
o Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
o Children are confident and involved learners
o Children are effective communicators
What is the National Quality Framework (NQF)?
The National Quality Standards is part of the National Quality Framework which provides for increased quality in education and care services. The Standards focus on seven quality areas that underpin quality and provide for better outcomes for children. There are:
o Educational program and practice
o Children’s health and safety
o Physical environment
o Staffing and arrangements
o Relationships with children
o Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
o Governance and leadership
How do you monitor my child’s development?
At the start of the year, our educators work in partnership with families to set goals for your child. Then, each month we plan different learning experiences to help your child reach these goals that will align with their developmental milestones. Families are kept up to date on their child’s progress though regular updates on OWNA, our family communication platform, and annual/ bi-annual parent/teacher evenings allowing you to speak one-on-one with your child’s educator and a formal developmental summary milestones and engagement.
How are families involved in their children’s learning?
Young Academics believes in inviting families to be partners in their child’s learning through enriching communication and providing experiences to extend learning at home.
The Staff are so friendly, caring and take the time to inform you of things about the children. Took me so long to find a place we loved! YA is the best everyone there is amazing!
Thank you for your care and support for our kids. They happily run off to care everyday and love to tell us all the fun that they have had during the day.
Thank you for everything you do for the children. I would like to give a big hug to all the lovely educators!
Thank you for teaching, loving & caring for my children. We appreciate all the love, kindness and help you give to our babies.
We can’t thank you enough for all the hard work you do, and it’s so appreciated.
When walking into the centre my children are always greeted with love and I am always made to feel welcome.
Thank you, Miss Carmen, for the amazing job you do in the kitchen preparing our kids meals! It’s such a challenge cooking for little ones. Jackson is beginning to eat much better now & could not stop talking about the yummy couscous & chicken dish he ate yesterday!
My son has a few medical conditions so sending him to preschool was a huge step for us and a nervous one at that, but they have made it an easy step and made us feel like family. They have done everything to make it easier for my son to fit in and I can’t thank them enough. I highly recommend them and I have gained a new family since starting with them.
My 22-month-old son attends the Penrith centre and we cannot believe the progress and changes we have seen in him already. He is saying more words, is happier and is eating and sleeping better. He warmed to the lovely teachers there very quickly and we are so impressed with the daily communication we get about his days and development. Thank you for making the experience so positive!
Thank you amazing team at Rouse Hill. There is so much positivity when you enter the centre and I can’t thank Atarah’s teachers enough for doing a fantastic job. Since she joined, the transformation has been beyond phenomenal! Atarah is thriving, and I know the team at young academics will help her to grow and be her best this coming year and prepare her well for school.
I just want to thank you and your fabulous staff for being what Harvey calls ‘his other Mummies’. The staff and the centre is second to none and I can’t recommend you enough to family and friends… It’s truly the best Daycare I’ve ever stepped foot in and I’ve seen a few! Harvey will be very sad to say goodbye.
Leaving my son at Young Academics means I never have to worry about whether or not my son is happy and well cared for. Every single team member is friendly, positive and energetic, they genuinely love their jobs. The team always have my son’s best interests at heart, and their support is unwavering. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
My husband and I needed full time day care for our son and started him at Young Academics when he was 8 months old. From the first time we walked through the Smeaton Grange complex to his orientation day, we were met with friendly faces and answers to all of our questions. We were extremely impressed with the level of care they provided. It gives us such amazing peace of mind, to know that our son is in an environment where he is comfortable, safe and enjoying his day. I cannot recommend Young Academics Smeaton Grange highly enough. They are true professionals and have my son’s best interest at heart.
The centre director and all the staff are friendly/welcoming and supportive of each other creating a positive culture and atmosphere. This is very important to me having a centre which is warm and inviting. They always greet me and have time to chat. Staff in the baby room are very nurturing and maternal. I’m very happy I chose YA, the centre is always a clean and calm environment. I feel reassured leaving my baby in their care, I know her teachers understand her and her needs.
I am so impressed by the centre here in Elderslie. The communication, professionalism and down to earth approach from the ladies here in this centre is such a breath of fresh air. The general atmosphere is really calming and relaxing which is great for all the children & parents. It’s great to know we have such a quality standard of care in a child centre here in the area.
The team at YA provide a caring and nurturing environment not only for the children attending but for the child’s entire family.We have been able to put our trust in the team to be sensitive to the needs of our child and provide the very best in care, positive health and nutrition education and an engaging curriculum. As a full time mum working, I know my son is safe , happy and having a great time each and everyday that he attends the centre. Thank you Ladies for each and every day, we love it there!
Both of my children have been going to Young Academics – Smeaton Grange for a few months now. Having moved interstate, it was a daunting experience for my girls to change centres again. All of the educators at Young Academics have been so nurturing and caring towards my children, helping them to settle into their new life here in Sydney. The centre is always beautifully presented and my children always tell me at the end of each day how much fun they have had. Thank you Young Academics for making me feel at ease when leaving my girls in your care!
Young Academics Smeaton Grange has provided my son with an avenue to thrive in his development whilst enhancing his social skills. I have always been a sceptic about day care but this centre has completely changed my view. The staff are all very accomodating and friendly and continue to make myself, my husband and my son feel very welcome. It’s nice to know that he is loved and well cared for when I’m at work. A wonderful team with an enthusiasm for young child development. They should all be commended.
As a first time parent seeking Childcare it was important that the centre that we chose would ensure that my children were safe and their social and emotional wellbeing were at the forefront of everything they did. My experiences with the centre have been beyond what I ever expected. The centre is always clean and orderly and the children’s work is proudly displayed. The staff are amazing, educators are warm, professional and genuinely love the children. The management at all levels has been supportive and attentive of my needs as a parent.
When walking into the centre my children are always greeted with love and I am always made to feel welcome.
When my children come home I can see they have had a great day and learnt so much through their singing of new songs, repeating the alphabet and learning to count.
I’ve been with them just over a year now and I’ve had no issues since day one. I want to commend the staff on the level of excellence we receive especially dealing with the manager Ivana, she has been the most understanding, helpful and just an easy person to do business with. I now live half hour away from the school and I wouldn’t change centre because I trust Toongabbie with my kids. My kids love it, I love it and I appreciate everything they’ve done for my kids and I. I would recommend them to anyone and everyone. Thank you for all your service
Young Academics Toongabbie is a second home for kids! Ms Ivana and the girls are so friendly, caring and will answer all my calls with patience, over all they are doing fantastic job. We are very content with their services and fortunate to have this day care and the lovely team. Me and my husband rank Young Academics Toongabbie 10+ out of 10. All we can say is Young Academics Toongabbie is the best.
Every morning without fail the teachers are very welcoming and make me feel at ease dropping off my daughter. I have never felt happier at any preschool the way I feel at Young Academics Merrylands. The staff are so well behaved and spoken so I know that my daughter is receiving the best attention and education before entering Kindergarten! In the afternoon when I pick Jacinta up from the centre the same staff are still happy and welcoming, and there is no better feeling as a parent to see that.
Being a brand new center was one of the reasons I first enrolled our daughter into Young Academics. After meeting the friendly staff, I had no reason but to believe that she would be well looked after. Although she only attended a couple of days a week, she had fun learning, loved the staff and became school ready. This gave us no hesitation in enrolling our son, who too is enjoying his time more and more each day.
I was quite apprehensive to change from family day care to a centre-based day care, but the staff at YA Elderslie have put all my concerns to rest. My 17 month old son has the best time there and the staff genuinely care for the children. Photos I receive on the OWNA app just make my day. It’s obvious that the staff really interact with the children. I am so happy and comfortable to leave my son with these amazing people
The staff and facilities at YA have exceeded our expectations. The staff greet us each morning with a big smile! The meals are nutritious and the menu is diverse and I find our children eating foods they wouldn’t normally consider trying at home. I’ve seen a positive change in our children and their confidence has grown, they look forward to attending each day. As a working parent, you want to know they are happy and well cared for and we feel fortunate to have found a centre that is able to meet our families needs.
From the moment I walked into Young Academics Elderslie I knew we were meant to be here. I have 3 children attending and the quality of care we receive from each educator exceeds any place we have been to. Nothing is too much trouble for the centre manager, and everyone above has been amazing. My children enjoy the tasty and healthy menu, the large variety of arts and crafts, the learning experiences offered and the very exciting and engaging outdoors. Thank you YA Elderslie you have been a wonderful asset to my children’s learning.
WITH YOUR CHILD
OWNA is a safe, secure and private way for you to stay in touch with Young Academics while your child is in our care. We use this app to share news, events, photos and videos about your child – all in real-time.
OWNA also offers insights and updates into your child’s progress and developmental milestones. Through the OWNA app, you can ask questions or comment on your child’s learning, creating a meaningful relationship with our educators.
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child care programs which spark curiosity in your child.
