Oak Park Children's Centre

At Oak Park Children’s Centre, the children enjoy additional programs with specialist teachers coming into the centre as part of the daily fee. Some of the programs include: 

• Music and movement
• Sport 
• Art 
• Science / STEM  
• Bush kinder
• School readiness program
• Languages 
• Mindfulness, yoga and wellbeing. 
• Cooking

The curriculum at Oak Park Children’s Centre is underpinned by the National Early Years Learning Framework and inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. The Reggio Emilia Approach views young children as curious about the world around them and as capable and confident individuals. 

There are five light filled classrooms and separate sleep rooms for the younger children to rest throughout the day. The natural outdoor playspaces allow children to connect with nature, play with water and sand, climb on rocks, tree stumps and tyres, grow plants for smelling and tasting, observe insects, animals and birds, nurture and observe worm farms and compost areas, hide away in a teepee and much much more.

The children are cared for in the following rooms: 

Nursery 

The educators encourage strong relationships with the children through positive interactions and safe environments. Children will be cherished and supported to be their best selves. An indoor, outdoor program ensures children get maximum outdoor time and encourages physical development, mental wellbeing, and health. Daily mindfulness will set the tone for developing emotional regulation and encouraging relaxation for children throughout the day. 

The children take part in activities with a strong emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and the arts such as music, creative arts and drama. Indigenous culture is embedded into the program and children are encouraged to bring their home culture into the centre too. 

Toddlers

For the toddlers, routines are an important opportunity for learning. Performing daily, predictable tasks while having fun is a chance for young Kookas to build their self-confidence, communication and social skills and the ability to develop their self-control.

Each day’s rhythmic routine assists the children to transition between activities. The educators believe that if children can anticipate the next part of their day, they can participate at their best. There are natural, sensory rich play spaces with natural materials, water play and a natural garden with large trees for this young age to explore. The activities are designed for children to develop their self identity, awareness, physical strength and hand eye coordination.

Each week, specialist teachers run classes for the children to enhance the learning programs as well as take part in routine outings into the local community.

3 years - 4 years

This room offers children a mix of indoor and outdoor play.  Research shows that children engaged in quality play-based experiences are more likely to have well-developed memory skills, language development and can regulate their behaviour, supporting the transition to school and academic learning later on in life.

The curriculum is driven by a project and investigation approach to learning where the children’s ideas, interests, theories and voices are heard and explored. 

The goal is to assist children in their growth and development, by participating in group time focused on the current project and investigation, maths, literacy, Italian, STEM, drama and culture.  They also work with the specialist teachers  that run classes for the children, as well as taking part in routine outings into the local community.

4 years - 5 years

This room is for the children who will be preparing to go to school the following year. The programs are all about a guided choice for children, following a Reggio Emilia approach. 

Through the daily curriculum, children are provided with plenty of learning experiences ensuring that they have opportunities to participate in teacher initiated and play-based activities that are responsive to their needs, interests, and choices. This includes STEM, literacy, drama, Spanish, creative arts, gardening and outdoor play. 

Literacy,  phonics and numeracy programs give children the chance to develop fundamental skills before they head off to school. They enjoy the visits from the specialist teachers who come and run classes to enhance the learning programs,  as well as take part in routine outings into the local community.

At Oak Park Children’s Centre, the children are provided with fresh, nutritious and creative meals that expose them to the broadest range of flavours, textures, ingredients and cultures.

The centre’s chef uses high-quality, fresh ingredients and a broad range of flavours to create meals that meet and exceed the latest nutritional guidelines for children in care. The menus also offer a wide selection of fresh fruit and raw vegetables with morning and afternoon tea, as well as steamed, fresh vegetables at lunchtime. As an allergy aware centre, the educators are equipped to accommodate any dietary requirement.