Thrive Early Learning Centre - North Gosford (Koolyangarra)

The educators at Thrive Early Learning Centres offer a secure and safe environment where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are explored, and discovery is celebrated. The educators understand that every child is unique, and work alongside families to tailor every part of the children’s experience from their learning style to dietary requirements. 

The team places great value on culture, whether it be a family’s cultural background, their family traditions and practices or languages spoken. They believe that it is important for children, families and educators to feel connected to the service, that their culture is reflected in their experience, that they belong. This information is collected during orientation and from conversations with families, communication from the educators, regular menu reviews to ensure they reflect the cultures within the service, participation in cultural celebrations, offering resources (such as books, dolls, music) that reflect the community’s cultures.

Community connection is a huge part of the culture at Thrive. The educators help the children to develop relationships within their local communities. This is achieved through visits from local firefighters or police; taking trips to the local supermarket; working on a project with a local primary school; or making connections with Indigenous groups in the area.

The educators offer orientation visits for new children to the service, which tend to involve a minimum of three 45 minute sessions with their parent or guardian present. 

Educators communicate with families in person as well as through the centre app, where they can maintain contact with their children’s experiences through photos, stories and learning outcomes.

Thrive Early Learning Centres utilise the KinderM8 platform to facilitate communication between the centre and families. Parents receive real-time updates, photos and videos on their child's activities throughout the day. The platform also features a digital check-in system, a messaging feature, and a calendar for viewing upcoming events and important dates.

Thrive centres its community around collaboration, diversity, and celebration. It holds various events such as Open Days, fundraisers, and family gatherings to bring families and the community together.