Thrive Early Learning Centre - Blakehurst

At Thrive Early Learning Centre Blakehurst the children take part in extracurricular programs including: 

French language program

Bonjour Babies is a fun and interactive program that teaches little ones the basics of the French language. Research shows that early exposure to a second language facilitates growth and integration of the developing brain, leading to improved cognitive functioning and superior reading, writing, analytical and even social skills.

Sports program

The centre uses the GrowFit sports program, where children take part in fun activities that assist with their health education and gross motor development, as well as promoting positive health awareness and knowledge. The children can strengthen both mind and body, whilst developing self-confidence and personal motivation.

At Thrive Early Learning Centre Blakehurst, the focus is on the following curriculum pillars, in the context of relationships, experiences and the environment:

Socially Thriving

Structured play helps children develop crucial interpersonal and communication skills. The centre has created environments in which children experience mutually caring and respectful relationships with their peers whilst also developing independence, resilience and confidence within themselves.

To support children’s learning, educators promote trusting relationships, safe environments and respect for all aspects of a child’s physical, emotional, social, cognitive, linguistic, creative and spiritual being.

Academically Thriving

Children acquire a range of skills which develops fundamental critical thinking and language skills. The educators shape confident and enthusiastic learners by implementing learning which encourages problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesizing, researching and investigating.

Ecologically Thriving

Educators promote learning opportunities in which children exercise respect, care and an appreciation for the natural environment. All Thrive centres use rainwater tanks to enable the watering of garden beds in a sustainable way.

Physically Thriving

A child’s wellbeing incorporates both physical and psychological aspects which are integral to self-confidence. The Thrive educators promote learning experiences which encourage healthy lifestyles, including nutrition, personal hygiene, physical health and social relationships which contribute to a child’s concentration and participation in play and learning.

School Readiness and Pre-Kinder Program

The children are taught the skills to learn effectively, take on new challenges with confidence and have a sense of belonging to the wider community. The educators prepare the children for reading, writing and arithmetic through their everyday activities at Thrive. The program teaches them to become familiar with the school environment and associated routines, tasks, rules and expectations within that environment. It helps them to develop a positive self-esteem, motor skills, cooperative skills, listening skills and the social skills needed to thrive at school.

The educators at Thrive Early Learning Centre Blakehurst 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.

The team at Thrive Early Learning Centre Blakehurst are part of the NSW Health’s Munch & Move program. This play-based initiative supports the healthy development of children by promoting physical activity, healthy eating and encourages limiting small screen recreation through six positive, health promoting key messages. 

Establishing sound eating and activity habits from an early age gives children the best chance of leading a healthy life and maintaining a healthy weight. Munch & Move supports the NSW Government’s priority of preventing childhood overweight and obesity.