Why Stepping Stones?
At Stepping Stones Early Learning Centres, we take pride in being Australian family owned and operated, with a deep commitment to placing our children and families at the core of our centres. Our mission is to provide quality education and care that supports children’s learning and development from infancy through to school age.
Our dedicated and qualified staff are passionate about delivering the highest standard of education and care. We believe in investing in both our environment and our educators to ensure they can effectively support your child’s growth and development, empowering them to thrive and reach their full potential.
We embrace a holistic approach to teaching and learning, going beyond the traditional classroom setting. Our comprehensive services offer a diverse range of educational programs and extracurricular activities aimed at enriching your child’s learning experiences. Our goal is to create lasting memories for your child while nurturing their curiosity, creativity, and love for learning.
Educational Program
Our educational programs are thoughtfully crafted in alignment with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), tailored to meet the unique needs and developmental milestones of each child.
Our dedicated educators collaborate closely to design programs that cater to every child’s individual learning journey. By recognising and embracing the diverse ways in which children learn, we ensure that each child progresses towards the learning outcomes outlined in the EYLF.
Through a combination of structured activities, play-based learning, and hands-on experiences, we provide a supportive environment where children can explore, discover, and grow at their own pace. Our goal is to foster a love for learning while laying a strong foundation for future success, ensuring that each child reaches their full potential in their own meaningful way.
Meals & Nutrition
We’ve partnered with Kids Gourmet Food to provide a comprehensive meal service for all children in our care. From breakfast to afternoon tea, children enjoy a variety of nutritious and delicious meals prepared with high-quality, fresh ingredients.
Kids Gourmet Food follows a 6-week rotating menu, ensuring that children are exposed to a diverse range of flavours and textures while meeting the latest nutritional guidelines for children in care. Whether it’s breakfast, morning tea, lunch, or afternoon tea, every meal is thoughtfully crafted to support children’s growth and development.
We understand that dietary needs vary, which is why Kids Gourmet Food caters to children with food allergies, intolerances, and cultural requirements. Our goal is to provide meals that not only nourish the body but also delight the taste buds, creating a positive dining experience for every child in our care.
Health & Hygiene
We understand the importance of ensuring your child’s comfort and well-being throughout the day. That’s why we provide a range of essentials to meet their toileting and hygiene needs.
Each day, we supply children with nappies, wipes, cream, insect repellent, and sunscreen, ensuring they have everything they need for a comfortable and enjoyable day. Additionally, children are provided with hats and bedding, which are laundered at the service to maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards.
Our daily routine is designed to prioritise your child’s toileting and hygiene needs, with dedicated times set aside for nappy changes, toilet breaks, and hand washing. By following a consistent routine, we ensure that your child’s needs are consistently met, allowing them to focus on learning and play in a safe and nurturing environment.
Safe & Secure Premises
The safety and security of our children is paramount. We maintain rigorous security measures to ensure that each child is safely cared for during their time with us.
To safeguard our premises, we have implemented systems for the safe arrival and departure of children. This includes a secure door code system that restricts unauthorised access to our facilities, providing peace of mind to parents and caregivers.
In addition, we employ 24-hour CCTV cameras to monitor and record entryways, building exteriors, and common areas. This allows us to maintain constant vigilance over our premises, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all children and staff.
By prioritising security and implementing robust measures, we strive to provide parents and caregivers with the confidence that their children are well-protected while in our care.
Extracurricular Activities
We understand the demands of modern family life, which is why we offer a range of extracurricular activities designed to accommodate busy schedules. We collaborate with sports and fitness clinics to bring tailored programs directly to our service, allowing children to participate in enriching activities without the need for additional time commitments from families.
Engaging in extracurricular activities not only supports the development of physical skills but also fosters vital social and emotional growth. Through these activities, children have the opportunity to interact with peers, build confidence, and learn valuable teamwork and communication skills. Additionally, trying new activities inspires curiosity and a sense of adventure, encouraging children to explore their interests and expand their horizons.
By offering extracurricular activities within our program, we aim to make it easier for families to access these valuable opportunities while providing children with a well-rounded and enriching educational experience.
Staying Connected
We are committed to keeping families connected and informed about their child’s learning journey. In addition to our open-door policy, we have developed the Stepping Stones (SS) app to enhance communication and engagement between families and our service.
The SS app is user-friendly and convenient, allowing families to stay connected in real-time. With the app, families can easily write messages, share photos, and videos, providing a glimpse into their child’s day and fostering a sense of connection even when apart.
Furthermore, the app provides families with access to important information about their child’s daily activities, including eating, rest, and toileting. This transparency allows families to stay informed and involved in their child’s routine, promoting a collaborative approach to their care and development.
By utilising the SS app, we strive to create a supportive and inclusive community where families feel empowered to actively participate in their child’s early learning journey.
Events
We believe in creating a strong sense of community and belonging for our children and families. That’s why we host a variety of events throughout the year that reflect occasions significant to our community.
From seasonal celebrations to cultural festivals, our events are thoughtfully planned and catered by our service. These gatherings provide opportunities for families to come together, connect, and celebrate in a warm and inclusive environment.
We welcome and encourage family involvement and participation in all our events. Whether it’s joining in on the festivities, volunteering to help organise activities, or simply sharing in the joy of the occasion, every contribution helps foster a sense of unity and togetherness within our community.
By hosting these events, we aim to strengthen relationships, build connections, and create lasting memories for our children and families, enriching their experience at Stepping Stones.
Educators
Our educators are the heart and soul of our child-centred service philosophy. Each member of our team is deeply passionate about their role and holds personal and educational values that align with our commitment to nurturing and supporting every child’s growth and development.
We believe in empowering our educators to thrive in their roles by providing them with the support, resources, and opportunities they need to excel. This includes investing in their personal and professional development, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the highest quality of care and education.
We recognise the importance of prioritising our educators’ well-being, understanding that their positive energy and enthusiasm are essential for delivering the best outcomes for children and families. By fostering a supportive and nurturing work environment, we create a culture where our educators feel valued, respected, and motivated to make a difference every day.
Through our unwavering commitment to our educators’ growth and well-being, we strive to create a team of dedicated professionals who are empowered to create meaningful and enriching experiences for every child and family at Stepping Stones.
Management
We believe in the importance of clear communication and defined roles to ensure the effective operation of our services. That’s why all staff members have clearly defined roles and responsibilities that contribute to the overall success of our Services.
Our non-contact Services Manager oversees the operational aspects of our services, ensuring smooth day-to-day functioning. The Office Administrator provides essential support in managing administrative tasks, including enrolment, billing, and communication with families.
Our Educational Leader and Mentor play a crucial role in guiding and supporting our educators in their professional development. They provide mentorship, training, and resources to help educators excel in their roles and deliver the highest quality of education and care to children and families.
By having dedicated individuals in these key roles, we ensure that our educators, children, and families receive the support they need to thrive. Together, we work collaboratively to uphold our commitment to providing the highest standards of education and care at Stepping Stones.