4 Sep 2024

Big Bear Academy North Rocks – NEW Early Learning Centre for 3-6 Year Olds

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It can be challenging to find a peaceful and serene location for an early learning centre, but Big Bear Academy North Rocks is a NEW Early Learning Centre for kids 3-6 and they have truly hit the jackpot. Newly opened in August 2024, Big Bear Academy is nestled along the bush behind the Uniting Church, offering a level of tranquillity that’s hard to come by. The centre is run by owner Andrew and his experienced team, who have a proven track record with their other centres in St Andrews and Macquarie Fields, ensuring exceptional care.

Big Bear Academy provides long-day services from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, for children aged 3 to 6 years.

Big Bear Academy Points of Difference

  • Only full-time highly qualified educators with Early Childhood Teaching degrees or Diplomas
  • Bespoke centre which only takes 24 children
  • Significantly higher educator-to-child ratio. NSW ratio is 1:10, Big Bear Academy maintains a 1:5 ratio, meaning twice as many educators as needed
  • Due to the size of the service, there is an ability to customise the program to your child’s interests and needs
  • Only closed on public holidays
  • Beautiful outdoor spaces are used as a second classroom
  • Incursions paid for by the service (e.g. nutrition magician, hatching chicks, creature feature, African beats)
  • Exceeding school readiness program and comprehensive curriculum
  • Focused on preschool and school readiness 

Outdoor Spaces

The outdoor space at Big Bear Academy is split into two distinct areas, both giving off a calm and relaxing vibe, which we felt on our visit. We loved how the mature trees provide beautiful shade, making it feel even more serene. There’s also a shade sail over the sandpit, which doesn’t get much shade from the trees just yet.

The first area has a mini track with trikes, hula hoops, soccer balls, nets, a chalkboard, and benches and tables for reading.

The second area features a big sandpit, a water play creek (turned on when the weather’s right), and lots of imaginative play options like a teepee and balance logs. There’s also a slide, balancing blocks, benches and tables for free play with big building blocks or safari animals, and a seating/reading bench that wraps around a large tree. When we visited in late winter, the tree wasn’t in bloom, but it’s easy to see how lovely it’ll be in warmer weather. There’s also a big free-play area and lots of other equipment that gets rotated regularly.

Daily Costs and Inclusions:

The daily fee is $150, which covers nappies, wipes (as needed), sunscreen, and all meals, including fresh fruit.

Additionally, the fee includes an extensive STEM program.

During our visit, we observed two key STEM activities: children were growing seeds in cotton in Petri dishes, and they were using celery in coloured water for a science experiment. The seed activity was sparked by a child’s curiosity about plant growth—what a great example of how the centre tailors learning experiences to a child’s interests!

The fee also includes:

  • Incursions paid for by the service, such as Ready Steady Go Kids, a nutrition magician, hatching chicks, creature feature, and African Beats
  • A dedicated School Readiness Program that supports the whole child, focusing on numeracy, literacy, gross and fine motor skills, social interactions, self-help skills, and building confidence
  • A Bush kindy program
  • Daily updates
  • Regularly rotated and replenished resources aimed at school readiness

The Details

Big Bear Academy North Rocks NEW Early Learning Centre for kids 3-6 offers convenient parking alongside the centre, behind the church. As an added bonus, they’re only closed on public holidays!

THIS IS A SPONSORED ARTICLE