We were invited to tour Nought to Five Early Childhood Centre, a not-for-profit community-based facility in Macquarie Park, and share with you our findings!
Located at 16 Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park (opposite The Governor Hotel), it’s open from 7:15am to 6pm for 50 weeks a year.
As a not-for-profit childcare (not many of which exist..!), Nought to Five is managed by a parent committee – they make all major decisions (legal, financial, employment, planning, policy, etc), however they employ a Centre Director to manage the centre on a day-to-day basis and supervise staff. We met the director, the lovely Hannah, and we were amazed to find out that she herself was a student at Nought To Five as a child, while her mother worked as an educator! HOW BEAUTIFUL!
Another interesting fact to note is that Nought to Five holds the distinction of being the first work-based childcare centre established in Australia back in 1977, and has been in its current location since 1998.
The Premises
The inviting premises offers a warm, safe and secure environment and includes a security-coded entrance, air-conditioning, large open rooms and excellent resources.
The centre boasts three well-equipped rooms tailored to different age groups:
- Babies (0-2), accommodating 15 children daily
- Toddlers (2-3.5), with a capacity for 20 children per day
- Preschoolers (3-5), designed for 33 children daily.
Their lovely natural outdoor setting is very spacious and includes multiple areas for kids to enjoy including grassed areas, sandpits, swing set, bike tracks and established trees and shrubs. All of this comes together to create an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere with lots of opportunities for exploration and imaginative play.
Staff
The centre is very proud of its impressive staff longevity, with several members employed for over 5, 10, and even 20 years. This even includes some staff who attended the centre as a child!
They are also proud to share that each room maintains staff ratios exceeding regulatory requirements, with 5 educators in every room, including qualified Early Childhood Teachers.
In addition to that, staff are employed for an extra 30 minutes before and after operational hours to sure they have time to properly set up and pack down for the day and meet with each other to discuss important messages.
Community Focus
Nought to Five takes pride in its long-standing presence in the North Ryde / Macquarie Park community and has embraced its role as a community hub where children, families, and staff collaborate to provide the best early education experiences.
The centre actively engages in ongoing updates, reviews, and reflections on its practices to ensure alignment with the evolving needs of the community.
Emphasising relationships with children and families, Nought to Five encourages active family involvement in the program and looks forward to continually delivering high-quality services for years to come.
Learning Program
Nought to Five’s learning program is designed to tap into children’s innate curiosity and foster their love for learning, paving the way for lifelong educational journeys by offering a choice of experiences created with children’s needs and interests in mind, and by making learning an enjoyable experience. Aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework, the curriculum actively involves families, ensuring their input shapes the learning experiences.
Each day, the centre incorporates various activities, including group times, munch and move sessions, as well as art, music, and cultural experiences.
The program reflects the centre’s philosophy and is intricately woven with the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework. Family involvement is not only encouraged but valued, guiding curriculum decision-making and enhancing the understanding of each child.
Nought to Five Early Childhood Centre know that to learn, children first need a welcoming and positive space that helps children grow in every way possible way.
Fees
In terms of fees, the centre charges
- $162 per day for the Baby Room
- $160 per day for the Toddler Room
- $157 per day for the Preschool Room
Fee’s include a nutritious morning tea, lunch, dessert, and afternoon tea provided by Kids Gourmet Food, and sunscreen.
Details
Address: 16 Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park
Email: childcare@noughttofive.com.au
Website: https://noughttofive.com.au
Hours: 7.15am – 6pm
THIS IS A SPONSORED ARTICLE
