“Our programs are play based aimed with knowledge that children learn best when provided with opportunities and environments to freely engage with the world around them in pursuit of their own interests and curiosities. The classroom environments are full of innovative and original activities that allow children time and space to explore and learn. Early Childhood Services are a platform in which children can practice the skills required for their futures such as friendships, exploring and understanding emotions and ultimately discovering their own footprint within the broader community.”
“We are so happy we have found Play and Learn Crestmead. Our son really enjoys going to kindy each and everyday. The staff are always kind and friendly and nothing is too much trouble for them to do. I love receiving daily updates on how my child’s day has been, and love the bonds he has built with all the educators at the centre. The Director is always approachable to discuss any issues and also all the Educators at the centre. Being a working parent it makes it easy to drop my child off everyday knowing he will be so well cared for . We are so glad we have found Play and Learn Crestmead, we wouldn’t send him anywhere else.”
“The process of elimination began with the first visit. Not only was the first visit to Play and Learn pleasant and inviting, but once I entered the building I noticed all of the teachers greeting each child and parent by name, with attention given to each child.
The Director Rachael answered all of my many questions and once we did drop him off the first day, she was there, assuring us that our son would be OK and that we could call her anytime to see how he was doing. And, she meant it. Anytime I called, she would check in on him and let me know how he was doing, and what he was doing – that extra bit of information gave it that special touch. She took that extra step.
Thank you… For the great communication from the very start – I can’t count the amount of centers I called and visit trying to find quality and affordable daycare for my son Arlo, Rachael was quick to contact me back and took the time to talk me through the learning and development ethos behind Play and Learn which was very much in line with my parenting beliefs.
Our first visit to the center was great fun and my son didn’t want to leave, in fact ended up going back for three visits! Rachael put my mind at ease by calling me mid-morning to let me know my little cherub was fine and enjoying himself which was exactly what I needed.
Arlo has come out of Play and Learn Crestmead with a boosted self confidence, improved social skills and incredible manners – a parent’s delight! Along with newly found skills Arlo has made some great friends along the way and have absolutely fallen in love with all the career at Play and Learn.”
“I would just like to say a big thank you to the staff at Play and Learn Crestmead for the love and care you show our beautiful daughters each and everyday. I could not be happier with each of their development over the last year . It’s lovely to be sent emails daily showing me what they girls have been up to and photos of them living their best lives each day. Every morning and afternoon without fail we are greeted with a smile and a warm hello. It’s comforting to know that while we are working our girls are enjoying their days with their friends and being shown nothing but love from all the educators. The ladies at Play and Learn aren’t just our daughters’ teachers they are like family, always there for us no matter what is going on in our lives. Our eldest is off to prep next year and all she wanted was to take miss Kaitlyn with her, this just shows the love she has for her and all the other staff members. So thankyou to all the ladies at Play and Learn you make it easier being a working mum knowing they are in such good care each and everyday.”
Our Crestmead Infant care room is licensed for 8 infants with 2 permanently employed educators.
Experience with infants over the years has taught us that sometimes babies are not predictable and a third educator may be employed to assist with the room.
Several factors will be considered in determining when three educators will work in this group they include;
Our main focus in the room is forming secure attachments with your baby. Secure attachments and trust develop when we respond consistently, sensitively and confidently. Our attachment however will not affect your babies’ attachment to you – it helps them be close to people.
Current research very clearly tells us that babies who experience any care that is unresponsive, unpredictable or threatening may develop problems developing trust and attachment, this often affects a child’s overall development.
Crestmead Toddler room is licensed for 12 children with 3 permanently employed educators.
Settling children is again our main focus in this age grouping as now children are very aware when their primary caregivers have left.
Anxious and stressed children find it difficult to learn anything so bonding and establishing relationships with your child is vitally important.
Our Toddlers have many opportunities to join in fun and educational experiences throughout the day. Informing us about what your Toddler loves to do helps us to plan for the transition from home to the centre.
Toddlers are developmentally egocentric. So helping Toddlers understand that there are other children in the group who may want to play with the same trucks is really tricky!! In helping this we deliberately set up our environments with multiple equipment that is the same or similar. Having one off pieces of equipment sets children up for challenges. However not everything can be avoided and nor should it, our educators are skilled in helping Toddlers learn life’s social skills.
Similarly, your child’s sensory motor development is vitally important. The Toddlers years see rapid growth in your child’s sensory motor systems and it is these systems that provide your child with the foundations for academic learning.
Crestmead Play and Learn Kindy rooms cater for children 2-4 yrs, we have two Kindy rooms.
2 Jnr Kindy rooms, each licensed for 15 children aged approx. 2.5 yrs – 3 yrs with 3 permanently employed educators per room and
1 Senior Kindy room which is licensed for 22 children aged approx. 3 yrs – 4 yrs with 2 permanently employed staff.
The service will be flexible with age groupings to meet the needs of our children our families and the community.
Remaining flexible with age grouping allows for children of the same family to be together or children who are friends to remain together while settling.
Within this age group our educators are planning activities that develop the integrations of two brain hemispheres, fine hand co-ordination, sense of direction, awareness of time and many other really important areas of development.
So often we hear parents say “When will they learn their colours, their numbers and letters” and although this is somewhat important they ARE NOT the markers for a child’s ongoing success and later learning. What I mean is a child may be able to recite the alphabet but unable to sit for a story or problem solve with peers.
Our service looks at children holistically across many areas of development some that cannot be seen nor measured nor sent home on a piece of paper but please note we are always thinking planning and evaluating all that we do.
Our Crestmead Pre-prep room is our Approved Kindergarten program led by our Early Childhood Teacher.
The room is licenced for 22 children with 1 Teacher and 1 Assistant and children in this room who are then moving to Prep will be 4yrs old by June 30th.
Let’s get ready for Prep …….not really at Crestmead!! What??? What is being ready anyway? It will be so different for each child and each family. So often parents rely on markers such as knowing colours and letters as being school ready and that could not be further than the truth.
Prep teachers often tell us that if a child can look after their own belongings at school they will be eternally grateful…. But that doesn’t sound as glamorous at the end of the day does it…. “Oh...by the way your Billy put his pencil in the pencil holder today” said NO Teacher ever…..but at Play and Learn Crestmead those life skills are just as important as learning our colours.
Our kindergarten program is based on the Queensland Curriculum guidelines and a copy can be found at
www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/kindergarten/curriculum
We look at children holistically and our programs are play centered – (hence our name) Block play, games, puzzles, arts and crafts, dress ups, dancing, stories and singing are just a few things your child will enjoy.
Fun environments ensure that children learn best. When children are pressured to rote learn, recite and spend long periods of being directed and lectured by adults learning actually becomes far more difficult. When it happens naturally driven by children interests it has greater meaning and therefore retained more easily.
Group Name | Age | Daily Fee |
---|---|---|
Infants & Toddlers | 6wks - 2yrs | $113/day |
Junior Kindy | 2yrs - 3yrs | $113/day |
Kindy & Pre Prep | 3yrs - 5yrs | $113/day |
Our 3rd Birthday/Dentist Visit
Chinese New Year
Australia Day
Australia Day Public Holiday
Waitangi Day
Valentine's Day
Random Act of Kindness Day
Clean Up Australia Day/ World Wildlife Day
International Woman’s Day/ Holi Festival
St Patrick’s Day
NO Bullying Day
Harmony Day
Autism Awareness Day
Easter Activities (3rd - 6th)
Family Easter Afternoon Tea
Easter Public Holidays (7th & 10th)
ANZAC Day Public Holiday
ANZAC Day
Labour Day Public Holiday
Mother’s Day Morning Tea
National Storytime Day/ Biggest Morning Tea
National Sorry Day
World Environment Day
Ocean Day
Make Music Day
NAIDOC Week (3rd - 7th)
National Pyjama Day
Crazy Hair Day
Jeans 4 Genes Day
Science Week (14th - 18th)
EKKA Public Holiday
Red Nose Day
Book Week (21st - 25th)
Daffodil Day
Father’s Day Afternoon Tea
Early Childhood Educator’s Day
R U OK Day
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
King’s Birthday Public Holiday
Space Week (4th - 10th)
Grandparents Afternoon Tea
Nutrition Week (16th - 20th)
Loud Shirt Day
National Recycling Week (6th - 10th)
Remembrance Day
Diwali
Steve Irwin Day
Christmas Program Begins
Graduation & Christmas Party (TBA)
Christmas Holiday Centre Closure (25th - 1st Jan)
Get in touch with the team at Play and Learn to discuss our range of service options and how we could be the best fit for your child today!