At Sage, we understand that finding the right centre for your child can be an overwhelming task. There is so much to consider and so many questions you would like to ask. We understand that one area that parents are keen to learn about is their child’s safety at the centre.

Child Safety is our number one priority and is a consideration in everything we do at Sage. Here is how your child’s safety is embedded in our environment and our practices:

Children love to play. Play is often seen as the work of childhood or our brain’s favourite way of learning.

As educators and parents, it’s important to understand the value of play In relation to children’s development and learning. Understanding that play is not simply leisure, fun or amusement separate from learning or a distraction from learning. Play is so much more and essentially the building blocks for lifelong learning.

At Sage, we understand that starting your child in care is a significant milestone for families. It can be an exciting time with your child starting their educational journey, but it can also be emotionally challenging. You may be wondering.. Am I making the right choice?.. will my child be okay without me?.. Will my child make friends? All of these questions are natural for parents to wonder when starting their child in a new early childhood environment.

The first day of Kindergarten is just around the corner. While this is a great time to relax and enjoy some fun family time, it is also a good time to start preparing for your child’s first year at school.

Here are some tips to help prepare your little one for a happy first day of school and to also help prepare yourself with this exciting transition.

Dropping off your child in care can be a difficult time for both child and parents. For newly enrolled families joining our Sage family, the first stage of your child settling into care is a big step. It is natural for both child and parent to need some time to adjust to a new routine, new faces and a new environment.

Please know that the thoughts and feelings you have are okay and we are here to support you all the way.

Here are some drop off tips we would like to share:

Kindergarten Pretend Play:

Set up a room in the house to look like a classroom. You can include tables and chairs and a whiteboard. This can also be done with dolls and toy furniture. Your child can take turns being a teacher and also a student. Dolls can take on these roles as well. Practice everyday school routines during play such as storytime, lining up, sharing news, putting your hand up to answer questions. This activity will support your child to become familiar with the school experience in preparation for experiencing it in real life.

Children can begin to learn about positive values from a young age by observing the adults around them. Role modelling good values and engaging children in meaningful conversation can support children’s early spiritual and moral development. Role modelling consistently for children can be challenging for adults, but often its these challenges that are great to discuss with your child teaching them that its okay to acknowledge mistakes and we can always strive to improve.

The following values are important to start teaching in early childhood:

In an early childhood setting, Storytime can be one of the most exciting times of the day. It is a time for a teacher to invite the children over to a comfortable space where they can escape the realities of the day and dive into the experience of the story. Storytime is an opportunity for bonding, creativity and imagination. A shared experience that can support children’s social, emotional, cognitive and language development. Most importantly, a fun and engaging Storytime experience is a powerful tool in supporting a child’s lifelong love of reading.