UWS Early Learning Blacktown Child Care Centre

Centre Philosphy

Here at UWS Early Learning Blacktown we believe that all children despite their cultural, religious, socio economic, etc. background have the right to be educated and cared for in an environment that supports and caters to their needs and in an environment where educators support, encourage, instill confidence and care for each and every child that is enrolled at the centre. 

UWS Early Learning Blacktown is a 38 place Long Day Care Centre with a commitment in providing quality care for children. The Centre endeavours to reflect the diverse needs of the Educational Precinct and the wider community in which it is located.

The Centre values the uniqueness of each child, within the context of their family and culture, and aims to create a positive, caring environment for those who attend and work in the Centre.

UWSEL Blactown is licensed by the Department of Education and Care and adheres to other associated agencies in the provision of quality care for children.

Our Centre has developed policies and procedures which reflect our Philosophy. These policies are reviewed and updated regularly to encompass change in community needs.

In Respect of Children

We Believe:

• Children’s early learning influences their life chances and that the early childhood years are the formative years for young children.
• Children are unique due to their diverse experiences, perspectives, expectations, knowledge and skills. This is reflected through their differing talents, skills, capabilities and aspirations.
• Children’s learning is dynamic, complex and holistic.
• Children are an integral part of a family unit.
• Developmental play is an essential and appropriate avenue for learning.
• Children need to feel safe, secured and supported in the feel confident in exploring the environment and to support them in becoming strong in their social and emotional well being.
• Children learn best when the experiences are based on their interests and where they have an opportunity to explore their environment at their own pace.
• All children demonstrate their learning in different ways.
• That children are social beings who are intrinsically motivated to exchange ideas, thoughts, questions and feelings, and to use a range of tools and media, including music, dance and drama, to express themselves, connect with others and extend their learning.

In Respect of Families

We Recognise:

• The family is the primary influence in a child life.
• The diverse backgrounds of families who utilise the service and encourage the sharing of these cultural diversities.
• That children benefit from positive partnerships between staff and families.
• That open communication helps to build positive supportive relationships between families and the Centre.
• The importance of valuing all families, respecting all traditions and embracing cultural celebrations.
• And we honour the histories, cultures, languages, traditions, child rearing practices and lifestyle choices of families.
• That all families should feel relaxed and supported and feel a sense of belonging when at the centre.
• The importance of staff and family partnerships as we know that children thrive when families and educators work together in partnership to support young children’s learning.
• Acknowledge and pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people and recognise that they play and important role in our countries history. We aim to promote a greater sense and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and being.
• To endeavour at all times to form and maintain positive and trusting reciprocal relationships with all families.

In Respect of the Centre Program

Our educational play based and interest based programs are guided by the Early Years Learning Framework outcomes and principles. The programs are designed to assist each child to build and develop at their own pace with guidance and support by all educators.

We Believe:

• Children learn and develop at an individual rate with their own strengths, needs and interests.
• Children need to feel both secure and challenged within their learning environment.
• Maintaining individual records and utilising knowledge of child development enables developmentally appropriate learning environments.
• Our centre embraces Australia’s multicultural society and endeavour to educate the children by raising their awareness of and respect for cultural differences, religious beliefs and for acceptance of these difference. We do this by providing incorporating a cross-cultural anti-bias approach to programming.
• Our program should support children to become happy, confident, well equipped and involved learners.
• The children’s voice should be reflected within the centre programs by means of their ideas, thoughts and suggestions.
• That the Children actively construct their own understandings and contribute to others’ learning.
• Educators should be responsive to children’s ideas and play, which form an important basis for curriculum decision-making.
• Educators should use a variety of strategies to collect, document, organise, synthesise and interpret the information that they gather to assess children’s learning.

In Respect of Educators

We Believe:

• Educators should respect each other’s experiences, knowledge and contributions.
• In seeking constructive practical solutions to problems.
• In acknowledging the individuality of each educator and accept their right to hold differing points of view.
• And value how each of the educator’s unique backgrounds and beliefs can add different dimensions to children’s learning. 
• Our educators are committed to providing the best quality care to all children.
• Our Educators act as advocates for children and the early childhood profession, Educators promote the rights of all children.
• Our educators aim to establish respectful and caring relationships with children and families, they acknowledge that when they are able to work together they are able  to construct curriculum and learning experiences relevant to children in their local context.
• Our educators give priority to nurturing relationships and providing children with consistent emotional support to assist children to develop the skills and understandings they need to interact positively with others.
• That educators who are attuned to children’s thoughts and feelings, support the development of a strong sense of wellbeing.
• Opportunities for professional development should be provided to staff and staff should continually seek ways to build their professional knowledge and develop learning to build on and expand their knowledge and skills, This ensures educators continually build on their knowledge keeping up to date with current practices and theories as they become co-learners with children, families and the community.
• Educators must constantly reflect on their practices as individuals and their practices as a team. Just like the children in our care, we as educators are constantly evolving and developing. 
• Educators should be friendly, passionate, warm, caring and supportive of all children and their families. 
• Educators are role models to children, families and the wider community as they advocate for the importance of early learning, children’s rights and children’s well being.

In Respect of the Centre Environment

We Believe:

• The centre environment should be fun bright, welcoming, clean and inviting.
• The centre should be homelike and inviting. We recognise the importance of creating a link between the home and centres environment.
• That the environment should be stimulating, age appropriate and nurturing for all of the children. 
• The centre environment should be set up to supports individual child needs.
• In taking a sustainable approach within our centre. We aim to work together with our children, families and staff to promote and implement sustainable practices.

In Respect of the Community

We Believe:

• The Centre will utilise valuable resources from our local and wider communities to broaden children’s learning environment and their understanding of their world.
• The Centre is in a unique position to promote communication and co-operation between all agencies and professions within the early childhood field.
  

Operating hours

The centre is open between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday 49 weeks per year. We are closed for public holidays.

2013 Fees information

University Staff and Students

• 0-2 years $71.00 per child
• 2-3 years $69.00 per child
• 3-5 years $66.00 per child

Non - University (Community)

• 0-2 years $74.00 per child
• 2-3 years $72.00 per child
• 3-5 years $69.00 per child

Two week bond is required upon commencement.

Families pay by direct debit weekly, fortnightly or monthly from their nominated account on their nominated day of the week.

Families can receive the CCB and CCR  if eligible when attending our centre, these payments can be made directly to the childcare centre reducing the weekly out of pocket expense for families.

What’s included?

• All meals including morning tea, lunch, dessert and afternoon tea. Our centre menu has been evaluated by a dietician to ensure all of your child’s daily required intakes are met regarding fruit, vegetables and dairy etc. The menu can be altered to suit any dietary requirements.
• Vegetarian meals available if required
• Sunscreen
• Individual Child Developmental portfolios
• Sheets for beds and cots

Staffing

We exceed the minimum staff qualifications required at the centre by having 2 Early Childhood Teachers to complement our team of qualified staff. 

All our staff are qualified, and hold either a diploma in children’s service or a Certificate 3 in children’s services. Our staff at the centre are encouraged and continue to improve their knowledge and expertise with many taking the opportunity to further studies to increase their qualifications.

Background

In 1995, HMAS Nirimba Naval Base in Quakers Hill became Nirimba Education Precinct. Nirimba is an Aboriginal word meaning pelican.

The child care centre was established in March 1995 in the old gymnasium of the naval base under the name of UWS Hawkesbury Child Care Centre Inc.

In January 2001, the Centre changed its name to Nirimba Community Children’s.

The centre became part of the UWS Early Learning Limited in 2011 and changed it's name to UWSEL Blacktown.

Contact Us

Director: Rebecca Ackroyd

Nirimba Education Precinct, 11 Eastern Rd, Quakers Hill, NSW 2763
Tel: + 61 2 9852 4077
Fax: + 61 2 9852 4079
Email: ncccdirector@uws.edu.au