25Jan
What Is An Early Learning Centre?
Some of the terms parents hear when it comes to preschool-aged children are things like daycare centres, early education facilities and more. If you’re wondering just what an early learning centre is all about, what one has to offer and whether you should enrol your child in one, then read on to discover more.
What Is An Early Education Centre?
As the name suggests, early learning centres are far more than just daycare. Not only will your child be well looked after if you’re a working parent, but they will also learn many basics that will give them a head start in life and in the school years to come.
Early education centres are a combination of daycare and early learning. They offer a safe and secure environment while being a place of both personal and academic development. A quality early education centre will offer a well-rounded curriculum of activities. Let’s look at some typical things you can expect from an early learning centre.
What Do Will Children Learn There?
Many early learning centres place a firm focus on teaching kids the basics in academics, which helps to prepare them for primary school and beyond. Systems like the THRASS and STEM programs are very effective systems for teaching preschool-aged kids the basics in academics in ways they can relate to. Subjects covered include mathematics, English, Science, engineering and computers, to name a few. Once children have a firm grounding in rudimentary academics, they’ll start school full of confidence when entering the classroom.
Another important subject a quality early education centre will focus on is proper nutrition. Some centres even have on-site chefs to prepare delicious, yet healthy meals that kids really enjoy eating. It can be a challenge for parents to get kids to eat a healthy diet and even harder to entice them to eat vegetables. That’s why it’s vital that they learn why good nutrition is important and how it will benefit them. At Endeavour Early Education Centres, we even have children growing and harvesting their own vegetable patch, which really encourages them to eat well.
Personal development activities also form an integral part of the early learning centre curriculum. Activities are designed to build self-confidence and self-esteem, teamwork, learning social skills, developing young bodies and minds and so much more. Most of all, these activities are interactive and fun, so kids are keen to get involved.
A school readiness program is also something an early education centre will offer. This encompasses what’s been mentioned above and also focuses on specifically preparing kids for primary school, so they commence school with confidence and without fear.
How To Choose An Early Learning Centre
Now that you know what an early learning centre is and basically what’s on offer, how do you go about choosing an early learning centre that’s right for you and your child?
This will depend on the outcomes you want for your child but basically, you’ll want to find a centre that offers both the THRASS and STEM learning systems, teaches children about proper nutrition and a centre that focuses on different forms of personal and social development, both physical and mental.
When you discover a few early learning centres in your area that you are considering, it’s a good idea to pay them a visit, chat with the staff and spend some time observing. One thing you’ll be wanting to look for is the general atmosphere. Do the kids look comfortable, relaxed and having a good time? Does the centre have a positive atmosphere? What facilities do they have (indoors and outdoors) and does the centre offer nutritious meals? Ask to see a copy of the centre’s curriculum of activities so you can familiarise yourself with what happens within the centre on a daily basis. Also, do their operating hours suit you?
If possible, perhaps even chat with parents who have kids attending the centre.
Another thing you can do is search for some online feedback about the centre and see what parents are saying about their experiences.
Endeavour Early Education Centres
Endeavour Early Education Centres offer everything mentioned in this article and so much more. To discover how you and your child can benefit from enrolment, just give us a call and have a chat today.
