Family Information

As a family, it is important to select a quality childcare and early learning provider that aligns with your values and parenting style. A childcare provider that respects and supports your approach to learning, discipline and emotional development can act as an extension of your home environment and maintain consistency for your child. By finding the right childcare centre that complements your parenting approach, you can feel confident that your child is in a safe environment where they can thrive.

Our Vision

Inspire powerful relationships in early learning.

Our Values

A Place To Learn

We believe in lifelong learning and have created a unique environment that inspires and challenges your child to give them the best opportunity to develop new skills.

A Sense of Community

Each of our childcare centres is designed to meet the community’s needs whilst respecting the diversities that make each of these communities unique. Our educators work with community partners to recognise and support the shared values that unify the local community.

Promote Health & Wellbeing

We are passionate about the health and well-being of children which is why our program has been designed to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles. Our curriculum includes physical activity, mindfulness and nutritional education to provide children with a sense of self.

Partnerships With Family

We recognise that your family is your child’s first teacher. We believe that the knowledge you can share and provide us plays an important part in how we create, implement and support our educational program and daily practice. This supports our educators in developing authentic experiences that connect our learning environment to the home setting.

We place importance on sharing values and decision-making with our families and encourage parents to come and spend time in the centre. Open communication is a key factor to our success in building strong parent and family partnerships and we do this through face-to-face conversations, Storypark and emails.

What to do before your child starts childcare

Edge Early Learning offers a ‘Stay and Play’ program at all our centres which allows new families to spend some time with us before your child starts. We recommend families attend their new childcare centre a minimum of one time prior to starting childcare as an orientation session. This will allow your family to meet your child’s educators, observe Edge’s early learning program in person and learn where things are located the centre. The orientation session aims to empower you and your child to feel confident coming in on their first day of childcare. To arrange this, please speak to your Centre Director to discuss when would be suitable to arrange a visit.

The day before your child’s first day of childcare, we also recommend families have a conversation with their child on what to expect on their first day. This conversation can be used to discuss:

• What they will bring with them
• Who will look after them
• The new experiences they will be exposed to
• The new children they will play with
• Where things are located in the centre

What to bring on their first day of childcare

For your child’s first day at Edge Early Learning, please pack in their bag with their name clearly labelled:

• At least 2 changes of spare change of clothes and underwear
• A dummy or comforter if required
• Formula/Breastmilk & bottles
• Drink bottle & Hat (supplied on enrolment)
• A fitted cot sheet for rest time and a blanket in cooler weather

The First Drop-Off

On your child’s first day of childcare, it is recommended to allow plenty of time for drop-off. This will allow your child to settle into this new routine. As this first day can be an emotional time for parents and children, our educators will be on hand to make this transition as smooth as possible. All parents and guardians are welcome to stay with their child as long as needed during drop-off and we recommend sitting down with your child and engaging them in an activity to ease them into the day.

When it is time for you to leave, we recommend saying goodbye to your child and letting them know when you will be back. Whilst this may be hard, even if your child is getting upset, we recommend saying ‘goodbye’ to get them used to this daily routine. Educators will be available to provide children the nurturing and consistent emotional support where needed. This will assist children in developing the skills they need to interact positively with others. Throughout the day parents are also welcome to call the childcare centre to see how their child is settling in.

The First Pick-Up

For pick-up, it is important to return when you told your child you would. If you are going to be late, please let the centre know so educators can explain this to your child. At Edge Early Learning, we prioritise open communication with our families, so all information regarding your child’s day will be documented and available each afternoon at pick-up including sleep, toileting, meals and activities.

Still have a question our handbook hasn’t answered? Our FAQ page is full of the most common questions families have regarding childcare, waitlists and enrolment. Alternatively, contact your local Edge Early Learning childcare centre today to get more information.