Play provocations are a powerful tool for igniting curiosity and increasing engagement in young children. A provocation refers to intentionally setting up an environment or providing materials that inspire children to explore, investigate, and create. These set-ups not only enhance play experiences, but also play a crucial role in fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
Loose parts play is a form of play that has recently risen in popularity in early learning centres. It’s an avenue for children to have access to an assortment of materials that they can manipulate, build, explore, and create with. The materials they use are open-ended, allowing them to use their imagination and creativity to create whatever they like.
NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is a time all Australians to come together to honour the rich cultural heritage of our First Nations people and their ongoing contributions to their communities and our country as a whole. Early learning centres play a crucial role in acknowledging NAIDOC Week in order to promote cultural understanding and celebration from an early age.
World Environment Day is celebrated globally on June 5 as a way of raising awareness about key environmental issues and conservation. Children are never too young to learn about their impact on the environment and your Early Learning Centre is a great place to start. Here are four activity ideas to celebrate World Environment Day in your Early Learning Centre.
Mother’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers and guardians who nurture us and enrich our lives. For children, it’s important to understand this celebration from a young age to encourage a sense of appreciation and bonding.
Here are our ideas for Mother’s Day activities in the lead-up to May 14.
With cold and flu season upon us, good hygiene in your early learning centre is more important now than ever. We know how hard you work to maintain excellent hygiene in your early learning centre, but getting the children in your centre to share your enthusiasm is easier said than done.
It’s hard to believe Easter has rolled around already! Easter is an exciting time in Early Learning Centre’s. Children are excited about the treats and the Easter Bunny – he may even be making an appearance in your Early Learning Centre!
Nicky has worked in the Early Learning industry for more than 25 years in a variety of roles from Educator through to Centre Director, Area Manager, Advisory & Development Coordinator, Program Manager and Quality Advisor. Currently, Nicky is the Managing Director of a group of community-based Preschools in NSW. In this role, she has recently project managed the construction, fitout and opening of a new community Preschool for her organisation and it is through this process that she partnered with Step4 for the fitout of the new Preschool.
After spending part of her teenage years living in a remote part of the Kimberley in Western Australia, Nicky’s appreciation for the indigenous history of Australia began. Through her career, she has worked with and assisted Educators and Directors in their journey of understanding this important aspect of learning and history and how to ensure that their approach is collaborative, respectful and appropriate.
Nicky has recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Education as a specialisation subject for an ongoing Masters of Education. The extension of her own understanding of Indigenous perspectives was something that she wanted to support and this has assisted her in identifying ways that she can further support Educators across all levels and experience in reflecting on and extending their own knowledge.
Prue commenced her career as an early childhood educator before progressing to a centre Directors role. She later became an Area Manager supporting children, services and families throughout Sydney..
Prue has been working with STEP4 for almost 4 years now supporting services with their ongoing needs and requirements for resources, furniture and equipment as well as contributing her industry knowledge and design concepts to new centre startups. She loves the creative process of working with service owners, managers and educators to enable their vision come to life and create engaging and bespoke learning environments where children’s curiosity and engagement can be fostered. She loves sharing her passion and ideas and working collaboratively with industry leaders, educators and owners.
