The Learning Sanctuary Freshwater

Our Early Learning Environments

The Learning Sanctuary Freshwater child care centre provides a nurturing and enriching early learning environment that fosters exploration and curiosity.

The recently renovated outdoor environments at our Freshwater child care centre include cubby houses, a boat, a bike track, sandpits, water play area and more. Our outdoor learning program focuses on the development of your child’s strength, balance, and self-confidence.

Our indoor learning spaces offer a variety of engaging resources including natural resources, interactive smart boards and open-ended materials for children to learn and grow. Our experienced educators and teachers use these to design various age-appropriate play-based experiences.

Longstanding team of Educators and Teachers:

At the heart of our early learning centre in Freshwater is our longstanding team of early childhood educators and teachers with some team members at the centre for over 10 years. Their experience serves as an invaluable resource, allowing them to anticipate challenges and tailor their teaching methods to meet the individual needs of each student.

Our team of experienced and qualified early childhood teachers and educators are dedicated to ensuring every child feels safe, nurtured, and inspired throughout their early education journey.

Health and Nutrition

Our Freshwater early learning centre provides children with nutritious, unprocessed, and seasonal whole foods. Our menu rotates every four weeks to cater to diverse dietary requirements including Halal. View our menu sample here.

We actively involve children in food preparation to promote healthy eating. Additionally, we offer a grab-and-go breakfast snack and coffee for families.

Our Freshwater child care centre offers the NSW Government-approved, ‘Start Strong’ Program.

At The Learning Sanctuary Freshwater, your child will benefit from the NSW Start Strong program as part of our enhanced learning program. Our Preschool program will support your child’s learning, development, and well-being for now, at school and beyond. We tailor our Preschool program across:

• Numeracy
• Literacy
• Emotional and Social Development
• Self-regulation
• Healthy minds and bodies

The added benefits of our Government Approved Preschool program include:

• Extended opening hours
• Open all year round (excl public holidays)
• Programs developed and delivered by our Early Childhood Teachers
• Exclusive music and movement program for self-regulation

Leonie

I started working in the industry in 2016 undertaking a traineeship. I started at Freshwater in 2021 and have been with G8 since 2016. I have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and am currently working towards my Bachelor of Education.

One of the things I love most about working in Early Childhood is the opportunity to make a positive impact on children’s lives during these crucial formative years. I have cherish being apart of their learning journey, supporting them as they acquire new skills, develop their personalities, and build a strong foundation for future success.

Early childhood education has taught me that every child is unique with their own strengths, interests, and developmental journey. I have seen how play and hands-on experiences foster children’s curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. I have come to appreciate the profound impact of positive relationships and a nurturing environment on children’s emotional well-being and overall development. I have learned the importance of embracing diversity, promoting inclusion, and fostering a sense of belonging among all children. I have seen firsthand the incredible resilience and adaptability children possess, as they navigate challenges and grow both academically and personally. I have been inspired by their innate joy, enthusiasm, and capacity for growth. As an early childhood educator, I have learned that teaching is not the only aspect of being an educator, but being a facilitator, a guide, and a supporter of children’s self-discovery. My greatest understanding of children’s learning is the importance of play in their learning journey and how it is the most powerful tool we have at our disposal.

I am deeply committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive learning environment where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered. I believe in fostering a love for learning and a sense of curiosity that ignites their natural thirst for knowledge. I value the power of positive relationships and actively work to build strong connections with each child, their families, and the wider community. By fostering open communication and collaboration, I aim to create a shared sense of responsibility in supporting children’s growth and development. I prioritise creating a warm and caring atmosphere where children feel secure to express their thoughts, emotions, and concerns.

While home learning can be beneficial in certain circumstances, early childhood settings offer a comprehensive and specialized approach to support children’s early development and learning. We provide a social environment, access to qualified educators and resources, peer interactions, and a smooth transition to school, all of which contribute to children’s overall growth and readiness for future academic success.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such an amazing team of educators at The Learning Sanctuary Freshwater. Having such dedicated and passionate professionals in our center makes it a truly special place, and we are proud to have them on our team. Every child’s well-being and happiness is of utmost importance to our educators. They understand the importance of building strong relationships and creating a nurturing environment where children feel supported and valued. Children feel a sense of belonging and develop social-emotional skills because of their empathy and compassion. The team builds strong and meaningful relationships with children and families. They create a sense of trust and support, making each child feel valued and appreciated. These deep connections foster a love for learning and contribute to the overall well-being and happiness of the children in our care.

In early childhood education, supporting families and building strong relationships with them is essential for creating a collaborative and nurturing learning environment. I prioritize open and regular communication with families, ensuring that they are informed about their child’s progress, activities, and achievements. I actively seek input from families, valuing their insights and involving them in decision-making processes.

The Learning Sanctuary Freshwater child care centre provides early education and child care for children from nursery age through to preschool. Each room has been planned and set up to deliver the best early learning experience for your child.

Nursery 1 (6 weeks to 12 months) and Nursery 2 (12 months to 2 years)

Our Nursery rooms provide:

• A safe, secure and homely environment for your little one to thrive.
• Qualified and devoted educator team who truly care about children’s wellbeing and growth.
• Activities designed to grow physical and cognitive development, including tummy time, sensory play, music, singing, rhymes and reading.
• A continuation of your family’s home routine including sleep and feed times.
• An open-door policy for families that allows them to drop in for a visit any time of the day.

Toddler (2 – 3 years) and Early Learners (2.5 – 3.5 years)

Our Toddler and Early Learners room offers:

• Play-based activities including music, movement, memory and construction games that are designed to support sensory-motor and cognitive development.
• Enhanced social skills and self-confidence through group play.
• The ongoing development of language skills through reading and open-ended questions.
• Real-life and play-based experiences that allow children to engage in basic literacy and numeracy concepts.

Preschool (3 – 5 years)

Our Preschool rooms provide:

• A Preschool program aimed at further developing literacy, numeracy and social skills.
• With longer and more convenient hours than traditional Preschools – 7:30am to 6:00pm, five days a week, 52 weeks of the year – your child will be truly prepared for school and life beyond.
• Interest-based learning places children at the helm of their early education experience.
• Play-based opportunities to further develop social skills and emotional development.

A centre tour is a convenient way to experience the centre of your choice and meet with our qualified educators at a time suitable to your family schedule. The Learning Sanctuary also offers the virtual tour option in all our centres. Click here to book a tour online.

On the day of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to observe practices and interactions within the centre environment. You’ll be able to see all the rooms and playgrounds, ask the team members any questions you have in mind, and get all the information you need to make the best decision for your child.

The Learning Sanctuary Family Support team will add your child’s name to our waitlist if one of our centres is currently full in your child’s age group. We will then contact you as soon as a place becomes available.

We also do monthly check-ins to review the availability, and you will receive a text message confirming if you’re still happy to remain on the waitlist each month. If you would like to get an update at any point, you’re welcome to reach out on our Web Chat or give us a call. 

Our Family Support team can also help you find more G8 early learning centres near you, with the same offerings at The Learning Sanctuary centre you are interested in that have immediate availability.

It’s common for a child to experience separation anxiety when they first start child care. When you’re getting ready to start child care, you can help your child overcome anxieties by visiting the child care service together for a Stay and Play session, and easing into new routines at home.

Click here to read more tips about how to make the transition easier for your child.

Most of The Learning Sanctuary child care and early education centres offer the following:

• Nappies and wipes
• Sunscreen and hats
• Nutritious meals prepared by our in-house cook

Some centres also provide sheets and formula, so you may not need to remember to pack them.

For nursery children, be sure to bring: nappy rash cream, dummies, bottles and teats, comfort toys or blankets, three spare outfits, spare socks and a plastic bag for wet clothes.

For toddlers and preschool or kindergarten-aged children, it’s best to bring: spare underwear, water bottle or sippy cup, sun hat, closed-toe shoes, two spare outfits, spare socks and a plastic bag for wet clothes.

Plus anything else your individual child may need, such as breast milk, a sleeping bag, a comforter or medication.

It’s best to speak to your centre of choice for a full list of everything included.

The Learning Sanctuary uses Xplor Home as our family communication app. It is the best and easiest way to keep track of your child’s day.

After you enrol your child with the centre, you can utilise Xplor Home to book child care days, manage your account, receive the photographs that capture your child’s learning, learn about your child’s progress, as well as keep up-to-date with upcoming centre events and important information.

If your child shows signs of an infectious illness when they arrive at the centre or becomes sick during the day, you may be notified that you need to make alternative arrangements or pick up your child from the centre, and keep them home until they are no longer infectious. While we understand that this can be inconvenient, The Learning Sanctuary is committed to maintaining a healthy environment and reducing the risk of infection for all children.

Under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), families are allowed 42 absence days per child, per financial year. These can be taken for any reason, including public holidays and when children are sick, without the need for families to provide documentation.