Gatton Child Care

This centre is a non-profit community-based long day care centre and can be found on the corner of Lake Apex Drive and Dennis Minson Drive in Gatton. It provides care for full-time and occasional care (subject to availability) from birth to school age.

There are four childrens' rooms:

• Nursery - 0 - 2 years - 8 children with two staff
• Toddlers - 2 - 3 years - 10 children with two staff
• Jnr Kindy - 2 -3 years - 16 children with two staff
• Kindy - 4 - 6 years - 22 children with two staff

The centre is open from 6am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays), 50 weeks per year.

We provide:

• Sandwiches for lunch
• Hat for each child
• Linen for their bed

We ask all families to donate healthy fruit and vegetable snacks to share for morning and afternoon tea.

For more information, please see our Parent Handbook here.

Staffing

Educators at our centre are our biggest asset. Management employs people with a wide range of knowledge, qualification, skills and experiences to ensure optimal care for your child. All staff are encouraged to attend training and development courses regularly as well as hold Working with Children Check (Blue Card) and First Aid Certificates.

Contact us today to arrange to visit the centre and make bookings as vacancies are limited.

Environment

Our centre aims to provide a home-like atmosphere within a caring and stimulating environment. Parents or guardians are able to ask for information at any time about the activities and experiences offered, our philosophy about learning and child development outcomes, and how we intend that the outcomes will be achieved. The staff strive to build a trusting and secure setting for both children and parents. Our program is based on the philosophy of Emergent Curriculum.

Emergent curriculum

In a centre that celebrates children, a great way to program is by using Emergent Curriculum. This means that the learning that occurs emerges from the interest of the children. Teachers act as facilitators to provide directions for learning within the topic, expansion projects and extension ideas. The environment becomes a learning hub that is creative and stimulating for children and staff. The intent is to inspire curiosity, to encourage story telling skills, build motivation that comes from within a child, and to develop a life long love of learning.

Features of Emergent Curriculum are:

• Learning is spontaneous.
• Uses natural world as learning environment.
• Not time-focused.
• Focuses on the uniqueness of the child rather than the weakness of the child.

The children are free to choose the areas of interest in which they will participate throughout the day, both as individuals and as part of a group.

The activity areas are set up according to the children's interests and needs. Staff carefully prepare and supervise all areas.

It is believed children learn self-discipline by being able to choose their own play activities. The play activities each day will generally include:

• Painting, pasting, play dough, puzzles, blocks, construction equipment, music, storytelling, books, sand and water play, and other outdoor activities.

Sharing and co-operating with other children is encouraged by all the staff.

Some of the developmental areas we focus upon are:

• Responsibility
• Social interaction
• Following simple directions and rules
• Gaining independence and self discipline
• Sharing and co-operation
• Understanding feelings
• Self-help skills
• Manners
• Language
• Confidence
• Fine and gross motor skills.

Contact details

Gatton Child Care Centre
PO Box 82
Gatton Qld 4343
Telephone: (07) 5462 2946
Email: childcare@lvrc.qld.gov.au