Our Program and Approach
At our centre childhood is celebrated. When they play and explore, children's imagination and curiosity is sparked - they enjoy learning, and are inspired to continue learning more.
Our vibrant and enthusiastic team of educators ensure a balanced program that fosters children’s interests, friendships, cultural background and overall development. As educators, we facilitate and guide children’s learning in order for them to achieve their potential. We value children as complex individuals who have the right to voice their opinions and ideas within a nurturing and inclusive environment.
We encourage children to investigate, explore and create solutions, thus extending their critical thinking skills, resilience and independence. The children are supported in their development of positive self-esteem and identity, in order to create intrinsic lifelong learners.
Children’s families, communities and cultures are respected and cherished as the foundation of their identity, and are incorporated within the centre program. Our families are closely involved in the operation of the service and we conduct regular family committee meetings and social events that promote opportunities for meaningful collaboration.
We also maintain strong links with the local community including schools, early intervention groups, community events and services. We also have residents from Carrington Nursing Home visit each fortnight to engage with the children. This provides a wonderful link to the wider community and create a true sense of belonging for all involved.
Our Special Interest
In addition to the high quality well-rounded programs we offer, all KU centres are also encouraged to develop an area of interest.
At KU Cobbitty Preschool our special interest is the natural environment and sustainable practices.
We incorporate this into our program and environment through our vegetable garden, collecting water and rain tank, gardening, mud kitchens, recycling, science based learning and much more. The children care for our pet guinea pigs, Snowflake and Fudge, which supports the children’s development of responsibility. We also have plans for a playground extension for an edible garden, mud pit and chicken run.
We believe it is important for children to jump in puddles, collect rain water, get dirty and immerse themselves in the natural environment. They learn about the positive influence we can all have on the natural environment and positive change we can implement.
Our Quality
Our centre has been independently assessed by the Department of Education NSW under the National Quality Standard, and are proud to be rated as 'Exceeding' the National Quality Standard.
However what matters most is what our families think...
"A fantastic centre that has some of the most interactive and caring staff, that know exactly how to work with children in an inclusive environment. Great set up with different indoor and outdoor areas that provide a great learning experiences, both in the natural environment and a play environment." - KU Cobbitty Parent
“We are extremely happy with the progress we have seen with our child since he has started preschool. It’s a delight to see how much he enjoys this environment. It’s also fantastic to see the learning we do at home emerging within the preschool environment.” - KU Cobbitty Parent
Our Environment
Each KU centre is unique. The best outcomes for children are created within relationships and interactions between children and staff, and children and their families, not within four walls. We work hard to create beautiful, interesting, homelike learning environments for children - whatever our setting
Set amongst pristine bush and farmland surrounds, KU Cobbitty Preschool provides a calm and peaceful environment for children to learn and play. KU Cobbitty Preschool is a boutique service with only 25-30 children per today allowing for a sense of community and belonging.
It is a purpose built building which provides for easy flow between the indoor and outdoor environments and designated creative arts room. The children have access to the whole environment throughout the majority of the day due to our progressive routine and educator roster. This provides the children with access to diverse and numerous learning experiences through uninterrupted exploration, investigation and play.
Our playground is designed to maximise the use of the natural environment and allow children to play and explore as they would in their own backyard. We offer stimulating activities that arouse children’s curiosity and encourage them to choose from a variety of planned experiences, expanding their learning potential. Our playground includes natural elements such as sand, water, grass, mud, leaves and twigs, and we also offer gross motor experiences such as climbing, jumping and physical play. We foster the holistic development of each child so they feel inspired to create, imagine and play.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
KU was proud to launch its inaugural Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2016. At KU Cobbitty, we began our journey to develop our centre’s RAP in 2018 and we are proud to present it here.