Terrigal Children’s Centre opened in 1987 and caters for up to 39 children aged six weeks to six years. We have two well-resourced rooms designed to promote children's holistic development. Each playroom has a separate outdoor environment that reflects the natural beauty of the surrounding native trees and birdlife. In early 2016 we received a rating of ‘Exceeding’ from our national directorate.

Our professional and experienced team of educators value their relationships with children and their families, and reflect on children's interests to facilitate and create engaging learning environments and experiences for children and families. We are surrounded by natural areas and our neighbours are the BMX track, basketball stadium and tennis courts.

At Terrigal Children's Centre we enjoy our role as part of the wider community. We celebrate and embrace community events and experiences including Harmony Day, Children’s Week, Senior's Week, NAIDOC week, Child Protection, sustainability and engaging with our local community.

What we provide

• Friendly, highly qualified and experienced educators
• Friendly and caring atmosphere
• Nutritionally cooked meals where on-site caterer prepares a variety of delicious, healthy meals
• Safe, convenient drop-off and pick-up areas with security access with PIN code
• Access to Storypark app, a secure private online space where families and educators share information about children’s learning
• School Transition Program with a focus on literacy and numeracy and a working relationship with our local primary schools
• Quiet tranquil setting
• Purpose built centre
• Social calendar
• Librarian story time
• Munch and Move program used to promote and support children’s health and wellbeing within our centre
• Sun smart approved, a Cancer Council program to help minimise student and staff over-exposure to UV radiation and reduce the risk of skin cancer
• Bush Kindy / Outside the Game Program, nature based learning with a focus on sustainability and nature based play
• Membership with the Multicultural Resource Centre and an inclusive approach to cultural diversity
• Strong community partnerships with regular outings into our community, including visits to our local library, post office, parks (nature walks) as well as community visitors, e.g. police, fire brigade and entertainer
• Participation in the Early Learning Languages Australia program, where children learn a different language each year
• Be You (Kids Matter) registered, promoting positive mental health for children and families
• Curriculum follows the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), with its’ view of children’s lives as being represented by the concept of belonging, being and becoming
• Free speech pathology service (NSW Health funded)

We are open between 7am-6pm Monday to Friday.

Our rooms

The centre is split into two rooms. The Starfish Room (babies to 3 year olds) and the Seahorse Room (for 3-5 year-olds).

Starfish Room

Educators working with young children recognise that children's explorations and spontaneous experiences make up a large component of their learning. Both the indoor and outdoor environments are set up to foster inquiry and exploration. In addition to spontaneous music and language experiences, a structured language group is provided, with the use of stories, puppets, felt boards and songs utilised to promote children's development, listening and turn-taking skills.

Seahorse Room

Children are invited daily to bring in an interesting or educational item for news - something they may find or make, told news, a special event or an experience they would like to share. This aids the development of communication and listening skills and is a wonderful opportunity for them to take turns, become comfortable with talking in front of a group, sharing information or showing and explaining a favourite book, holiday or visit.

Transition to School programme

In the year prior to school, children attend a special group time designed to promote readiness for school, focusing on social and emotional readiness as well as literacy and numeracy. The program meme is implemented by trained and experienced educators and ensures that transition to school is smooth and reflective of individual children's interests.

The focus is on encouraging the children to be independent and to care for their own belongings; the need to follow simple instructions and routines; to communicate their feelings with others, and to share and take turns. The children listen to stories, participate in discussions, draw, write, imagine, design, count and create.

A school transition information evening is provided for parents. Local school kindergarten teachers attend and talk and answer any questions what to expect in the first few weeks of school. Past parents are invited to share their experiences.

The Centre has close working relationship with the local schools and we follow their guidelines in an effort to prepare each child. Educators recommend and advocate that parents who are concerned about their child’s level of readiness investigate the possibility of their child participating in a pre-school readiness programme which all of the local schools offer.

Our educators

The educators at Terrigal Children's Centre are experienced and qualified professionals. The Centre has a set roster for staff, providing continuity of care and familiarity for children and their families.

The Centre has permanent part-time educators who cover planned and, where possible, unplanned absences. The staff daily roster is displayed each day on a slideshow parents and children can access on upon arrival.

Call today to arrange a tour

Families are welcome to visit the centre and take part in the many events and information sessions.

For all enquiries or to make an appointment, contact Terrigal Children’s Centre on 4385 1088 or call our Support Services Team on 4350 5181.

Enrolment

Enquire Now or call us on 4350 5181