Our Story
At Children First Learning Centres, we care for our future. We understand children are active participants in their own learning, and that best learning outcomes for children are more achievable if a collaborative relationship is developed between children, families, educators, and the community.
Children First Learning Centres has been involved in the early education industry since 1991. We are a non-corporate identity offering early learning programs for children up to and including school age, based on the “Early Years Quality Framework” (for under 5’s) and “My Time, Our Place” (for school age children).
Our aim is to provide a safe, warm and stimulating environment. We recognise that each child is unique, and that they will grow and develop at their own pace, whilst being supported and influenced by all educators involved in their care. We encourage children to develop a strong sense of self, to recognise their own self-worth and to create their own identity, which will support them on their learning journey now and into their later years.
Our goal is to function as an extended family, providing your child with the security, warmth, and love, which are basic to their development and growth.
About Lyndhurst Early Learning Centre
An exciting new era in early childhood learning began on 15th December 2008. Children First Learning Centres redeveloped the historic Hall & Dodd’s building in the grounds of Clayfield College; the first step in transforming the Heritage Listed building into the area’s leading early learning facility.
Set on a spacious 3000 square metre site, the centre offers programs for children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age.
The centre operates Monday to Friday, 52 weeks per year, 6.30am to 6.30pm – providing a nurturing and child-centric learning environment.
The focus is on developing a strong learning basis for children at the most influential time of their lives.
About Nipperville Early Learning Centre
Founded in 1969, Nipperville Early Learning Centre is firmly connected to the Watson community.
Set on a spacious 3500 square metre site and after extensive playground and facility refurbishments, the centre now reflects the changing needs of busy working families.
Our learning environments are aesthetic, flexible and we have a host of specialist educational equipment for all age groups.
The centre is renowned for its exquisite playground and beautiful trees. Nipperville Early Learning Centre recognises the importance of large open spaces play in children’s learning.
Our playground is a rich, developmentally appropriate learning environment, where children will want to stay and explore all day.
The centre operates Monday to Friday, 52 weeks per year, 7.30am to 6.00pm. Early learning programs are provided for all age groups from 6 weeks to 6 years of age, on a full-time or part-time basis.
About Clayfield Outside School Hours Care
Clayfield Outside School Hours Care is located on the Clayfield College school grounds next door to the Preparatory facilities.
We are open Monday to Friday, 50 weeks per year and closed on public holidays.
We offer a pickup and drop off service to Eagle Junction Primary School and provide an escort for students needing to attend extra circular activities outside of school hours.
We provide both Before and After School Care as well as Vacation Care during school holidays and pupil free days.
Learning Journeys
Lyndhurst & Nipperville Early Learning Centres
The Framework forms the foundation for ensuring that children in all early childhood education and care settings experience quality teaching and learning.
It has a specific emphasis on play-based learning and recognises the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development.
The Framework has been designed for use by early childhood educators working in partnership with families, children’s first and most influential educators.
Lyndhurst Kindergarten Program
Lyndhurst Early Learning Centre is an approved Kindergarten program service provider under the Department of Education and Training and is provided to children in the year prior to their preparatory year. Children must be four years old by 30th June in the year they participate in the program for at least 15 hours per week and for 40 weeks per year.
The Kindergarten program is aligned with the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline and the principles, practice, and outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia 2009 and is delivered by an Early Childhood Education Teacher.
Clayfield Outside School Hours Care
The Framework acknowledges the importance of play and leisure in children’s learning and development and that their learning is not limited to any particular time or place. Developing life skills and a sense of enjoyment are emphasised.
The Framework recognises the importance of social and emotional development and communication in learning through play and leisure, and it forms the foundation for ensuring that children in all school age care settings engage in quality experiences for rich learning, personal development and citizenship opportunities.
Lyndhurst & Nipperville Early Learning Centres
Lyndhurst Kindergarten Program
Clayfield Outside School Hours Care
The Framework forms the foundation for ensuring that children in all early childhood education and care settings experience quality teaching and learning.
It has a specific emphasis on play-based learning and recognises the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development.
The Framework has been designed for use by early childhood educators working in partnership with families, children’s first and most influential educators.
Lyndhurst Early Learning Centre is an approved Kindergarten program service provider under the Department of Education and Training and is provided to children in the year prior to their preparatory year. Children must be four years old by 30th June in the year they participate in the program for at least 15 hours per week and for 40 weeks per year.
The Kindergarten program is aligned with the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline and the principles, practice, and outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia 2009 and is delivered by an Early Childhood Education Teacher.
The Framework acknowledges the importance of play and leisure in children’s learning and development and that their learning is not limited to any particular time or place. Developing life skills and a sense of enjoyment are emphasised.
The Framework recognises the importance of social and emotional development and communication in learning through play and leisure, and it forms the foundation for ensuring that children in all school age care settings engage in quality experiences for rich learning, personal development and citizenship opportunities.
EXTRA CURRICULAR
Outdoor discovery with our Gardening Program
At our centres we recognise the importance of encouraging children to make environmentally conscious decisions from an early age. Emphasis is placed on the importance of ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ through quality hands on activities.
Wellness and movement through Yoga
Like adults, children deal with their own stress in life. Starting a new school, preparing for a new sibling – these are all stressful events that affect children. Children need a way to manage stress and anxiety and one form of practice is teaching children Yoga. When children practice Yoga it increases their confidence, builds concentration, and strengthens growing bodies.
French Language and Culture classes
Our Early Learning Centres recognises that learning another language develops unique higher order thinking, knowledge, and skills. We have chosen French as our bilingual language delivered by French teachers to children from 0 to 5 years.
Nutrition
A child’s early years are arguably their most important and establishing healthy behaviours from birth will lay the foundation for lifelong health and wellbeing.
Nutritious food (and regular physical activity) supports the normal growth and development of children and reduces the risk of developing chronic lifestyle related diseases later in life.
As more children spend time in care, early childhood settings can play an important part in supporting healthy choices around nutrition.
As someone who prepares and cooks food for your children, our centres have the opportunity to positively influence what foods children eat, as well as their eating behaviours.
This contributes to their development of good habits and good health in both childhood and later life.
We would like to share a few of the children’s favourite recipes from our cookbook with you.
Fees
Child Care Subsidy is available to all families who are Australian residents if the child meets immunization requirements and parents meet eligibility requirements. Entitlement is determined by an activity test which determines the number of hours of subsidised care to which families are entitled.
All families wishing to access the Child Care Subsidy needs to complete an online Child Care Subsidy assessment through their myGov account.
Education Professionals
Children First Learning Centres recognises that the quality and success of our programs are reflective of our educator’s dedication and commitment to the development of every child. We acknowledge that each individual brings with them knowledge, skills and experience that enhances their own teaching style and contributes to the diversity of our programs offered.
We value and actively encourage a collaborative approach to professional development. Through in-service training, liaising with registered Training Authorities, networking with local community support services and schools, educators will continue to develop and expand their knowledge. Educator qualifications, ideas, beliefs, experience, and reflective practices are critical to achieving positive experiences and best outcomes for your children.
CHRIS SCIFFER
Operations Manager
CHILDREN FIRST EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
26 Years of Service
TARYN KENNEDY
Finance Manager
CHILDREN FIRST EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
16 Years of Service
KATE JAMIESON
Nominated Supervisor
LYNDHURST EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
12 Years of Service
KIRSTY PUDE
Authorised Person
LYNDHURST EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
12 Years of Service
NICOLE SCARINCI
Early Childhood Teacher
LYNDHURST EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
9 Years of Service
KEVIN BRAZEL
Educational Leader
LYNDHURST EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
10 Years of Service
CASSANDRA RIJVEN
Nominated Supervisor
NIPPERVILLE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
13 Years of Service
PHUNTSHO RINCHEN
Educational Leader
NIPPERVILLE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
KAT DARLINGTON
Administration Officer
NIPPERVILLE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
9 Years of Service
KANG (LUCY) LI
Early Childhood Teacher
NIPPERVILLE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
1 Years of Service
MELANIE REHBEIN
Nominated Supervisor
CLAYFIELD OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE
9 Years of Service
ROBYN PERRY
Authorised Person Educational Leader
CLAYFIELD OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE
13 Years of Service