We run a Nationally Recognised Preschool Program that is funded by NSW Government called Start Strong Funding.
What is Start Strong Funding?
Start Strong is a NSW Government initiative that provides additional funding to early childhood education services — like ours — to help reduce preschool fees for families and ensure more children can access quality early learning.
What does this mean for you?
If your child is enrolled in a preschool program at our centre (typically in the year before starting school), you may be eligible for fee relief through the Start Strong funding.
- Up to $4,220 per year in fee relief for children aged 3–5 years old.
- The funding is paid directly to the service and comes off your fees, so you pay less.
- Available for both preschool and long day care settings (like ours), provided we offer an eligible program.
What do you need to do?
To receive the Start Strong funding:
- Complete a declaration form (we’ll give this to you).
- Confirm that you’re only receiving Start Strong fee relief from one service (you can only claim it at one preschool or centre at a time).
Why is it important?
Early education plays a big role in preparing children for school and life. The Start Strong funding helps more children access these benefits by making it more affordable for families.
Ekidna’s School Readiness Philosophy
Big Minds, Big Fun, Big School here we come!
Our School Readiness Program begins from the moment the children walk in the door until the moment they leave. In fact it starts from birth as we support all areas of development and prepare children not only for school but for life beyond it. At the beginning of the year we get to know the children and you as a family and find out each child’s individual goals that will be worked on throughout the year. We are guided by a syllabus each term but as is reflected in our Philosophy we provide interest based learning as we recognise children up to 6 years old learn best through play.
Throughout the day there are many opportunities provided to the children to encourage, support and build on important self help skills. The children take responsibility of their belongings, gain a sense of leadership among the younger children outside, develop empathy, practise opening and closing their water bottles and zipping up or throwing on jumpers. In our Banksia and Wattle Rooms children are offered and encouraged to bring their lunchboxes (empty) in each day, we pack these as we serve afternoon tea. These vital life skills guide the children in the right direction to head off to Big School and thrive.
We promote risky play and provide resources and equipment in our indoor and outdoor environment that children can explore freely that can be considered challenging and that encourage children to take appropriate and measured risks. This can be things like using jars for pencils, cutting with scissors, or using the crates to build sky scrapers! The opportunities are endless and we want to support the children in learning how to identify a hazard and find out the risk involved.
Excursions and incursions are a way we like to connect with our wider community. The children are able to take on new perspectives, build confidence in new surroundings or meeting new people and have exciting adventures which will be remembered for years to come!
Is my Child Ready?
We know this is a big step for everyone. Not only do we support our little people but their parents and caregivers too. We offer the opportunity to keep you up to date with your child’s ongoing development and readiness for School.
Our highly qualified educators and Early Childhood Teachers are able to provide guidance on your child being ready for school or goals to work on. These can be addressed at any time of the year as well as during our half yearly and yearly Parent Teacher Interviews for the preschoolers. Through the bonds the educators make with the children and you as a family you will feel confident in your decision.
Together we aim to build a solid foundation where children’s social and emotional well-being is nurtured in order for them to become an active and positive learner for their future.
