Springwood Early Education Centre

Springwood Early Education Centre
20 Dennis Road
Springwood Queensland 4127
Australia
Phone: (07) 3808 3733
Email: springwood@qccs.com.au
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/6LTSgLky9hs9qHr9A
  • Our Director
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    Name: Taara McCully

    Tell us about your career in Early Childhood. How long have you been working in the industry?
    I have been employed both fulltime and on a casual basis in a variety of early childhood centres and schools for the last 22 years in a variety of roles throughout Australia including director, lead educator, primary school teacher assistant, early childhood teacher and educational leader. I have had the experience of working in a variety of settings including remote Indigenous communities, city centres and community kindergartens. I have also undertaken employment with Fruition tutoring in which I have worked with primary aged children in literacy and numeracy. This employment experience has allowed me to continually develop, expand and extend my knowledge of current educational program and practices and legislation.

    Tell us about the relevant qualifications you hold that assists you in your position?
    I hold a Diploma of Children’s Services, Diploma of Business, Bachelor of Early Childhood, current Blue Card, First Aid and CPR, Child Protection, Fire Safety training.

    When did you first join the QCCS team?
    I joined the QCCS team in September 2024.

    What do you find most rewarding about your career in Early Childhood?
    I believe that to work with children is a privilege that each child is rich, strong, powerful and competent and capable from the moment they are born. In the mind of a child nothing is impossible, everything can be achieved, the world is theirs to capture. I wish to become an educator that never lets this dream become anything less than possible for the children I have the privilege to interact and grow with. As an early childhood professional, I wish to always have the capabilities and insight to create an environment that motivates and nurtures each child’s innate ability to explore, create, learn and discover their own unique individuality and potential, while also creating memories that stay with both educators and children forever.

    Why do you choose to work for QCCS?
    QCCS is a workplace that values and respects all members of its community that provides exciting and meaningful opportunities for children, families and educators. Working with QCCS provides educators with a diverse platform for growth and development through professional development, training and mentorship. The leadership team provides ongoing support that allows educators to work at their potential. The QCCS has a holistic and positive culture that promotes innovation, creativity and allows all members within its community to grow and thrive.

     

     

  • Our Centre
  • Welcome to Springwood Early Education Centre and Preschool. Our Centre is located in the heart of Springwood. Our Centre is located on Dennis Road and is situated in an ideal location; next door to Springwood Central State Primary School. We are close to the service road and within walking distance to all businesses along this road. There is a newly built walkway that runs directly behind our Centre that links up closely to the Springwood Busway which provides great public transport access to our Centre.

    Our aim is to provide the highest standard of care to you, the families, as well as to the children who are within our care. Our Centre celebrates diversity, welcoming families with different cultures and backgrounds.

    Our hours of operation are from 6am to 6pm. We are open Monday through to Friday, 52 weeks a year (excluding public holidays). Our Centre opened in June 1999 and caters for 75 children aged from birth to school age. 

    Our Team:

    Our team are qualified, friendly and caring staff who are committed to continually improving their skills and knowledge by frequently attending in-service training and seminars. All staff are required to have an up to date First Aid, CPR and Blue Card. All new employees of QCCS attend an Induction Session prior to commencing at any of our Child Care Centres; thus, ensuring they will be well equipped to step into their new role. In addition, we provide regular professional opportunities as well as monthly Centre Director and staff meetings to ensure that all our employees are up to date with industry developments.

    Our Centre aims to be at the forefront of industry developments and trends. Therefore, at QCCS your child will benefit from an array of experiences:

    • Interactive smart boards
    • Dynamic Emergent Curriculum based on the Early Years Learning Framework and Kindergarten Guidelines
    • Individual child portfolios. QCCS realises how important it is to be kept informed on your child’s progress and daily activities.
    • Healthy nutritious meals including breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
    • Sun Safety is a priority with a large percentage of the playgrounds covered with artificial and natural shade. Each Centre aims to avoid sun exposure between 9am-3pm to give the children that added level of sun protection.
    • Transition to school programs along with transition statements.

    Sustainability Focus:

    Our Centres are passionate about teaching sustainable behaviours, instilling the knowledge and values that help support sustainable environments. Just some of the sustainable practices that you can expect to see in our services include:

    • Educating our children in the use of compost systems within their rooms
    • Child tended vegetable and herb gardens, sharing our harvest with families and children
    • Appointment of our children to monitor the electricity and water use within our centre
    • Use of recycled materials in our art and craft activities
    • Use of donated items by our local communities and businesses
    • Use of equipment made from recycled materials
  • Our Program
  • We are committed to the implementation of the National Early Years Learning Framework and operate an Emergent Curriculum. Our program is based on the individual needs of the children in our care. Our program is balanced and developmentally appropriate. It has variations, providing for a wide range of individual experiences. These experiences give the children the opportunity to make choices and take on new challenges. Our Centre programs are based on the individual child, thus ensuring it does not exclude any one child. Our goal is to inspire delight, curiosity, and inquiry in the classroom. We are very proud to offer the below to all our families at no additional costs:

    Kindergarten Program
    Our Centre is pleased to be operating a Queensland Government approved Kindergarten Program with a qualified Early Childhood Teacher. This program is aimed at preparing our pre-prep children for primary school. Our Centre implements the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline and focuses on building upon children’s learning and development including literacy and numeracy skills as well as exploring the foundations of mathematics and science. We are committed to developing and building on community partnerships with local schools, Teachers and families to ensure children are being well prepared for their school years.

    Families with eligible children attending an approved Kindergarten Program may be entitled to a QKFS Plus Kindy Support Subsidy to assist with the out of pocket expenses of attending the program. To be eligible, families must either:

    • Hold a current Health Care Card, Veterans Affairs Card or Australian Government Pension Concession Card 
    • Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander 
    • Have three or more children enrolled in the same year (must be the same age)

    Your Centre Director can provide you with further information regarding this subsidy.

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    Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA)
    Our Centre also boasts a second language program (Japanese), we are proud participants in the Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) initiative. ELLA is an Australian Government initiative aimed at reviving the teaching of foreign languages in Australian schools, with the aim of significantly increasing the number of Year 12 students studying a language other than English within a decade.

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    Hey Dee Ho Music Program
    Our professional Music Program is facilitated by ‘Hey Dee Ho Educational Services’. Hey Dee Ho visits our centre fortnightly. The program is an educational music experience where children learn the concepts of beat, rhythm, tempo, pitch and dynamics in a play-based environment. https://heydeeho.com.au/ourprograms/#music

    Exposing children to music during early development helps them learn the sounds and meanings of words and is known to accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition. Dancing to music helps children build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression.

    Hey Dee Ho understands that each child has their own unique set of needs and interests. They have developed a range of activities to address the varied developmental needs of all children from birth. From relaxation and mindfulness to playing musical instruments to high energy dances, Hey Dee Ho programs engage and enhance children’s learning and fine motor development while giving them plenty of opportunity for fun.

    Little Scientists
    Our Centre is proud to be a Certified Little Scientists House. This program is run daily by demonstrating our commitment to hands-on, inquiry-based learning in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. It is designed to recognise services and schools that promote an active learning environment, incorporating best practice elements such as inquiry-based learning, metacognition and co-construction.

    Barefoot Nursery
    Our Centre runs a ‘Barefoot Nursery’. Upon entry to the Nursery all Educators, guardians and visitors are required to remove their shoes or place a covering over them. Our babies are sensory explorers; therefore, it is important to us to keep our nursery room floors and environment clean and hygienic. The exceptional cleanliness of the ‘Barefoot Nursery’ concept allows our infants to freely investigate their surroundings without being exposed to unnecessary germs and bacteria.

    Veggie Fun Program
    Veggie Fun for Everyone is a 12-week food literacy program run in our Kindergarten Room, created by our very own Healthy Cooking Company designed to develop a positive attitude toward vegetables in children. The Kindergarten children will be encouraged to explore vegetables, leading to positive experiences and self-directed tasting.

    Perceptual Motor Program
    Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) activities form a part of our daily routine as your child’s Educators aim to help them become physically active and promote healthy growth as well as development of bones, muscles, flexibility, balance, posture and cardiovascular fitness. It can also help establish connections between different parts of the brain that develop memory and language.

    Bush Kindy Program
    Our children eagerly anticipate their fortnightly Bush Kindy sessions. Each session runs for approximately two hours and begins with a short walk next door to the bush land between our Centre and the school grounds. 

    As part of our Bush Kindy Program we learn all about the world around us and connect with nature whilst always acknowledging the traditional landowners – the Yugambeh people. Children are given the chance to explore and learn new things, climbing, running and inadvertently expanding upon their gross motor skills. Exploring the plants, trees, rocks and water creates spontaneous conversation, interactions and valuable risk-taking opportunities. The sessions are unstructured and initiated by the children, to inspire problem solving and promote self-confidence.

    Observing insects/animals in their natural habitat is often a highlight for the children, their excitement and intrigue is always evident in their laughter and smiles. The Educators encourage their inquisitive instincts and questions.

    There are many known physical and social benefits to exploring nature and evidence shows that exposure to nature can reduce stress and increase academic performance. This is especially important in the technology driven world we live in where screen time is ever increasing for adults and children alike.

    Swimming Program
    Springwood Early Education Centre has partnered with a local swim centre to provide swimming lessons for children aged 3 to 5 years. The aim of swimming lessons is to teach children how to be safe in and around water. The program runs weekly, all year round, in 5-week blocks and taught by fully qualified swimming instructors.

    Intergenerational Program
    The Intergenerational Program helps to bridge generational gaps by fostering understanding and building respect between generations. Springwood Early Education Centre is proudly partnered with the local Arcare Springwood Nursing Home. Once a month the children visit residents at the nursing home, where they participate in a range of activities including singing, arts and crafts and gardening.

  • Healthy Eating
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    We believe food ingredients should come from the kitchen, not from a lab. From this belief came the inspiration to open our own production kitchen, the Healthy Cooking Company. We aim to create and promote natural and wholesome food with a number of health benefits:

    • Organic baby food
    • Preservative Free
    • No artificial flavours
    • Low in sodium & refined sugar
    • Naturally sweetened with honey

    We promise that our nutrition labels will be free of numbers, so there will be no need to decipher nasty food additives. We are dedicated to providing delicious food that your children will love. Parents can rest assured that their little ones are being provided with a good start with healthy, nutritious morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea meals provided.

    As Educators, we believe in teaching children that physical activity can be fun as well as good for our bodies and minds. As a result we coordinate exciting exercise programs within our centres that have been developed by our Sports Dietitian in consultation with Primary School Physical Education Teachers. We want the children in our care to experience the numerous health benefits that regular physical activity can provide such as:

    • Stronger muscles and bones
    • Long term positive attitude towards exercise
    • Reduction in the likelihood of becoming overweight
    • Reduction in the likelihood of developing illnesses and diseases


    Through this we aim to incorporate at least three hours of physical activity each day into our room routines and programs with:

    • Morning physical activity routine
    • General indoor physical activity
    • Outdoor experiences
    Jessica MarszalekJessica Marszalek
    23:23 06 Mar 23
    Our daughter finished at the start of this year and we will be sending our son soon. The educators are wonderfully caring, passionate people who communicate well with parents. The smaller size of the centre itself makes for a friendly atmosphere in which educators have the time to form spending bonds with those in their care. I love the centre's dedication to play-based learning and nature play, as well as the nutritious meals prepared for the kids.
    Emily ParkinsonEmily Parkinson
    10:45 08 Oct 22
    I have found all of the staff at this centre to be friendly, approachable & knowledgable.I am really pleased with how well my daughter has settled in & is happy in care and home. That is the biggest reflection of the wonderful service provided at this centre.I get a good feeling at this centre as well as a sense of community. I like the way the staff communicate with me. Even if the lead educator is not present at drop off/ pick up all of the educators are able to tell me how my daughters day has been.I am so happy i decided to tour this centre and am so greatful to the beautiful manager kym who went above and beyond to find space for my daughter.
    Leticia HoltLeticia Holt
    03:22 17 Jun 22
    My son officially finished today!Before my son started here, he couldn't sit still, couldn't concentrate, couldn't even be next to another child longer than 30 seconds at a time, never wanted to be included, would rather be by himself. Springwood early education centre changed him in a huge positive way and made him feel so comfortable and helped him overcome so many challenges! Your team asked me to write a review on what they could do better? Improve? And honestly, there’s nothing more you guys need to do! Miss Indu and Miss Sandra observed my son over time and had one on one time with him and came up with a plan on how to help him. Working around his sensory issues, his mood swings ect and helped him! Now he loves being involved in group activities, sitting on the mat, being apart of everything going on! Hes officially ready for prep! And I'm so thankful for the team here. Every single educator in the centre made him feel so loved every single day. From the moment he walked in to the moment he signed out, everyone made sure to say hello and goodbye and it’s not every day, a child knows every single educator by name! I’m so devastated I didn't find your centre a lot sooner! I will be forever grateful for your team. Ashton is going to miss all the educators so much!!
    Ashleigh GrantAshleigh Grant
    23:28 16 Jun 22
    I have been going to this centre for the past 7 years with all 3 of my children. It is an amazing centre with such kind and caring teachers. Some of which have taught all 3 of my kids. They form special bonds with the kids and make them feel like they’re at their home away from home. So grateful for the teachers there and will be sad once my daughter has finished up there to head to school. Want to make a special shout out to Miss Kim, Miss Indu, Miss Savannah, Miss Molly and Miss Sandra 🥰
    Dawnmarie MundayDawnmarie Munday
    08:35 15 Jun 22
    My son has been going here for 5 months now. He is a shy, keeps to himself with abit of separation anxiety from me (mum) little boy but he since coming here he has finally stop crying and releasing mum comes back. He is opening up and loves talking about his friends.Now my 1 year old daughter will be starting this week too 😀.The educators are so amazing and they do an amazing job with the kids. They go above and beyond to make sure each and every child is happy and safe 💛
    Shana RaeliShana Raeli
    04:34 13 Jun 22
    I've had my children in this centre for going on 4yrs. This year will be my last as our youngest heads off to school next year. My overall rating for the staff at the centre during the time we've been here, FABULOUS!!!! The first director Lorraine, was exceptional when it came to supporting my son for his behaviour. Good communication with the staff and take my hat off to all the educators here. The extra activities the centre provides like swimming lessons is a bonus but also many of my family have been through this centre with my nieces and nephews.
    Hannah BrennanHannah Brennan
    04:07 13 Jun 22
    Springwood Early Education centre is a fantastic, family focussed facility. I have been impressed with how they integrate learning and play and how far my 2.5 year old son has come in the time he has been there both educationally and socially.They often run family events giving all members of the family the opportunity to become apart of the centre and the warmth and welcoming of the entire team is second to none. Additionally, the facilities at the centre are lovely with big outdoor areas including a great play area and places for curious little ones to explore encouraging confidence building and risk assessment at an early age. The food that is prepared on site is always nutritious and has also really opened my son up to a range of delicious new foods which has been a massive bonus!I highly recommend this centre to anyone seeking a colourful, engaging, family focussed and friendly care service for their children!
    Anna BertsosAnna Bertsos
    03:56 13 Jun 22
    Our son has been attending the centre for a year now and have thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Enjoyed the smaller sized rooms and the attention provided by the staff. Wonderful daily activities for the children. Nothing but a positive experience. Keep up the great work!
    Caitlin PfingstCaitlin Pfingst
    03:53 13 Jun 22
    Springwood Early Education has the most amazing educators. We couldn’t be happier and more comfortable with sending our son here. We highly recommend to all our friends and family. Our son just loves his days here and the service they offer is amazing. 5+ stars in our eyes and more 🤩
    Felicity DennienFelicity Dennien
    09:49 30 May 22
    My little boy has started in the Nursery in April & so far I cannot fault this service. As a first time mum I was nervous & anxious to leave my buba but I now have such peace of mind leaving him with the amazing educators. The Manager is lovely & made the enrolment process very easy. So happy with this place!
    Jade PoidaJade Poida
    04:21 30 May 22
    My daughter loves going to daycare here and has made many friends with the children and staff at the centre. Our whole family has felt supported by the educators at Springwood Early Education, particularly throughout my recent pregnancy. Miss Indu helped prepare our daughter for a new sibling and gave us books to read at home as a family.Staff from other rooms also take time to get to know us and show a genuine love of community at the centre. Miss Jeni in the kitchen always greets us too and we love saying hello when we arrive and sharing news and interests with everyone.Rooms are beautifully prepared everyday, ready for learning and activities. Children are able to initiate play and build on their learning through encouragement by staff to expand their own ideas. Our daughter's interest in making books and stories has been observed by staff, who then encourage her and help her develop her creativity and imagination. I love that the centre has a child-led ethos and our daughter is given lots of opportunities to follow her heart and do the things she loves to do.Miss Kym is excellent at communicating with parents to gather feedback, seek discussion and provide information through a variety of avenues (email, Storypark App, noticeboards and in-person). This communication is especially helpful to me as a busy working and studying Mum. I find the regular updates have been exceptional throughout the pandemic to reassure and advise us, and the staff should be commended for their tireless efforts to keep the kids safe from Covid.I highly recommend this centre, our daughter will be sad to leave and start big school next year!
    RACHAEL BuenaflorRACHAEL Buenaflor
    06:27 23 May 22
    The ladies at Springwood early education centre were an absolute lifesaver. We left a prior daycare due to not feeling it, and my elder son settled in so well. He never asked for his old daycare or old friends once. He made new friends really fast.Their play area at the back is amazing, kids are able to explore and imagine play.Their education is second to none, my son has started learning from the get go. Number recognition, name recognition etc goes to show that they are learning in a safe and fun environment.Could not recommend SEEC enough, as a mum you want to know your kids are safe and happy when you go to work. That's exactly what they gave me so HAPPY!
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