Scots Mt Stuart Out of School Hours Care

Our out of school hours and vacation care programs have large outdoor and indoor spaces for children to be active and creative. We place a strong emphasis on activities such a climbing, ball sports, and gardening which develops children’s motor skills. Our environment fosters development of key skills including coordination, balance, posture, strength, and endurance.

Our early learning service features:

• Planned and intentional indoor spaces
• Large outdoor space
• Trees and natural shade
• Gardening beds
• Play area with climbing equipment
• Swings
• Recycling area to encourage sustainability and caring for the environment
• Gross motor play equipment for activities such as climbing, skipping, throwing and catching

After school, children often retreat indoors to play on devices, but at Scots Early Learning Mt Stuart we provide activities and excursions to help children get in touch with the outdoors. Children at our centre foster a relationship of respect and responsibility for the environment through key sustainability activities and initiatives.

To develop children’s relationships with the environment:

• We promote sustainable living and encourage children to develop everyday sustainable practises
• We take excursions that encourage children to care for the environment around them
• We encourage recycling
• We recycle water

Excursions are important to satisfy children’s inquisitive minds. Some of the locations we take children include:

• Parks
• Gardens
• Sport centres
• Bowling alley
• Movies
• National parks
• Zoos
• Museums
• Antarctic base Science Astronomy tower
• University
• School fair

We invite inspiring individuals and experts to the centre to teach children about a range of interesting topics. Some of our incursions include:

• Animal carers
• Reptile handlers
• Forestry workers
• Maths and science workshops
• Dance and music classes
• Life. Be In It.
• Aboriginal artist classes
• Cultural cooking classes and story sharing
• Santa visits and gift collecting for less fortunate children

We understand the importance of healthy eating in children’s early development. That’s why we provide highly nutritious food full of diversity and flavour made from fresh and homegrown ingredients. Children will never miss out as we can accommodate all kinds of dietary and cultural food requirements.

To encourage the healthy bodies and minds of your children:

• We grow our own produce in our garden including herbs, vegetables, and fruit
• We accommodate diverse dietary requirements
• We practise and emphasise food safety
• We work sensitively with parents and families from a range of cultural backgrounds to ensure cultural foods meet standard requirements
• We educate children and their families about healthy eating and nutrition
• We provide a morning and afternoon tea lunch box service for children in the Vacation Care program.

We understand the importance of family and community in developing children’s sense of belonging and connection. At Scots Early Learning we foster these values with our students through various activities with parents and community members.

Parents and families can get involved when we:

• We celebrate significant cultural festivals and days together
• We invite them to talk to the children about their job, hobbies or other interesting topics
• They volunteer their time to provide support and resources for our programs

We regularly engage with different people, groups and services within our community including:

• Local primary schools
• Local library
• Museums
• Local service people including emergency services and health professionals
• Wellbeing practitioners
• Indigenous community members and groups
• Animal trainers and handlers

English is our primary language for written and spoken communication with parents and families. However, we can have all forms of communication translated for families who speak languages other than English and we display information prominently in our foyer. We also have access to interpreters via phone when needed.

Our educators are experienced in working with children who live with a range of physical and intellectual disability or have experienced challenges and trauma. Our educators are equipped with the skills to provide safe and nurturing environments to all children

We work closely with Uniting staff trained in children's trauma. We also work with Kindergarten Inclusion Support and Safe Child Support services.

Out of school hours care

$16.00 per session before school

$30.00 per session after school

$73.00 per day for vacation care