At Fern Gully Child Care, our educational programs are designed to support each child as an individual, nurturing them to reach their fullest potential. Our approach focuses on the holistic development of each child, encouraging growth in their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills when they are ready.

Our experienced and dedicated educators create learning experiences that build on children’s ideas and interests, incorporating a variety of intentional teaching strategies. This approach helps children develop valuable life skills, deepen their understanding of the world, and expand their capabilities.

In the Kookaburra Room, we care for our youngest learners. One of our main focuses is helping them develop a sense of the world around them by fostering warm, lasting, and meaningful relationships. Each child is supported and guided with love, laughter, fun, and smiles, as they gain essential knowledge about their bodies and what they are capable of.

Our program focuses on helping babies and toddlers achieve their developmental milestones, from crawling and walking to talking. It is a joy to watch each child reach these important stages, and we celebrate their progress as much as their families do.

In the Echidna Room, we care for our preschool-aged children, supporting them as they prepare for the transition to school. Here, we nurture their independence, confidence, and unique personalities. Our program focuses on developing their communication, social, and emotional skills, while fostering curiosity and a love of learning.

Through play-based and intentional learning, we give children the tools and knowledge to explore their world, develop problem-solving skills, and build resilience. Our educators work closely with families to ensure each child is ready for the next stage of their learning journey.

At Fern Gully Child Care, we deeply value each child’s growing independence and unique capabilities. One of the most significant changes for young children is transitioning to primary school. At Fern Gully, we are committed to ensuring every child is ready to embrace the next step in their learning journey with confidence and resilience.

Our School Readiness and Transition to School Program is thoughtfully designed by our qualified and experienced Educational Leader, offering a holistic approach to children’s development. We believe that many factors contribute to a child’s successful transition into school, and our program focuses on fostering growth across all developmental domains.

Throughout the year, children in the Echidna Room (3–5 years) participate in a rich variety of experiences that develop their:

• Pre-literacy skills
• Pre-numeracy skills
• Social and emotional awareness and understanding
• Communication skills (written, receptive, and expressive)
• General knowledge of the world around them
• Interest and engagement in learning
• Understanding of rules and boundaries
• Self-help skills essential for independence

Our program aims to stimulate curiosity, build resilience, and lay the foundation for a smooth transition to school. Through play-based and intentional teaching, we support children to develop confidence, cooperation, and essential life skills that will serve them well in the school environment and beyond.

Our goal is to ensure that every child leaves Fern Gully Child Care feeling capable, confident, and excited about their next learning adventure.

At Fern Gully Child Care, we believe that strong partnerships between families and educators create the best outcomes for every child. We encourage and value family involvement and aim to keep you connected and informed about your child’s daily learning and experiences, whether they are in the Kookaburra Room (0–3 years) or the Echidna Room (3–5 years).

We use the KinderM8 communication app, a user-friendly platform that ensures seamless communication between the centre and our families. Through KinderM8, we share:

• Daily journals capturing your child’s activities, achievements, and moments of joy,
• Daily charts outlining sleep, meals, and nappy/toilet information,
• Important notices and updates directly from the centre.

Beyond daily updates, we are committed to creating a warm and connected community. Throughout the year, we host family events and celebrations such as cultural days, seasonal parties, and milestone ceremonies. These occasions provide wonderful opportunities for families to meet, celebrate their children’s achievements, and build meaningful relationships within the Fern Gully community.

We also understand the importance of flexible communication to meet the needs of all families. In addition to KinderM8, we connect through verbal conversations, emails, phone calls, and informal catch-ups at the centre. Our team is always here to listen, share updates, and work with you to support your child’s learning journey.

At Fern Gully Child Care, you’re not just part of a childcare centre – you’re part of a family.

At Fern Gully Child Care, we view each child as a capable, unique learner with individual needs, knowledge, and abilities. We value their relationships with family and community, and believe that every child has the right to be respected, safe, heard, and to learn through play.

As early childhood professionals, we understand the vital importance of these formative years. Our holistic educational programs extend children’s knowledge and skills, embracing diverse learning styles and fostering a love of learning. We see our role as shaping confident, capable learners who are ready to take on the world.

Families and community are at the heart of Fern Gully. We foster a family-centred atmosphere built on respect and reciprocity, encouraging participation, shared knowledge, and cultural diversity. We believe "it takes a village to raise a child" and actively engage with the wider community to enrich our learning environment.

Our spaces—the Kookaburra Room (0–3 years) and Echidna Room (3–5 years)—are viewed as the “third teacher”, designed to be nurturing, inclusive, and enriching. Natural and built environments inspire curiosity, creativity, and connections with our place, the land, and our community. We aim to create a warm, interactive, and calm atmosphere—a true “home away from home” for all.

Our staff are valued as individuals with unique strengths and passions. Together, we cultivate a ‘staff family’ culture, celebrating diversity and working collaboratively to create a nurturing environment that reflects the richness of our community and the world around us.

At Fern Gully Child Care, we believe early childhood is the perfect time for children to develop healthy eating and physical habits that will benefit them throughout life. We focus on building fundamental movement skills, promoting the enjoyment of physical activity, and instilling lifelong healthy habits.

Establishing a foundation of good nutrition, personal hygiene, physical fitness, emotional wellbeing, and positive social relationships is integral to each child’s growth. We recognise that physical wellbeing supports concentration, cooperation, and learning, while also building self-confidence.

At Fern Gully, we provide fresh, nutritious meals daily from a 4-week rotating menu, offering a variety of flavours and textures to encourage healthy eating habits. We proudly implement the Munch & Move program, which promotes healthy eating, active play, and the development of fundamental movement skills as part of children’s daily experiences.

Our beautiful, expansive playgrounds provide countless opportunities for children to explore, play, and develop their gross motor skills in a safe, stimulating environment. Whether they’re in the Kookaburra Room (0–3 years) or the Echidna Room (3–5 years), every child at Fern Gully is supported in building a healthy, active lifestyle.

We are proud to nurture healthy, happy learners who are ready to take on the world!

At Fern Gully Child Care, families consistently commend our nurturing environment and dedicated educators. Parents appreciate the balance of structured learning and child-led exploration, fostering both academic growth and personal development. Our unique setting, located near Baulkham Hills North Public School and just five minutes from Castle Towers, combined with our thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces, provides children with countless opportunities to connect with nature and engage in hands-on learning.