A Community Based, Not-for-Profit, Long Day Care Centre attached to the University of SA, Magill Campus. Established in 1975 as a playgroup by the Student's Association the centre has grown into a high quality, long day care centre used by both the university and the general community. Licensed for up to 63 children at any one time with both sessional and daily care available when vacancies occur. Staff & students attending the University receive high priority above the wider community.
The centre has two sections: The Garden Room educates and cares for up to 19 children aged between birth to approx. 2.5 years and the Forest Room that educates and cares for approx. 44 children aged between 2 years to school age. Opened for 48 weeks per year with a 3 to 4 week closure over the Summer period (CLOSED - late December to late January each year). The centre has adopted and follows the principles behind the' Start Right Eat Right' food safety and nutrition guidelines.
As the Centre has a lengthy wait list we do not provide tours of the Centre until a potential position of care is available. Following an initial tour families are asked to consider the offer of care and provide confirmation of acceptance of the position offered within 2 to 5 working days.
Our vision is for all children attending Magill CCCC to experience play-based learning that is engaging and builds success for life. The Early Years Learning Framework [EYLF] is implemented to promote interactive learning, foster the individual child's construction of knowledge and develop children's positive feelings of self-worth. 'Active Play' is a large part of our program. Through play, babies and young children explore and learn to understand the world around them as they come to communicate, discover, imagine and create. Uninterrupted blocks of time are offered to promote the many opportunities for skill and relationship development. Emerging independence skills make routine times (hand-washing, meal times, sleep or rest times, story/group times etc.) very important learning experiences. We encourage children to pack-up and prepare for meal times. Routines are flexible and integrated into the overall program and are incorporated as essential learning experiences.
The Centre is extending the outdoor play space to incorporate a more 'Natural Play Space' in which the children can explore, create, problem solve and enhance their cognitive abilities in order to stimulate and contribute to their healthy development. Research shows that children's social, psychological, academic and physical health is positively impacted when they have daily contact with nature.