At Sage, we deeply value people and relationships. Our community is diverse, and we strive to create an environment that is respectful and welcoming to all.

We take pride in our role in maximising children’s learning, growth, and development during this stage, which supports positive outcomes throughout their lives.

We implement a holistic approach to learning and development, ensuring that our learning environments and experiences are intentional and purposeful. We understand that children learn best through play and when they are engaged in activities that interest them.

We support each child in feeling heard, valued, and respected, which helps to build their confidence, self-esteem, self-worth, and emotional wellbeing.

People & Culture

At Sage, we believe our educators are the key to what sets us apart. We foster a positive and fun work culture that creates a safe space where everyone feels heard and confident to share their thoughts and ideas.

The Sage team

Our educators are the cornerstone of our Service. They bring a rich diversity of skills, talents, cultures, and languages to our team. Passionate, experienced, and dedicated, they understand the importance of early childhood education and infuse everything they do with a sprinkle of fun and love.

Our team collaborates to create educational and age-appropriate learning experiences that cater to the diverse needs and interests of all children. They excel in building genuine connections with children and families and take pride in providing the highest standards of safety and care.

Leading the way

We understand people and lead by example. With over 25 years of experience in early childhood education across various roles and organisations, our team of highly qualified professionals is well-versed in best practices and innovative approaches to education. We bring extensive experience in establishing and driving successful, award-winning early childhood services to Sage.

Our expertise in training and mentoring allows us to proactively create a positive work culture, investing in the growth and professional development of our team.Our educators are the cornerstone of our Service. They bring a rich diversity of skills, talents, cultures, and languages to our team. Passionate, experienced, and dedicated, they understand the importance of early childhood education and infuse everything they do with a sprinkle of fun and love.

Our team collaborates to create educational and age-appropriate learning experiences that cater to the diverse needs and interests of all children. They excel in building genuine connections with children and families and take pride in providing the highest standards of safety and care.

Our curriculum has been an evolution. When designing the curriculum, we have incorporated the thoughts, ideas and research of many professionals spanning over decades who have developed a deep understanding of children’s learning through their extensive experience, and reflections on how children learn best.

The curriculum has been created with flexibility in consideration of the varied learning styles, strengths, abilities, skills, interests, and needs of all children in care. Children, families and educators have opportunities to lead and navigate the learning that takes place within the curriculum.

Our approach embodies the vision and values of the Early Years Learning Framework and is developed and based on these five learning areas:

Identity: Children explore their own identity and understand their existence in relation to others around them.

Wellbeing: Building on a child’s sense of emotional and physical health and wellbeing

Our World: discovering the world around them including communities, society and the natural environment

Confident Learners: Children being active participants in their learning are developing their skills and knowledge.

Communicator: Children will learn how to communicate, share ideas and connect with others.

Flavours of Sage

At Sage, we have a passion for food. We understand the importance of nourishing children’s bodies and growing brains with nutritious, delicious, and well-balanced meals. Healthy eating habits start at a young age, which is why we invest in educating children about food.

Menu

Our wholesome menu exceeds the daily nutritional requirements for children and is prepared with love. Developed by an experienced nutritionist, our menu nurtures both body and mind, providing the fuel children need to learn, play, and grow.

We are committed to working with families to create a suitable menu, ensuring every child receives five delicious, healthy, and appropriate meals each day. Our meals are not only tasty and nutritious but also visually appealing to children who eat with their eyes.

Menu Information:

• Our children’s meals adhere to the Best Practice Guidelines set by The Australian Dietary Guidelines & Infant Feeding Guidelines.
• Our menus are approved by the NSW Government Munch and Move Health initiative and their Practicing Dieticians & Accredited Nutritionist.
• The Sage kitchen overlooks the outdoor play areas, allowing children easy access to fresh fruit and water to fuel their play.
• Our menu rotates on a weekly and seasonal basis.
• As an ‘allergy aware’ centre, we maintain a nut-free environment. Our menu accommodates children with known allergies or those following diets based on cultural or religious beliefs.
• All meals are prepared onsite in our kitchen by our experienced chef.
• Our chef introduces children to a variety of tastes, textures, and cultural cuisines.
• Baby meals and purees are freshly prepared onsite.

Garden to Table

At Sage, we use fresh, locally sourced organic food. We take pride in using fruits, vegetables, and herbs grown onsite as part of our garden-to-table program. This program teaches children where food comes from, helping them understand it doesn’t just come from the supermarket.

Children are involved in every step, from planting and harvesting to using fresh produce in cooking experiences. They will enjoy serving and eating a shared meal with their friends, trying foods straight from our garden.

Family dining at Sage

We believe that a relaxed mealtime can help children develop lifelong healthy eating habits. The children will enjoy dining outside, surrounded by the sounds of nature, the skyline, city views, and our natural greenery.

We encourage family-style dining, where food is served in bowls in the middle of the table, and children serve themselves with the support of an educator.

School Readiness

At Sage, we embrace a holistic approach, ensuring that every aspect of our curriculum is interconnected and equally important. Our preschool teachers deliver school readiness across all developmental domains as well as building on their literacy, numeracy and self-help skills.

Our curriculum has evolved over many years of reflection and modification, leading us to understand the best approaches to early education. We believe we have developed a framework that effectively supports the roles of families and educators in a child’s learning experience. The child is at the centre of our curriculum, actively participating in their own learning.

This program aims to ensure that children enter school with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed.

Sage Pedagogy

The Art & Science of Teaching

At Sage, pedagogy encompasses all the actions our educators take to support children’s learning and achieve positive outcomes. Essentially, it represents our professional practice.

Our pedagogy is grounded in shared values, beliefs, experiences, and research into learning. We prioritise innovation and continuously seek new methods in education and care. We believe in play-based learning working alongside intentional teaching.

Our Pedagogical approach cannot be simplified to one method of teaching and learning. We don’t believe in a one size fits all approach to children. Our core belief is that children are unique and therefore our approaches should be unique and adaptable to the children who walk through our doors.

Excursions & Incursions

At Sage, we have thoughtfully organised excursions and incursions throughout the year.

The children will participate in regular walking excursions that provide a wonderful opportunity for children to explore their local surroundings.

In addition to our excursions, we love to bring the community to us at Sage. This is done through our reoccurring incursions planned throughout the year.

Let’s get active: Our weekly physical activity program lead by our qualified Fitness Coach, Jake.

Yoga and mindfulness: Daily yoga, meditation and stretching sessions held at different times for all ages

Jolly Phonics: Our recognised phonics program is integrated into the preschool curriculum.  Children learn phonics through repetition, characters, songs, and online games

ELLA: Our online language program where children explore a new language and culture each year

The library: Our fun library service allows children to practice borrowing and returning books in their very own Sage library bag.

Health visits: For your convenience the following services will be provided at Sage at allocated times throughout the year: vision screenings, dental visits, speech and occupational therapy

Learning Hubs – ‘Curiosity meets learning’

The children will be welcomed into an environment that is full of wonder and exploration. Featuring in the environment, both indoors and outdoors, will be the Sage learning hubs that are designed with your child in mind. Through the learning hubs we grow with your child adjusting our resources to support your children's ever-changing interests and progress towards reaching milestones.

STEM: Supports hands on learning where children can experiment and be innovative.

Imagination: Time spent in this hub offers endless opportunities for role-playing and acting out make-believe scenarios.

Creativity: The art studio is a place to explore all forms of art, including visual arts, crafts, painting, drawing, writing, and sensory and messy play.

Construction: A place where endless structural possibilities come to life.

Tranquillity: A space for calm and relaxation, offering each child the opportunity for quiet, solitary experiences.

The Yarning Hub: Together, we will take time to sit and have a yarn, sharing our feelings, ideas, and thoughts.

The Shed

Welcome to ‘The Shed’ a place where the children can put their building skills to use as they explore a range of real tools to bring their creations to life. Our fully supervised woodwork room encourages children to assess risks and make safe decisions.

Engaging in construction with tools offers a valuable opportunity for risky play, allowing children to challenge themselves and develop confidence and skills with new materials.

The Shed is an inclusive space within our Sage Centre that encourages children to connect with each other and the world around them, nurturing curiosity, independence, and creative thinking.

Sounds of Sage: Recording Studio

Recognising the significant impact music has on positive emotions, wellbeing, and self-regulation in children, we are fortunate to have our own recording studio, ‘Sounds of Sage.’ Here, children can learn to create and express themselves through the joy of music.

Rituals & Rhythm of the Day

The moment your child walks through the doors they will be a part of many routines. Some of these include arrivals and departures, mealtimes, transitions and rest periods.

Our rituals and rhythm of the day are influential in providing children with infinite opportunities for learning and development. Routines being reoccurring in nature, support children to practice and develop confidence with new skills.

Our daily routines for all age groups are adapted to children’s needs and abilities. As these consistent patterns of activities nurture children’s development, they also provide them with challenges and the security of certainty and predictability.

A day at Sage

With endless opportunities for learning and play, establishing rituals and routines can provide children with a sense of stability and security, fostering learning and connection. As children follow daily rituals, they navigate their day with predictability and confidence. Here’s a glimpse into a typical day at Sage:

7:00 – 9:30am

The centre opens and welcomes children and families. A delicious breakfast is served, followed by exploration and uninterrupted play both indoors and outdoors. Morning group time takes place in our Yarning Hub

9:30 – 11.30am

Children enjoy a fresh Morning Tea during our progressive mealtime ritual. This is followed by intentional teaching learning experiences, school readiness program and uninterrupted play and exploration of our learning hubs.

11:30 – 2:00pm

Children enjoy a nutritious lunch during our family mealtime ritual. This is followed by Rest & Relaxation time, both indoors and outdoors. For some children, this may include sleep time, while others might engage in yoga and meditation, or enjoy quiet reading time in our tranquility hub

2:00 – 4.30pm

Afternoon group time takes place in our Yarning Hub, followed by a tasty Afternoon Tea during our progressive mealtime ritual. Children then engage in active play outdoors, along with exploration and uninterrupted play time

4.30 – 6:00pm

Relaxing indoor activities, followed by a healthy late snack at 5:30pm. End-of-day conversations and farewells to children and families. The centre closes at 6:00pm