Meet the Nominated Supervisor - Miss Jessica is the Centre Director of Big Bear Academy’s North Rocks service.

Her early childhood journey began nine years ago as a trainee, and she remains just as passionate today about supporting children and their families through their formative years. After many years of balancing work and study, one of Jessica’s proudest achievements has been graduating with a Master of Teaching (Birth-5) from Western Sydney University.

As a Director, Jessica has embraced this role with enthusiasm and dedication. She describes Big Bear Academy as the best environment to learn and grow, thanks to the strong support she has received from the Approved Providers and the wider management team. Their guidance has empowered her to confidently take this exciting next step in her career.

At Big Bear Academy North Rocks, our team is made up of passionate and dedicated educators who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the centre. Among our staff, you’ll find a diverse mix of Diploma-qualified educators, university-trained Early Childhood Teachers, and educators currently completing their studies.

We are also proud to have bilingual educators within our team, reflecting the cultural diversity of our community and supporting children in developing strong communication skills and cultural awareness.

Languages Spoken by Staff:
Ms Stella – Chinese (Mon, Wed, Thurs)
Ms Moj – Farsi (Daily)
Ms Aleks – Polish (Daily)
Ms Eliska – German (Tues–Fri)

Just as importantly, child safety is at the very core of everything we do. All of our educators hold current Working With Children Checks and undergo regularly updated training in Child Protection, CPR, and First Aid. These sessions are not one-off but refreshed throughout the year to ensure our team remains up to date with NSW regulations and best practices. This ongoing focus means families can feel confident that their children are always cared for in the safest possible environment.

This balance of qualifications, experience, cultural perspectives, and rigorous safety training ensures children benefit from academic knowledge, practical expertise, and a truly inclusive learning environment. Our educators work collaboratively to create a warm, nurturing space where every child feels supported, valued, and encouraged to thrive.

Together, Jessica and the team are committed to delivering the highest standards of education and care, guided by a shared passion for shaping confident, capable, and curious learners.

At Big Bear Academy, learning is purposeful, engaging, and tailored to every child. Our curriculum is updated weekly by our educators to reflect each child’s developmental goals, unique interests, and the valuable input of families and our wider community. This ensures every child experiences meaningful learning opportunities that inspire curiosity, creativity, and growth.

We take pride in offering a well-rounded program that nurtures the whole child - academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Children are encouraged to explore, problem-solve, and build lifelong skills in an environment that is safe, inclusive, and supportive.

Our Program Includes:
Table & Mat Activities - structured and free-play learning experiences
Phonics & Literacy - building communication and early reading skills
Science & Technology - fostering discovery, experimentation, and innovation
Socialisation & Self-Help Skills - supporting independence and positive relationships
Numeracy - developing foundational maths skills through play and real-life activities
Gross Motor Skills - outdoor play, balance, coordination, and movement
Fine Motor Skills - strengthening hands and minds through hands-on activities
Arts & Crafts - encouraging creativity, imagination, and self-expression
Music & Movement - rhythm, dance, and the joy of music
Cognitive Activities - problem-solving, memory, and critical thinking
Wellbeing Activities - mindfulness, relaxation, and positive emotional development

By combining structured experiences with child-led exploration, we provide children with the tools to become confident learners, creative thinkers, and compassionate individuals - setting the foundation for success in school and beyond.

School Readiness Program: At Big Bear Academy, we know that starting school is one of the biggest milestones in a child’s life. Our School Readiness Program is thoughtfully designed to equip children with the essential skills, confidence, and independence they need to thrive in formal schooling.

Blending structured learning with play-based experiences, our program develops:

Early Literacy & Numeracy – letter recognition, phonics, basic counting, and problem-solving.

Social & Emotional Skills – cooperation, turn-taking, resilience, patience, and effective communication.

Independence – managing personal tasks such as dressing, tidying, and following routines.

We tailor activities to each child’s pace and interests, ensuring every learner feels supported, motivated, and inspired. By the time your child transitions to school, they will have developed the skills, behaviours, and enthusiasm needed to embrace new challenges with confidence and curiosity.

Incursions & Excursions: Our educational program extends well beyond the classroom. We proudly celebrate our multicultural community and provide enriching incursions and excursions that broaden children’s horizons and bring learning to life.

Best of all - these experiences are included in our fees with no additional cost to families.

Highlights include:

Healthy Harold - promoting health, nutrition, and wellbeing.
Local Emergency Services - learning about safety and community roles.
Creature Feature - hands-on encounters with native Australian animals.
IndigiGrow - connecting with First Nations culture, sustainability, and environment.
Science & Nature Programs - sparking curiosity through real-world exploration.

These experiences inspire curiosity, promote empathy, and enrich children’s understanding of the world. Whether exploring culture, science, or community, every opportunity strengthens children’s social awareness, builds confidence, and deepens their love of learning.

We believe that nutritious food is just as important as quality education in supporting a child’s development. That’s why we do not set a budget on food - every meal is designed to be healthy, high-quality, and delicious, fuelling children’s growing minds and bodies.

Nutritious Meals Provided Daily: Our menus are carefully planned to provide children with balanced meals and snacks across the day. Fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are prioritised to give children the energy and nourishment they need to thrive.

Munch & Move Approved: We are a proud participant in Munch & Move, a NSW Government initiative promoting healthy eating and physical activity in early childhood services. Our team is regularly updated on the latest recommendations, ensuring our menus and practices reflect current best practice.

Allergy & Safety Policy: For the safety of every child, we have a strict allergy and anaphylaxis policy. Outside food is not permitted at the centre, reducing risk and ensuring all children are kept safe. Additionally, we do not use egg or nut-based products in any of our meals, and our team is trained in allergy awareness and anaphylaxis response.

Developing Healthy Habits: We encourage children to explore food in fun, positive, and engaging ways:

Learning to use safe kitchen utensils to self-serve some meal items.

Exploring food through play, such as using potato stamps for art or adding orange slices to activity boards to build familiarity with fresh produce.

Practising independence by washing hands before meals, putting items away after eating, and trying new foods without pressure.

By combining nutritious meals with hands-on experiences, we help children build lifelong healthy habits, confidence, and independence, while creating a safe and joyful food culture within our centre.