Above and Beyond Early Learning Centre in Avoca, Bundaberg, Queensland, is a premier childcare facility dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. Operating from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, 51 weeks a year, the center offers flexible care options to accommodate diverse family needs.
🌱 Educational Philosophy
The center embraces the Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, emphasizing child-initiated learning driven by curiosity and imagination. Educators view children as capable, competent, and rich in potential, encouraging them to explore big ideas and projects deeply. The curriculum is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), focusing on holistic development across cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and creative domains.
🏫 Age-Specific Programs
- Nursery (Birth–15 Months): Bright, spacious studios personalized to meet each baby’s individual needs, with a low educator-to-baby ratio of 1:4.
- Toddlers (15 Months–2 Years): Nurturing environments that encourage exploration, language development, and social skills, maintaining a 1:4 educator-to-child ratio .
- Junior Kindy (2–3 Years): Vibrant studios promoting independence and curiosity through play-based learning, with a 1:5 educator-to-child ratio.
- Senior Kindy (3–4 Years): Spacious rooms preparing children for kindergarten, focusing on identity, community connection, and communication, with a 1:11 educator-to-child ratio.
- Kindergarten (4–5 Years): Approved program aligned with the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines, offering 15 hours per week for 40 weeks, delivered by qualified early childhood teachers.
🌿 Facilities and Enrichment
- Outdoor Environments: Thoughtfully designed, age-separated landscaped areas that encourage exploration and promote physical health and wellbeing.
- Library: A special place where stories come alive, enhancing language skills, cognitive abilities, and fostering a lifelong love of learning.
- Atelier Room: An environment promoting knowledge and creativity, integral to the Reggio Emilia approach, where children can express themselves through various forms of art .
- Nutrition: All meals are cooked onsite by a qualified chef, adhering to the Nutritional Guidelines Australia and Eat Well Australia, ensuring children receive balanced and nutritious meals.
🤝 Community and Sustainability
Above and Beyond emphasizes collaboration with families and the community, recognizing their vital role in a child’s education. The center also instills sustainable practices in children, such as recycling, caring for plants, and understanding the importance of conserving resources .