#our purpose

Our purpose is to develop curious and confident lifelong learners

We are a family-operated and community-oriented service on a mission to support children to get the best start to life. Our approach has been shaped over 30 years of experience; we have been delivering high-quality early education and care to Lismore families since 1995. Over time we have strived to continuously improve our practices and have formed five key areas which support our mission.

What sets us apart

The five pillars below support our mission:

Learning through nature-based play

We know children are more grounded and calm when they are connected with their natural environment. We thoughtfully incorporate natural materials and loose parts throughout our activities and structure each day around meaningful time in our expansive outdoor learning environment. Children actively engage with nature—exploring gardens, running on natural grass, caring for worms, and growing vegetables.

Experienced and dedicated Educators

Our carefully selected educators bring genuine passion and extensive knowledge to children's early learning journeys. We prioritize continuity of care, allowing children to form strong, secure attachments with consistent caregivers who understand their individual needs. These stable relationships enable children to explore with confidence, supported by trusted adults through each discovery and achievement.

Structured and intentional educational programme

We aim to balance structure with play, giving children purposeful learning experiences each day. Children engage with literacy through interactive storytelling sessions while maths concepts come alive as they sort natural materials, measure ingredients during cooking activities, and problem-solve through block construction. Our Educators document each child's progress, adjusting activities to support their unique developmental journey while building the social and emotional foundations essential for their transition to school.

Holistic nutrition and wellbeing

Our kitchen delivers fresh, nutritious, house-made meals using locally sourced ingredients essential for healthy development. Children actively participate in their food journey—planting in our gardens and gathering for family-style meals where they serve themselves and connect with peers. Our educators thoughtfully accommodate all allergies and dietary needs while gently encouraging exploration for selective eaters.

Safe and hygienic environments

Children engage in learning through play in our natural outdoor environments, benefiting from fresh air and open spaces that support health and wellbeing. Safety is non-negotiable and we prioritise the wellbeing of children throughout all of our spaces, while our Educators skillfully guide children to recognise and evaluate appropriate challenges—climbing a fallen log, balancing on stepping stones, or navigating uneven terrain. Through these supported explorations, children develop crucial risk assessment skills and the confidence that comes from knowing their capabilities and limits.

What we commit to:

Our experience in early education and care reinforces the importance of key practices to give children the best opportunities at our service:

Building effective routines and attachements to settle and engage children

We have a structured enrolment process which is designed to settle newly enrolled children and support development of predicatable routines and secure attachments with Educators and peers.

Strong communication with families

Our role as Educators is most effective when we work in close partnership with families. To support this, we develop strong communication practices throughout children's enrolment.

Prioritising the needs and rights of the child

As a child-led service, we are training to communicate and respond to all children's needs within the bounds of our service policies and procedures.

Upholding safe and high-quality professional practice

We take our bond of trust with families and children very seriously. We are led by our research-informed policies and procedures and strive to continuously improve on our professioanl practice.

Empowering children to build curiousity and confidence

We see children as naturally capable, curious, and eager to learn independently. We promote agency and self-help skills within a nurturing and empathic environment. Our positive reinforcement and open-ended questions spark curiousity.

Engaging in meaningful, nurturing, and educational play

Our educational practice understand and builds upon each child's strengths and interests. It recognises that children effectively learn through intentional play.