The National Quality Standard (NQS), Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and My Time, Our Place (MTOP) have altered educators’ beliefs about outdoor play spaces in early childhood education and care settings. This includes how these spaces should look, how and when they should be used, the learning that occurs, and how each of these needs to be documented.
As educators, we welcome the National Quality Standard’s recognition of the close connection between the physical environments in childcare centres and the quality of the education and care programs they provide. We know all too well how poorly designed learning spaces and ancillary areas (e.g. nappy change, bottle preparation, sleep rooms) hinder our work with the children and negatively affect our own wellbeing.
The National Quality Standard (NQS), Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and My Time, Our Place (MTOP) require educators to ensure children spend sufficient time with nature to connect with it, develop respect for it and, with their educators’ support, learn how to care for nature and its creatures.
There is so much to organise when opening or refurbishing a child care centre. Staff, processes, compliance, insurance and enrolments … the list is endless. But there is one aspect of opening a new child care centre that can be fun and
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Nicky has worked in the Early Learning industry for more than 25 years in a variety of roles from Educator through to Centre Director, Area Manager, Advisory & Development Coordinator, Program Manager and Quality Advisor. Currently, Nicky is the Managing Director of a group of community-based Preschools in NSW. In this role, she has recently project managed the construction, fitout and opening of a new community Preschool for her organisation and it is through this process that she partnered with Step4 for the fitout of the new Preschool.
After spending part of her teenage years living in a remote part of the Kimberley in Western Australia, Nicky’s appreciation for the indigenous history of Australia began. Through her career, she has worked with and assisted Educators and Directors in their journey of understanding this important aspect of learning and history and how to ensure that their approach is collaborative, respectful and appropriate.
Nicky has recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Education as a specialisation subject for an ongoing Masters of Education. The extension of her own understanding of Indigenous perspectives was something that she wanted to support and this has assisted her in identifying ways that she can further support Educators across all levels and experience in reflecting on and extending their own knowledge.
Prue commenced her career as an early childhood educator before progressing to a centre Directors role. She later became an Area Manager supporting children, services and families throughout Sydney..
Prue has been working with STEP4 for almost 4 years now supporting services with their ongoing needs and requirements for resources, furniture and equipment as well as contributing her industry knowledge and design concepts to new centre startups. She loves the creative process of working with service owners, managers and educators to enable their vision come to life and create engaging and bespoke learning environments where children’s curiosity and engagement can be fostered. She loves sharing her passion and ideas and working collaboratively with industry leaders, educators and owners.
