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Only About Children St Leonards Centre overview
Welcome to Only About Children St Leonards!
Only About Children St Leonards is a warm and inviting child care centre conveniently located on the Pacific Highway. Children are cared for by qualified and passionate educators, in a safe and home-like environment that facilitates play-based learning that is both structured and unstructured. Children from six weeks to school age are cared for from 7:00 am to 6:30 pm in this bright and airy centre, with all meals and snacks provided.
In the large outdoor play spaces, the children are free to dig in the sandpit, ride around the bike track, or play in the cubby house. Inside, the light-filled spaces use natural materials to encourage play and interaction with friends. Educators enjoy taking the children out in the local community for excursions and community activities that build on the children’s interests. This includes visits to the local shops, cafe and the Gore Hill Oval.
Centre Extras
- Dietitian designed menu prepared in-house
- In-house allied health specialists
- Nursery/Toddler/Preschool curriculum
- Full & half day occasional care options
- School readiness program
- Focus on nature & sustainability
- Nappies, formula, linen & sunscreen
- Daily photos & updates via parent app
This purpose-built campus is right in the heart of St Leonards, close to the Royal North Shore Hospital and St Leonards train station, in addition to a bus stop right out the front. It is close to local schools, with an underground parking area to make drop off and pick up times easier. Why not book a tour today?
Fees & Vacancies
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Enquire & enrol to get a week on Care For Kids*
*T&Cs apply
Only About Children St Leonards Service features
See more (13)Only About Children St Leonards service include:
Get to know us
About the curriculum
About the curriculum
Only About Children consider themselves much more than just child care. They are a place for children to grow, learn, make friends, explore the world and become school-ready. The children are exposed to a vast array of programs and inclusions as part of the daily fee.
The Grow Curriculum is the centre’s unique educational framework and the basis for essential early years learning and development. It includes core practices and programs that children are immersed in daily, through a balance of structured and unstructured play-based learning. It is guided by the Australian Early Years Learning Framework. Spanning nursery, toddler, preschool and school readiness ages.
The 4 key areas of the curriculum are:
- Left Brain Logic – Literacy & Language, Exploration & STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Math) and Sustainability
- Right Brain Creativity – Music, Dramatic Play and Art
- Health and Wellbeing – Physical Activity and Nutrition
- Social Development, Trust, Respect & Relationships and Resilience & Mindfulness
To support the Grow Curriculum, the centre also has relationships with local schools to help with the transition to school, including school readiness workshops for families.
Programs
Programs
Morning
Sam is nine months old and loves his days at Only About Children, especially when he is greeted with a warm welcome from his caregiver! To start the day the educators have set out open ended musical instruments for the nursery children to explore with purpose and concentration. Sam chooses an egg shaker and enjoys the sound it makes as he moves it from side to side. One-on-one time, group play and aged based learning are a priority at this age.
Sam then joins his friends who are enjoying a story with their educator, as part of the centre’s ‘Book of the Month’ program. Today it is “I Need a Hug”, about a tiny porcupine who wants a cuddle. Nursery children are introduced to literacy early on allowing them to become familiar with the concepts, text and illustrations.
Lunch & Sleep Time
As much as possible, routines are based on each child’s home routine. After a healthy lunch Sam goes down for his sleep in the nursery cot room. Sam loves that his educator gives him a big hug and checks on him while he sleeps. Cot linen, nappies and formula are all provided. He just brings his sleeping bag and comforter.
Afternoon
Sam and his friends head outside to the grassed area where the environment has been carefully designed to be safe, challenging and stimulating for children 0-2 years. As well as being full of fun outdoor activities it supports the development of motor skills, resilience and individual confidence.
Morning
Alex is two and a half years old and loves to join his fellow room friends for breakfast before heading out to the toddler play environment for an abundance of open ended materials and experiences. Alex and his mates are free to discover the space safely and independently with educator supervision.
The educators like to arrange activities in small groups in intentional teaching settings to support the children with their growing curiosity and sense of self. Today Alex’s group is collecting different shaped leaves that they will use in a creative project.
Lunch & Rest Time
Alex loves to help the educators weed and water the herb garden. Today he picks some of the mint to taste. He takes the rest inside to the campus cook to use in the cacao mint muffins for afternoon tea. For lunch Alex eats his favourite Chicken and Mushroom Risotto.
Busy toddlers need time to rest so this is integrated into every day. Alex has dropped his day sleep so enjoys quiet reading and relaxation.
Afternoon
The children are sitting on the mat with their educator to enjoy some nursery. Alex sings along to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and copies the educator’s hand movements.
Morning
Tess is 5 years old and likes to start her day with her Educator and small group playing numeracy and literacy activities as part of the broader campus school readiness program.
Lunch & Learn
The educators discuss ways that children can contribute to reducing climate change. Tess suggests that people could take shorter showers to save water, and her friends agree that they will try that too. Sustainability practices are so embedded in the day that Tess’s group empty the water cups straight into the garden after lunch.
Afternoon
Tess loves the friendships she has made at the centre, and gets great joy out of sharing their creative passions through daily music and drama. These programs also support Tess in her social, emotional and physical wellbeing too. All of which are so important for their next stage in life - school!
Meet the team
Meet the team
At Only About Children, the qualified and passionate educators seek to create a nurturing learning environment for the children in their care. They are committed to helping each child reach their full potential.
The educators help the children to feel safe, nurtured, stimulated and happy. They follow an innovative play-based curriculum, and use a small group learning environment where children’s successes, skills and challenges are monitored on an ongoing basis. Families can enjoy daily photos and updates from the centre, through their free app.
Health & nutrition
Health & nutrition
Only About Children offers a seasonal menu designed by a dietitian. All meals and snacks are prepared fresh daily in the centre, including breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack. The centre’s nutrition program is designed to meet individual dietary requirements.
The centre offers a health program which supports each child’s physical health and emotional wellbeing. Children are supported with allied health professionals in areas such as Nutrition, Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy & Vision.
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44-46 Pacific HighwaySt Leonards, NSW, 2065
Centre Reviews
The Educators and Management at this centre are the best I've ever experienced with my 2 children who have attended 2 different centres... The Educators and Management at this centre are the best I've ever experienced with my 2 children who have attended 2 different centres previously. The level of tailored care they have had for each of my kids is extremely unique and highly valued in my household. My oldest who is now at school asks every week to come back and visit her Daycare Educators (particularly Laju in the Pre-School room); that's how much of a lasting impression they have left on her. Last year when my daughter was prepping for Kindy, the level of personalised attention and focus she received from her Educators was incredible, as it paved the way for her now confident approach to learning now that she is in Kindergarden in Primary School. Her Educators knew her strengths and really encouraged and supported her learnings during her transition period in the last 6 months of the year for her before starting Kindy. They also provided us constant one on one feedbacks on her learning and focus areas, and provided resources to further cater to her learnings. Even though she no longer attends OAC, she is always welcomed back with open arms by her old Educators, who also continue to show interest in her development and learning as she grows up and is at her new big girl school. My youngest who is currently in the nursery room at OAC St Leonards absolutely loves her Educators Sarika, Suzanne + Ann), and the love and genuine care I see from everyone who looks after her shines through her happiness and her development. My little one has never ever cried at drop off, and on the odd occasion she is feeling a little attached, she is always approached by her Educators with a gentle, reassuring manner. The centre even provided me additional support and resources when we were struggling with her night time sleeps! Thank you Mariah <3 What I love about this centre is that you only need to communicate with them once on any changes/amendments your child needs and they are on top of it. From nap schedules, to food preferences, bottle time etc. Another thing thats shines through about this centre is the culture; from the Director Jess and Assistance Director Mariah, to the part-time carers, everyone respects one anothers roles and help out wherever it is needed. As Directors, they are not only in the office running the show behind the scenes, but they are also on the floor with the children, forming meaningful and important relationships with their fellow peers and the kids. Childcare is an industry that is doing it really hard at the moment, but as a parent, I've not once felt or sensed the difficulties up front; the behind the scenes juggle is not apparent to me, and I have definately seen the struggle come through at previous centres, but OAC have done an incredible job at managing this, without it impacting parents and children. Thank you beautiful OAC team! Highly recommended! Read more
Our two kids (1 year old and 3 year old) got to OAC St Leonards and they absolutely love it! Our eldest has... Our two kids (1 year old and 3 year old) got to OAC St Leonards and they absolutely love it! Our eldest has been there since he was 7 months old. The staff are amazing and attentive, and genuinely interested and concerned in the kids’ development. The centre is clean, the food they serve looks great, and they are always up to fun and stimulating activities throughout the day and the educators post regular updates on their app. Most importantly though, the staff are genuinely caring and have an interest in the kids and I feel very safe leaving them there. Read more
Hi Georgia, thanks for your great review of Only About Children St Leonards and for being part of the Only Abut Children family. At Only About Children we are committed to creating an environment where carers feel safe leaving their children and to providing the best care and quality education for each individual child. We are glad to read you are experiencing this at our St Leonards campus Kind regards Fiona
I have not found any other childcare centre as good as OAC St Leonards. I have had my children in different centres before... I have not found any other childcare centre as good as OAC St Leonards. I have had my children in different centres before and have finally settled here with the support of caring, passionate and genuine educators. How I wish I have found them sooner! Jess the director, has also been supportive and truly cares for the wellbeing of my children and our families' needs since day one. I am at peace to leave my children under the care of this professional team who respects, cares and loves them. My children are thriving there and it's such a joy as a parent to see how they learn and develop so much in their early years. Big thanks to the all the educators who are truly amazing in what they do! Read more
Hi Mary Ann, thanks for your wonderful google review of Only About Children St Leonards and for being part of the Only About Children family. We are so glad that you have chosen to settle at our campus and that your children are thriving. Kind regards Fiona