Big Bear Academy North Rocks

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.