Rooms
Bilby
1 to 2 Years
The Bilby room caters for 1 - 2 year olds. The Bilby room is a gentle, aesthetically pleasing environment with plenty of natural light for young children to explore and play.
It accommodates up to 16 children with five educators, who have a strong emphasis on building trusting relationships with every child and family member, which is essential for development.
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Educators take time to learn about each child and their daily routine and needs. Families are encouraged to have a thorough handover in the mornings to ensure their child‘s day can be as relaxing and as close to the home routine as possible.
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Programming within the room is designed around the children, and often initiated by them. Families are encouraged to share comments or special occasions they have had over the weekend in the communication book. Comments can then be transferred into the room program.
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Each day educators take photos of children participating in play, which are then used to plan future experiences and are displayed in a portfolio. There are always plenty of sensory activities and experiences to explore, a key focus of children this age.
Routine
Children in the Bilby room thrive in an environment that repeats the same routines. Children at this age need to feel safe, secure and settled in their environment where they are able to gain confidence and trust in the staff. Educators work closely with the children to support their development by planning the days routine similar to one they follow at home as well as ensuring flexibility is offered at all times.
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Children are more settled when they are able to predict what is coming next, for example if you turn the lights off and put the music on they know it is time for sleep, after their morning tea children wash their hands and begin to get ready for outside play by applying sunscreen and find their hat and now they are ready to play outside. Children enjoy being able to predict the flow of the day as this gives them a sense of belonging.
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The centre follows the Safe sleep guidelines and educators will discuss specific settling techniques with families to ensure each child has a calm and secure experience.
Bilby Room Routine
Time
Activity
7.30am
Children begin arriving
7.30am - 9.00am
Time to explore the room
8.45am - 9.00am
Children assist in packing up
9.00am
AM group time
10.15am - 11.30am
Indoor/Outdoor program – children will continue to explore both the indoor and outdoor program. This will also be the time when any incidental group times or intentional teaching experiences may occur and specialist program sessions are during this time.
11.30am - 12.30pm
Lunch
12.30pm - 2.00pm
After lunch children get ready for sleep/rest, any children not sleeping will engage in quiet small group and individual activities. As children wake, they will join quiet activities.
2.30pm - 3.00pm
Afternoon tea
3.00pm
PM group time
3.15pm - 5.30pm
Children will continue to explore indoor and outdoor program
5.15pm
Late snack
5.30pm - 6.00pm
Children help tidy classroom
6.00pm
Centre closes
These routines are flexible based on weather conditions, specialist program, centre events, and children’s individual needs. Morning group times will be an opportunity for the children to come together and begin their day. This helps the children to feel a sense of community in their learning space.
