FREE Kindy in 2025!

Continuing FREE Kindy for 2025!

It has been announced FREE Kindy for all Queensland children will be available in 2025.

 

Kindergarten at LEAD Childcare is much more than a long day care service, we pride ourselves on delivering the same Government Approved Kindergarten Program as a stand-alone community Kindergarten.

Our Early Childhood Teachers are dedicated to delivering inspiring learning opportunities, building on and supporting school readiness in each of their pupils. Enrol in the 15 hours of FREE Kindergarten per week with the option to extend your child’s learning journey beyond regular Kindergarten hours at the same LEAD Childcare service; benefit from a consistent educational environment and dedicated team, fostering a strong sense of stability and security in your child’s routine.

Our Kindergarten programs at LEAD Childcare are designed to prepare your child for a successful future, as well as aiding a smooth transition into Prep. Throughout the year, we focus on fostering skills such as making friends, building independence, boosting self-confidence and developing early literacy and numeracy abilities. Assisting with a smooth transition into ‘big school’ our Kindergarten classes start visits to their local schools. These visits help our children develop new friendships, build on their social skills and foster a familiarity with their future school environment.

Around this time of the year we work with our families and children in preparing them for their next stage in life; the transition from Pre-Kindy to Kindergarten. As our Pre-Kindy children look forward to their first day of Kindergarten, we are here to support them every step of the way.

Kindergarten is delivered in different ways at different services. For some services, 15 hours of FREE Kindy may be delivered over two or three days, with additional care paid for separately. If a child attends Kindy in a long day care setting, additional care may be covered in part by the Australian Government Childcare Subsidy. Follow this link to the Kindy age calculator here.

For more information on the Free Kindy for all, talk to your LEAD Childcare Family Support Leader, Service Manager or visit the Queensland Government website.

 

Term 3 2024 – As it Happened

Always an insightful read… The LEAD Bulletin reflects on the events and celebrations we shared in Term 3. Settle in and enjoy the latest edition of The LEAD Bulletin.

A brief snap-shot of events and moments celebrated through Term 3, with a sneak peak on the events happening in Term 4.  Published quarterly, The LEAD Bulletin is a great way to stay connected with all things LEAD Childcare.

LEAD Bulletin - TERM 3

Making Life Easier with Kidsoft

Make life easier and download the ‘Kidsoft – Made for Families’ app today.

At LEAD Childcare we use the ‘Kidsoft – Made for Families’ software app, allowing our families to manage their childcare bookings and accounts. Below are our in-depth features and tips on how this app will help streamline your childcare bookings and accounts.

UPDATING PROFILE & DETAILS

Create your family profile, update your child’s details and add or remove emergency contacts.
How to navigate the family portal.

MANAGING PAYMENTS

Update your payment details, set up direct debit schedules and make one off payments, it’s that easy.

MAKING & ALTERING BOOKINGS

Use your family portal to make new bookings or alter existing bookings.
How to create bookings for a child.
How to create casual bookings in the family portal.

First Nations Children get more hours of subsidised care

First Nations children can get more hours of subsidised care

If you want to use child care, the Australian Government helps cover the costs. It’s called Child Care Subsidy, or CCS. The government pays child care services, who pass the subsidy on to you as cheaper fees. 

You can get at least 36 hours of CCS per fortnight for each Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child in your care. This is regardless of the amount of activity you do, such as work, training, study or volunteering.

  • This may make your child care fees cheaper.
  • Young ones can prepare and be ready for big school.
  • You have more access to child care if you need it.

You can find out more about how to apply at First Nations activity test.

You do not need to do anything if you already get more than 36 hours of subsidy. A family’s CCS rate will continue to be based on their income.

Term 2 2024 – In Brief

Reflecting on the events and celebrations we shared in Term 2. Find somewhere comfortable and take your time to enjoy the latest edition of The LEAD Bulletin.

A brief snap-shot of events and moments celebrated through Term 2, with a sneak peak on the events happening in Term 3.  Published quarterly, The LEAD Bulletin is a great way to stay connected with all things LEAD Childcare.

LEAD Bulletin - Term 2 2024_LR

Getting back to Nature

Get back to Nature at LEAD Childcare

Bush Kindy or Nature Play is an amazing way for our children to truly connect with nature and extend their learning experiences.
At LEAD Childcare we are so grateful our Educators encourage Bush Kindy or Nature Play within their services.

Catering for all age groups from the Nursery to Kindy enjoy the unique immersive experience that Nature play offers. Bush Kindy / Nature Play provides many benefits for children’s development, such as supporting physical and mental health. It aids in building resilience, creativity and emotional intelligence and environmental awareness.

The earlier we share nature with our children, the more likely they are to develop a lifelong love of the outdoors. We don’t even have to travel far to enjoy nature, our Educators choose to connect with nature in their local parks, local nature reserves, the centre’s outdoor environments, garden beds and tough tray activities using natural elements from the environment around them.

Bush Kindy / Nature Play activities that engage our children include and not limited to: excursions to local parks and nature reserves, where children explore the environment around them, planting native trees, building cubbies with fallen branches, nature based magic potions using flowers, seeds, leaves and grass, observing insects and other fauna in their natural environment, the possibilities are endless.

As each LEAD Childcare service has its own unique philosophy and culture reflective to its specific location, children, families, employees and community – check with your local LEAD Childcare service to see if they offer Bush Kindy or Nature Play as part of their service based learning.

FREE Kindy for all!

Introducing FREE Kindy!

From 1 January 2024, Kindy is FREE for all Queensland children.

 

We all want our children to have a strong start to their education, it’s exciting to announce that the Queensland Government is making Kindy FREE in 2024.

What this looks like for our families, Kindergarten or Kindy is 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year and is FREE for eligible Queensland children.

Who is eligible for FREE Kindy? Children aged at least 4 years of age by 30 June in the year before they attend Prep. Children attending an approved Kindergarten Program, delivered by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher will be eligible for FREE Kindy, including approved Kindergarten Programs within a long day care setting.

Follow this link to the Kindy age calculator here.

Kindergarten is delivered in different ways at different services. For some services, 15 hours of free Kindy may be delivered over two or three days, with additional care paid for separately. If a child attends Kindy in a long day care setting, additional care may be covered in part by the Australian Government Childcare Subsidy.

Kindy is a place where your little one will make friends, explore new environments, build confidence and have fun learning. Kindy offers meaningful experiences and interactions that support your child’s early learning, wellbeing and development, now and into the future.

There are so many benefits you will see your child gain through attending Kindy, an opportunity for your child to build independence and a sense of identity through a range of fun and challenging experiences. By interacting with others, exercising agency and engaging in life’s complexities and joys, children learn how to meet challenges encountered in everyday life.

For more information on the Free Kindy for all, talk to your LEAD Childcare Family Support Leader, Centre Manager or visit the Queensland Government website.

 

Celebrating Big Hearts

Educators’ Day at LEAD Childcare
– it takes a big heart to shape little minds

Every year in September we celebrate the commitment and the hard work of our Early Childhood Educators. Our industry dedicates one day a year to recognising the work that our Educators do on a daily basis. At LEAD Childcare we like to dedicate the entire month of September to our Educators. Showering them in gifts and appreciation each week to show them how much we appreciate and value the work that they do for our youngest generation.

We admire our Educators tireless effort in educating and shaping the minds of our children throughout their most important years of learning. Their passion and commitment is inspiring. Educators, we cannot thank you enough for your hard work, commitment and patience. You are the bone of our communities, preparing our next generation to lead the world towards a brighter future. You are loved and appreciated beyond measure.

 

Note from our CEO, Dr. Nina Hefford.

Dear Educators,
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I want you all to know, how grateful, proud and appreciative I am of everything you do, day in, day out!
We see you, we hear you, we value you!

You are LEAD Childcare!

 

A message from our General Manager, Shar Tukaokao.

We want to thank you for all the hard work you do everyday.  The work that is seen and the work that is less apparent.

Committed and passionate Teachers and Educators are irreplaceable hero’s in our Children’s lives. The appreciation is a lifelong reward that not only comes from this ‘Thank You’ message but in the memories your children will have about the time they have spent with you when they are grown. Conversation’s they will share with their own children as they remember the positive impact you have had on their life journey.

 

Connection is key at LEAD Childcare

Welcome all of our LEAD Childcare families, colleagues and wider communities to The LEAD Bulletin August/September Edition. The LEAD Bulletin is a great way to capture a snap-shot of the month that was, the month that is and a sneak peak into what’s to come!  Published bi-monthly, it’s a great way to stay connected to all things LEAD Childcare.

The LEAD Bulletin_August2023

Murrumba Village Now Open!

LEAD Childcare Murrumba Village

Now Open!

LEAD Childcare is expanding once again! The newest addition to our family is open and now taking enrolments!

Our dedicated Centre Manager Cathy has been working tirelessly to ensure that this brand-new addition is perfect for our foundation children.

This brand-new, purpose-built service offers engaging and inspiring learning environments for children from 6 weeks of age to school age. LEAD Childcare Murrumba Village features age-appropriate environments within light filled rooms and large outdoor environments for children to explore and play. Our spaces are filled with engaging resources to encourage children to use their imagination and ignite curiosity.

Murrumba Village will also feature a specialised art studio, heated swimming pool with AUSTSWIM Accredited swimming instructors for year-round swimming lessons, indoor/outdoor piazza for mixed age interaction and meal times as well as a large welcoming reception area for our team to engage with our families.

We have an onsite children’s cook to provide our children with nutritious, home style meals which include breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack. To view images of the Centre, further information or to Book a Tour click here.

 

Introducing our Centre Manager, Cathy!

“I started working within the Early Education Industry when I was 17 years old and have always had a passion for the early years. I have worked with children of all ages and in many roles, from Assistant Educator to a General Manager.

I am married with three children and have two dogs. When I am away from the Service I love fishing, going to the beach and camping!

I am passionate about creating stimulating learning environments and maintaining high quality care and education across the service. Working in the Early Education Industry provides an opportunity to make a real difference in the way a child approaches learning for life. You can encourage, nurture and support positive outcomes for children’s health, well-being and learning during the most important developmental years of a child’s life.

I am most excited about building a community at Murrumba Village. A community where children have the opportunity to learn and grow together!”

Interested in enrolling? Send our friendly Centre Manager Cathy an email at [email protected] or submit an enquiry through the website.

We are searching for the perfect team for our brand-new Service. If you are interested in a position with us, email your cover letter and resume to [email protected].