Our Program and Approach
At our centre childhood is celebrated. When they play and explore, children's imagination and curiosity is sparked - they enjoy learning, and are inspired to continue learning more.
KU Braddon provides a calm, loving place for children to socialise with other children – our philosophy is that care and education must be combined in planning for the needs, interests and skills of each child.
We offer large indoor and outdoor learning areas, designed to encourage and enhance skills in all areas of development, while enabling children to explore and learn about the world around them. Some of the activities available at our centre include creative art, early literacy and numeracy, science experiments, music, gardening, block building, construction, yoga, Zumba, out the gate experiences, as well as sand and water play.
An assessment of each child’s learning is documented through a program called Storypark, enabling our Educators to adapt the program so that it caters more appropriately to your child’s individual needs and interests.
We encourage active participation from families at our centre and offer frequent opportunities for parents to contribute their skills and interests to the program we teach.
Our Specialisation
In addition to the high quality well-rounded programs we offer, all KU centres are also encouraged to develop an area of specialisation.
At KU Braddon, we specialise in Playspaces.
Morning drop off can be an emotional and confusing time for young children. This can be the hardest part of a day for some families and when it is the first thing we do in the morning it can play a big part on how the day will unfold. Playspaces are about building and supporting secure relationships with both children and families. It is about being emotionally available for children when they need it the most. Providing a predictable space for families and children creates strong connections and positive relationships between the three-point triangle (Child, Parent and Educator).
The implementation of Playspaces at Braddon has changed the way parents, educators and children view drop offs in the mornings. Parent feedback has been phenomenal with many saying that their drop offs have been much easier since starting the Playspaces at our centre.
Our Quality
Our centre has been independently assessed by the ACT Education Directorate under the National Quality Standard, and are proud to be rated as 'Exceeding' the National Quality Standard.
However what matters most is what our families think....
“Thank you all for the gentle, kind-hearted and patient way you do your work. You know my son so well, because you take the time to listen to all the important things he tells you with such enthusiasm. I’m very grateful for the way you manage to find time to do these special things with him.” - KU Braddon parent
“Thank you so much for taking such good care of Robbie since he started in the babies’ room two years ago… We have always felt so confident leaving him at KU Braddon – we know he is totally safe, cared for and in a much more stimulating and interesting environment than if we were to keep him at home… Going to KU Braddon has benefitted him in so many ways – especially his social and emotional development…The community that you’ve created is incredibly special. Words can’t really express how grateful we are for the important work you do and the way you do it. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” - KU Braddon parent
Our Environment
Each KU centre is unique. The best outcomes for children are created within relationships and interactions between children and staff, and children and their families, not within four walls. We work hard to create beautiful, interesting, homelike learning environments for children - whatever our setting.
KU Braddon is in a beautiful tree lined street in Canberra’s Inner North, walking distance from the city, and offers beautiful outdoor environments. The outdoor learning environments were architecturally designed and completed in late 2015 by a well-known landscaping firm in Canberra, featuring a unique water pumping station, decks and quality finishes.
Our playground is designed to maximise the use of the natural environment and allow children to play and explore as they would in their own backyard. We offer stimulating activities that arouse children’s curiosity and encourage them to choose from a variety of planned experiences, expanding their learning potential. Our playground includes natural elements such as sand, water, grass, mud, leaves and twigs, and we also offer gross motor experiences such as climbing, jumping and physical play. We foster the holistic development of each child so they feel inspired to create, imagine and play.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
KU was proud to launch its inaugural Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2016. At KU Braddon, we began our journey to develop our centre’s RAP in 2017 and we are proud to present it here.
