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.
At KU Rushcutters Bay, we provide high quality early childhood education and care within a relaxed, safe and nurturing environment.
Our program follows the guidelines of the Early Years Learning Framework and is based on current and sound educational research and theories. Our curriculum is developed by our educators in partnership with families and considers children’s interests, needs and abilities.
Our program offers children the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of learning experiences and activities, each specifically designed to promote children’s confidence as capable, active participants in their own learning. Children are presented with a range of activities including gardening, arts and crafts, music and movement, physical play, block building, sand and water play, science experiments, early numeracy activities such as counting and measurement, and early literacy activities such as reading, drawing and writing.
Our centre is a welcoming and nurturing space where each child is immersed in a rich tapestry of educationally interactive experiences – a space where children are supported to be their own, unique selves, growing and developing a sense of belonging and empowerment.
With a dynamic team of qualified and experienced staff, a wide range of educational resources and an active and involved group of families, our preschool is the ideal place for children to play, learn and grow.
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 Rushcutters Bay, we specialise in the appreciation of our natural environment.
We incorporate this into our program through activities such as outdoor play – we have a vegetable garden which needs watering and weeding – and as a result we can cook and eat our own produce. We also have a chicken coup and a mud kitchen, which promotes creativity and imagination.
We feel that the children benefit from this specialisation due to the fact most of them live in an urban setting, and it gives them a space to engage daily with nature. It also encourages children to practise sustainable behaviours and develop respect for the natural environment. Our program involves long periods of uninterrupted play in the outdoors environment.
Our Quality
Our centre has been independently assessed by the NSW Department of Education under the National Quality Standards, and are proud to be rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standard.
However what matters most is what our families think...
“Our three children have attended KU Rushcutters Bay over the past ten years. It’s a place that parents and carers are welcome to join the family. The playground is an oasis, set on the city fringe, where children from all over the neighbourhood and from varying cultures and family units, learn through play.” – KU Rushcutters Bay parent
“An absolute joy to see the kids develop and grow, form friendships and learn. The teachers give each child the best start on their school journey." – KU Rushcutters Bay 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.
Our centre is over 70 years old, and was purpose built as a preschool, so has a large interior and exterior. In our garden, we have trees which are over 100 years old shading our playground. The children can observe the changing of seasons at our centre, with beautiful autumnal and spring scenery.
Our playground is designed to allow children to explore nature and discover the natural environment. We want children to be able to dig in the mud, climb trees, discover and learn about insects and enjoy connecting with nature. The many activities we offer enable children to immerse themselves in the natural elements of their surroundings and feel inspired to create, imagine and play.
Our Awards
The KU Rushcutters Bay Team under the leadership of Director Helen Meimaroglou were recipients of the 'Making the KU Difference through Sustainability' Award in 2022. The award recognised their diligent practice of environmental awareness and sustainability within their urban environment.
The Making the KU Difference Awards were introduced a number of years ago, as a way of acknowledging KU staff who have worked above and beyond their normal duties to make a significant contribution to KU.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
KU was proud to launch its inaugural Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2016. At KU Rushcutters Bay, we began our journey to develop our centre’s RAP in 2018 and we are proud to launch present it here.
