Nature Play
Nature play is not simply the act of playing outdoors. Nature play is specifically child-initiated and child-directed, it happens in a natural space where there is no prescriptive play equipment. Studies have shown that children get a multitude of benefits from engaging in active nature play.
Our beautiful leafy play area offers a variety of nature play opportunities to all of our children. With such amazing and tangible benefits, you can be sure your child is getting the best possible start when they come to Aberfoyle Hub Community Children’s Centre.
Why Nature play?
Children who play in nature are sick less often. Leaves, sticks, mud, sand, water and gum nuts can help to stimulate the immune system and build resilience.
Children build confidence and safe ‘risk taking’ behaviours more readily when provided with natural & challenging spaces.
Play in natural environments is proven to develop more advanced gross motor skills than just prescriptive playground equipment.
Those who play in nature have been proven to have lower levels of behavioural disorders, anxiety, depression and are more resistant to stress.
Natural outdoor play has been proven to stimulate children’s likelihood of active physical activity, reducing the risks of childhood obesity.
Bullying behaviours are reduced when children have regular access to diverse natural play settings, and they generally have more positive feelings toward each other.
It is documented that children who spend more time outdoors also tend to have better distance vision than their peers who are mostly indoors.
Play in natural environments stimulates imagination; children with excellent imaginations are rarely bored – a stick can be a sword, or a wand or a mixer or any number of things your child can dream up!
Meet our team
My journey in the Early Childhood sector started 11 years ago. Over the years I’ve had the privilege of working as an Educator, Team leader, Assistant Director and now Director. As a passionate and dedicated Director I am committed to providing children with a nurturing and engaging environment. I strive on creating a welcoming, supportive centre and building strong relationships with educators, families and children. My passion is to assist children and staff to grow in a safe and enjoyable environment.
I am an enthusiastic and caring educator with a passion for creating an inclusive and respectful environment through relationships and play.
The ManAgement Committee
As we are a Community Children’s Service, we are governed by a Management Committee that consists of families, staff and local community members. The Management Committee is the official governing body and is responsible for the effective management of the organisation in collaboration with the Director.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Decision making
Operation of the service
Employing staff
Policy making and reviewing
Property management
Marketing
Members of the Management Committee provide the centre with a vast array of skills, knowledge, expertise and experiences, in an honorary capacity. Members are elected to the Management Committee at the Annual General Meeting, usually held in October each year. The roles are entirely voluntary, however extremely important to the overall running of the business.
Each member signs a confidentiality agreement – the same one signed by employees, students and volunteers. Information about individual children, families, staff and management are kept confidential and are respectfully treated as sensitive information.
Volunteers in these roles are extremely valuable and necessary for the running of our community centre. If you’re interested in joining don’t hesitate to contact us.
Resources
Community Children’s Centres SA
Learning Together, Every Day.
Community Children’s Centres SA (CCCSA) is a trusted network of more than 100 centres throughout South Australia. Dedicated to providing the highest quality care and education for children aged from birth to school age, tailored to meet their individual needs.
Every Community Children’s Centre is an incorporated, not-for-profit organisation committed to developing each child’s full potential in partnership with families.
Nature Play SA
Established in 2014, Nature Play SA is a not-for-profit organisation that inspires the South Australian community to engage with nature in creative, sustainable, and meaningful ways. Our core belief is that spending time in nature fosters deeper connections with the environment and ourselves. And as curiosity and wonder transform into a desire to learn, a new world of understanding, appreciation, and respect can unfold.
KidSafe Australia
To make a safer world for kids by leading the promotion of action to highlight and to minimise the unacceptable level of risk and consequence of injury to children in our adult-focused world.
Child and Family Health Services
The Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) is a free service for all families with children aged 0-5 years living in South Australia. Our friendly and qualified team can help you give your child the best start in life.
Starting Blocks
StartingBlocks.gov.au provides parents with information about children’s education and care
StartingBlocks.gov.au is a starting point to:
- learn about children’s developmental milestones
- understand what to expect from an early childhood education and care service
- find services and learn about their quality ratings, fees, vacancies, and inclusions
- get tips on starting childcare or preschool, and what can be done at home to encourage your child’s learning and development.
Our aim is to provide you and your family with trusted information, all in one place – welcome to StartingBlocks.gov.au.
StartingBlocks.gov.au is brought to you by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
Parenting SA
Parenting SA is a program of the South Australian government. We have been providing quality information on raising children since 1996.
On our site, you can:
- find our popular, free Parent Easy Guides. They cover a wide range of topics about raising babies, toddlers, children, and young people from birth to 18 years. There are also Guides specially developed for Aboriginal and multicultural families. Many education, health and community services across South Australia have the Guides on display for parents to take
- come along to our free parenting seminars in Adelaide, or view our live webcasts and seminar recordings
- check out our range of parenting videos
- order resources.
Cancer Council SA
Aberfoyle Hub Community Children’s Centre is part of the SunSmart Early Childhood Program offered by Cancer Council SA.
Department for Education
On this page you’ll find helpful information regarding eligibility for preschool, how to calculate when your child can start preschool, preschool starting ages and immunisation requirements before starting preschool.
Australian Children’s Education and Care
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA – pronounced a-see-kwa) is the independent national authority that assists governments in administering the National Quality Framework (NQF) for children’s education and care.
ACECQA works with the Australian and state and territory governments to:
- implement changes that benefit children birth to 13 years of age and their families
- monitor and promote the consistent application of the Education and Care Services National Law across all states and territories
- support the children’s education and care sector to improve quality outcomes for children.
ACECQA is an independent national authority based in Sydney. It is guided by a governing Board whose members are nominated by each state and territory and the Commonwealth. The Board is accountable to Education Ministers.
