Acknowledgment

Little Wonders Early Learning Centre acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.
To view our Reconcillation Action Plan click here.

Community Networking

We are delighted to have strong connections in the local and broader community areas. We regularly receive visitors from our local area with donations for the children’s play and art experiences as well as time for conversations about what’s happening in our neighborhood.

Little Wonders Early Learning Centre also maintains connections with our local emergency services through incursions and implementation of their targeted learning resources.

Little Wonders Early Learning Centre is part of a networking community group of local childcare centres that keeps connected online and through planned meetings. We assist this community group by opening our centre for other educators for training purposes. Being part of this community group not only supports the educators of all centres but also the children and families in the community by working together. Our team also attend local community and training events where we can continue our networking and maintain these relationships.

We believe in the importance of supporting local and small businesses. We are always sharing and recommending family and community businesses through various ways. Check out our Facebook page and Instagram for pages we like and follow. There are lots of great community resources in our family library as well!

We’re also members of various online groups related to small businesses in the South and Illawarra as well as family businesses. We have established connections with many other local small family businesses, purchasing their products and resources for use and promotions at our centre, as well as sharing our journey as businesses in the local area. Examples of this include our use of locally made beeswax wraps and bamboo food-ware.

We have established and maintain a connections with the local aged care centre- Warrigal where children visit on a bi-monthly basis and have great relationship with the residents there.

More information about our community networking is available on our Curriculum page.

We welcome all community networking opportunities. If you would like to network with us, contact us today.

Community Events

In April 2017, our educators set up an event to raise funds for Autism Awareness, walking from Minnamurra to Kiama. It was advertised on the local radio and reached vast members of the local community who joined our centre team on the walk raising funds. We were able to raise over $600 that went directly to supporting families with children diagnosed with Autism as well as raise awareness in the need to support and include children with additional needs. This was a huge achievement for our educators in setting up and meant a lot to families at our centre and community who praised our centre for taking steps to raise greater awareness and understanding of Autism. Our business also donates funds to the Autism Awareness foundation in support of this cause.

Annually our children go on a bus excursion to the Illawarra Rural Fire Service Control Centre for the community organised emergency services expo. This is a great experience for all who came along, providing children the opportunity to be an active member of the community whilst learning about one of their favourite topics!

Annually we have the local SES visit our centre. The children had drawn some pictures for them and we made a certificate of appreciation for all their hard work and dedication. Thank you SES!

November 2017- ongoing: Little Wonders ELC donates to the Illawarra Community Foundation through participation in the i98FM Illawarra Convoy fundraising.

2017/2018: We have had regular excursions to a local aged care centre. The children and residents built wonderful relationships and understandings.

February 2018: Cassandra, our Director, was interviewed by 95 Wave FM regarding nomination in the Australian Family EC Awards, during the interview discussed the importance of early childhood education and the unique practices and team of Little Wonders ELC for inclusion of all children.

2019: Part of the Business & Her- Illawarra Networking Group

2020: One of our teachers participated in the Great Illawarra Bake Off!
Our Director had a podcast interview with local business mums
discussing educational activities for children at home during
lockdown.

2021: Participated in the Early Start Discovery Sustainability Awards, entering our Humpty Dumpty made by the children using only found and recyclable materials.

Excursions are a regular occurrence at our centre. We visit various local and wider community places connecting to children’s current interests and developmental program.
In 2022 we were able to kickstart our excursions again and go to the HARS museum in Albion Park Rail. We also entered the Little Scientist Award as we become a Little Scientist House!

Little Wonders ELC continues to donate to local community organisation and fundraising causes. We are proud to support our local community and if you would like to let us know of local community events we can be a part of, please contact us.

Parent Resources                                                       

Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority
http://acecqa.gov.au/

Barnados Australia
Barnardos Australia is a leading child protection charity, supporting families and children in need
http://www.barnardos.org.au/

Early Childhood Australia
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au
Early Childhood Australia is the peak early childhood advocacy organisation, acting in the interests of young children, their families and those in the early childhood field.

Family Services Illawarra
We are a vibrant service that supports children, young people and their families, helping to keep them safe, well, strong and connected.
http://www.fsi.org.au/

Cancer Council
http://www.cancercouncil.com.au

Child Protection
For parents and carers | Office of the Children’s Guardian (nsw.gov.au)

Centrelink
www.centrelink.gov.au
This site allows you check your eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), obtain your customer reference number (CRN) and other application forms.

Code of Ethics
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/ECA-COE-Brochure-2016.pdf h

Children’s Health
Advice for children 0-5 years – Healthy Mouths Healthy Living (nsw.gov.au) 

Children’s Rights
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Children (unicef.org.au)

Department of Communities & Justice
Children, families and carers | Family & Community Services (nsw.gov.au) w

Department of Education and Communities
http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au
Information about a range of reforms to improve the quality of teaching in schools, to improve outcomes for all students, and to give schools greater authority to meet the needs of their communities.

Department of Education, Skills, Employment
Early Childhood – Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Australian Government (dese.gov.au)

Department of Social Services
https://www.dss.gov.au/
Our mission is to improve the wellbeing of individuals and families in Australian communities

Dental Care
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/oralhealth/pages/default.aspxE

Early Start Discovery Space- Wollongong
Early Start Discovery Space | Where curious minds play

Ear Care
http://www.careforkidsears.health.gov.au/internet/cfke/publishing.nsf

Eye Sight Screening
http://www.kidsfamilies.health.nsw.gov.au/current-work/programs/programs-and-initiatives/steps-statewide-eyesight-preschooler-screening/

Eye Sight Information
Identify Children’s Eyesight Problems and Symptoms | OPSM

Services Australia
Raising kids – Services Australia
Information relating to payments and services to help with the cost of raising a child.

Immunisation History Statement
www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/online-services/index.jsp

Indigenous Services Australia
http://www.indigenousservices.com.au/
Indigenous Services Australia can provide your organisation with Indigenous representation at community consultations, negotiations, functions and programsC

KidSafe NSW
http://www.kidsafensw.org/

Medicare Australia
www.medicareaustralia.gov.au

Munch & Move
https://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/campaigns-programs/about-munch-move.aspx

National Health and Medical Research Council
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines/publications/ch55
Find a copy of the latest edition of Staying Healthy in Childcare

Paint Shellharbour REad
Paint Shellharbour REaD | Facebook

SunSmart NSW
http://www.sunsmartnsw.com.au/

Sustainability
Sustainability | NSW Environment, Energy and Science

Speech Pathology Australia
http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/

Safe Sleeping
http://www.sidsandkids.org/

Staying Healthy in Early Childhood
ch55-staying-healthy.pdf (nhmrc.gov.au)

Starting Blocks
Family information for first steps enrolling in early years care
StartingBlocks.gov.au I Early Childhood Education & Care

UNICEF Australia
http://www.unicef.org.au/