Our Transition to School Program

The ‘Transition to School’ program offered at Tillys Play and Development Centres has been developed by qualified Early Childhood Teachers in conjunction with feedback and input from local Primary Schools. It focuses on providing a holistic program that offers opportunities to develop a range of social, emotional, physical, cognitive and language skills.

There is equal importance placed on play-based learning opportunities and planned intentional teaching experiences between educators and children. Our ‘Transition to School’ program provides guidance for educators whilst allowing for flexibility and responsiveness to each individual child and group of children.

Educators implement the ‘Transition to School’ program for the children going to Primary School on a daily basis, however the underpinning principles and practices are embedded in the Preschool Room curriculum as a whole.

For more information on our Transition to School Program, please speak to your centre director or visit our Transition to School page.

Our Included Extra Curricular Activities

At Tillys Play & Development Centres, there’s always something extra to discover! We offer a variety of exciting extracurricular activities, all included in our daily programs. With different experiences on offer at each centre — and new ones popping up all the time — there’s always something fun and engaging for every child to enjoy!

For more information on our extra curricular activities, please visit Our Programs and Activities.

Sustainable Practices

At all our services we try to create natural environments and our Educators promote and implement sustainable practices whenever possible.

Our sustainable practices include but are not limited to:

  • Educating children on the importance of sustainability and caring for our natural environment.
  • Recycling within the classroom and centre
  • Use of recycled materials and up-cycling
  • Watering the gardens with leftover drinking water
  • Water and energy efficiency (water saving taps and turning lights off when not needed during the day)
  • Worm farms – selling worm juice to families and local pet shops
  • Veggie gardens
  • Composting

Dedicated Educators

All our educators are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and education.

All educators before starting at any one of our Tillys Play and Development Centres must:

  • Have a Certificate III, Diploma or Early Childhood qualification or be actively working towards one of the following qualifications
  • Have a current Working with Children’s Check
  • Have a current First Aid certificate which includes Asthma and Anaphylaxis training
  • Have current and recognised Child Protection training

OWNA

Our centres use OWNA, an all-in-one software program and app. Your personal OWNA account can be accessed via the app, and includes daily updates and activities, as well as a collection of milestones, achievements and special moments capturing your child’s learning journey. Children’s learning and development is documented and posted directly to individual families, who can then respond back as well as share photos and information.

The OWNA parent portal also offers and array of information and communication tools. Parents can write messages directly to the centre and their child’s educators, mark their child absent, update personal information, upload files or  pay fees.

If you have any issues using the OWNA app, please contact your centre director.

Individual Documentation Folders

Throughout the year educators put together an individual documentation folder or portfolio for each child which is a reflection of their time spent at the centre. It is a collection of milestones, achievements and special moments capturing your child’s learning journey.

Nutritionally Balanced Meals

Nutritionally balanced meals and snacks are prepared on site at all but one of our centres by our qualified cooks. Menus are designed based on guidelines set out by Good for Kids, Good for Life which is an initiative of Hunter New England Health.

A Tillys teacher and three children, seated on a blue patterned rug, play with colourful musical instruments. The children wear bright hats, and the atmosphere is playful.
Children and an adult teacher play together, stacking large colorful blocks in a sunny outdoor area. The scene is lively and cooperative, emphasizing teamwork.