Ekidna Cottage - Preschool, Childcare & Day Care Centre

Welcome to Ekidna Cottage - Preschool, Childcare & Day Care Centre, located at 67 Broughton Road, Artarmon, Australia. As an establishment, point of interest, and school, Ekidna Cottage has its own unique identity that is built on strong values of respect for the child, the family, and the Early Childhood profession.

Inspired by contemporary Early Childhood research and pedagogy, Ekidna's philosophy is influenced by the educational approaches of Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Steiner. Our Artarmon childcare centre believes in the image of the child as strong and capable, recognizing them as empowered and active authors in their own learning.

At Ekidna, we believe in creating a "pedagogy of relationships," making our preschool space a "home away from home" for the children. We strive to nurture and support the entire family, setting us apart from other childcare centres. Our relationships are built on reciprocal trust, respect, and a passion for helping children reach their highest potential. Our educators have a knowledgeable and innate understanding of children and how they learn as individuals.

We welcome children from Artarmon, Chatswood, Lane Cove, and beyond to our family-oriented preschool and day care centre. As the famous quote by Fred Rogers goes, "Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn." At Ekidna, we understand that young children's learning begins early, and their educational experience is composed of various encounters throughout the day, including spontaneous teachable moments and intentional teaching.

At our childcare centre, relationship is at the heart of it all. The relationships between educators, children, and families allow us to provide an early learning program that is sensitive and in tune with each child's unique interests, curiosities, and needs. Our family day care program encompasses thoughtfully presented materials and resources, daily group encounters facilitated by educators, and ongoing co-constructed projects with the children. Additionally, our program incorporates countless spontaneous teachable moments, such as playtime, transition times, mealtimes, and interactions with the environment, offering endless possibilities for learning and growth.

In line with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), we believe in intentional teaching, which involves educators being deliberate, purposeful, and thoughtful in their decisions and actions. We strive to break away from rote teaching and traditional methods, instead focusing on meaningful and engaging learning experiences.

At Ekidna Cottage, we aim to:

- Allow children to be connected and form relationships

- Encourage children to live in the moment and make sense of the world

- Enable children to learn, shape new understandings, and develop their identities

We invite you to join us at Ekidna Cottage - Preschool, Childcare & Day Care Centre, where we prioritize respect, relationships, and empowering children as active learners.