Milestones News

Messy play isn't just about creating a mess; it's about fostering crucial aspects of a child's development. From sensory exploration to cognitive growth, messy play opens doors to a world of learning and discovery for babies and toddlers. In this post, we'll delve into the fascinating ways messy play contributes to development and why it's an essential aspect of early childhood. We also share some ideas and tips for engaging in this type of play at home.

Welcome to the fifth instalment of our National Quality Standards seven-part series, where we provide an in-depth look into the seven quality areas benchmarked against the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) standards.

Affinity Education Group has proudly partnered with the University of Wollongong with the aim of enhancing the capabilities of our Teachers and Educators working with children in our School Readiness rooms. By leveraging the expertise of academic professionals, and integrating evidence-based practices into our curriculum, we can enrich the learning experiences of our students and set them on the path to success.

Affinity Education Group has proudly partnered with the University of Wollongong with the aim of enhancing the capabilities of our Teachers and Educators working with children in our School Readiness rooms. By leveraging the expertise of academic professionals, and integrating evidence-based practices into our curriculum, we can enrich the learning experiences of our students and set them on the path to success.

The Lifelong Learning Curriculum was developed through extensive study of how children learn, what they learn and where they learn. At the Early Experiences age, research shows that children are learning to express themselves through oral language. Research also shows that children begin to explore the expectations, boundaries, and limitations within social interactions.

The recent data from the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) proposed an increase in Language and Cognitive development of vulnerable children. Based on these findings and other relevant research on children's development, our Healthy Beginnings program has proven effective in improving educational outcomes in critical areas. Here is some insight into how this is achieved.

Saturday 17th of February 2024 is Random Acts Of Kindness Day! The day was created by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (RAK), a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing kindness as the standard. Random Acts Of Kindness Day aims to enhance mental health and wellbeing, foster community connections and a sense of belonging, encourage empathy and compassion, and inspire change

With Graduation done and dusted, you and your child may be nervous about the transition into Big School. Here are five tips to support your child with this significant milestone and set them up for success.

As these transitions can be challenging for some children, Affinity has developed a process that ensures your child transitions smoothly into their next classroom.

Many researchers suggested that it can take up to 6 months to settle an infant into an Early Childhood setting! Click here to explore what behaviours your child may exhibit and how to ease this transition with our Healthy Beginning Educators!

Qualified and experienced educators, who develop warm, respectful relationships with children, create predictable environments and encourage children’s active engagement in the learning program.

This month we welcome many children and families to our Centres for the first time. We also welcome back the many thousands of children who will be transitioning into new rooms, and are part of our Affinity Education family. As we begin 2024, we would like to share with you more information about our Lifelong Learning Curriculum, which is the cornerstone of how we work here at Affinity Education.

Milestones Early Learning Greensborough received their third consecutive exceeding rating in the ACECQA Assessment Process. This remarkable milestone not only speaks to their commitment to excellence but also highlights the dedication and passion of the exceptional team of educators and management.

We are thrilled to share the exciting news of the opening of Milestones Early Learning Seaford, marking the third purpose-built centre by Affinity Education Group in Victoria with a pipeline of new centres opening across Australia in 2024.

These top 5 blogs have captured hearts and minds, providing a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about the growth and well-being of our youngest learners. Join us in celebrating the year's most-read blogs.

Affinity Education Group is excited to announce the launch of its yearly national awards, celebrating outstanding achievements and excellence within the Early Education and Care sector. This year, the awards experienced a record-breaking response, with more than 634 nominations received across more than 225 centres Australia wide. The sheer number of nominations is a testament to the Educators' enthusiasm and pride across Affinity Education Group.

At this time of year, many families are turning their thoughts to the festive season and family holidays. We know that December and January is a busy time of year, so we wanted to reassure you that our centres are not scaling down activities over the festive period. Unlike primary schools, we remain fully operational and focused on children's learning goals.

Research shows that children's development and learning is continuous. There are plenty of opportunities to learn regardless of the season. Consistency and predictability of care are essential benefits, as is a more gradual transition into the new year.

Research shows that children's development and learning is continuous. There are plenty of opportunities to learn regardless of the season. Consistency and predictability of care are essential benefits, as is a more gradual transition into the new year.

The Lifelong Learning Curriculum offers an abundance of research-based practices that ensure continuous learning during the holiday season. As a parent, you may wonder what development your child is progressing with during this time.

The third Quality Area addresses physical environment. Quality Area 3, as outlined in the National Quality Standard, strives to guarantee a secure, appropriate, and stimulating physical environment that fosters children's learning and development.

Affinity Education Group has increased its commitment to The Smith Family Learning for Life program again in the third quarter of 2023, with 236 individual child sponsorships now being actively supported on behalf of centres around Australia. The program acknowledges the importance of additional support for children facing disadvantages, recognising that such support is essential for maintaining their engagement in education.

Welcome to the second part of our National Quality Standards seven-part series, where we provide an in-depth look into the seven quality areas benchmarked against the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) standards.

Effective early childhood education is of utmost importance in a successful transition to school and love for Lifelong Learning. Our LLC program is dedicated to ensuring this is achieved all year long.

It is natural to wonder whether infants and young children can benefit from time spent in an early childhood environment. At Affinity Education centres, our Lifelong Learning Curriculum begins as soon as your child commences their enrolment with us, regardless of age.

Did you know that 1 in 4 preschoolers have developmental delays? This month we uncover proven strategies within the Lifelong Learning Curriculum that promote language, social and emotional development.

This month, we are highlighting the Lifelong Learning Curriculum, our signature educational program that operates within all our Early Learning Centres.

Your child is invited to join us during our Summer Program! Throughout December, we have planned additional exciting activities to help your child continue their early learning journey whilst benefiting from a rich variety of learning opportunities.

Milestones Early Learning South Townsville Assistant Centre Manager Joanne Sawtell is one of 10 Affinity Education Group employees who participated in the 2023 ELACCA ‘From the Ground Up’ leadership project hosted by QUT.

This month, we wanted to share with you a little more about early childhood education, what it means, and how it works, and give you a glimpse of what your child may actually experience while with us each day.

Our childcare centres are committed to a continuous improvement journey that enriches quality education and care delivery benchmarked against the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) standards.

There is so much research and focus on just how crucial the first five years of a child’s life are and how this has an impact on social, emotional and future academic success.

When children reach the Toddler stage, their confidence blooms as they know you are there to catch them if they fall.

Research continues to highlight the importance of the first five years of a child’s life as the most critical period in the life span for brain development (Fox & Geddes, 2016).

Milestones Early Learning Centres hold a range of activity-filled events, fundraisers and awareness drives throughout the year, with each centre having some autonomy to choose days they celebrate with the children and their families.

National Safe Work Month is upon us! Milestones Centres have jam-packed this October with a variety of events and programs to highlight the steps our centres and their amazing teams take to ensure the well-being and safety of those in our community.

Through the second and third week of September, all our Milestones centres participated in the Aussie Wildlife Champions fundraiser drive for the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

This month, we wanted to share with you a little more about early childhood education, what it means, and how it works, and give you a glimpse of what your child may actually experience while with us each day.

Early Childhood Education has proven to play a major role in a child’s transition to school, and here at Milestones, we have passionate Educators and Early Childhood Teachers who deliver a range of programs to extend children’s curiosity, growth, and independence.

Have you ever wondered what a Toddler's day looks like with us? Take a sneak peek into a Toddler’s day, where our Educators implement our Early Experiences Curriculum, which includes a reputable language program, and intentional teaching experiences every day to nurture your child’s curiosity.

When thinking about a typical day in the Nursery, it is common to have preconceptions about what happens and how the educators facilitate learning.

Over the week of the 21st of August, our Milestones centres celebrated book week through the power of dress up, imagination and creativity as our Educators and Teachers developed learning experiences inspired by the books the children read every day.

We are excited to announce that our very own Gabriela Savio, Lead Educator for Milestones Early Learning Darwin City, has been chosen from more than 30 nominees as one of only 3 finalists in the Northern Territory Education and Care Awards for 2023 in the category ‘Outstanding Educator’.

Spring is the season for growth, and at our centres, growth can be seen in every room, program and child in our Lifelong Learning Village.

Last week, all Milestones Early Learning Centres participated in National Science Week, one of our more loved and educational events of the year for our children, educators and teachers!

On the 10 July 2023, the Australian Government increasing the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) rates for families within Australia, resulting in reduced gap fees for some families.

From August 2023 onwards, children at Milestones Early Learning Centres around Australia will start learning about 18 endangered and native Australian species through the brand new Aussie Wildlife Champions program

The countdown is on to Wednesday, the 6th of September, when our centres will celebrate Early Childhood Educators Day. We’re inviting all families and caregivers to make a special effort to say ‘Thank You’ to the educators who care for and teach their children in our centres.

National Science Week is fast approaching, with the official date to launch from the 12th all the way through to the 20th of August.

Sensory play, messy play or creative play are just some of the terms used to describe a lot of fun!

Graduating from the junior rooms to the older 3-5-year old programs is a significant and exciting transition for young children.

Transitioning into care for the first time can often feel daunting for families and full of natural curiosities and ‘what if’ type questions, like “What if my baby doesn’t eat the food you provide?”

Separation anxiety is common in young children, it occurs when children are feeling nervous about being away from their parents or carers.

It’s that time of year when families begin to turn their attention to deciding where their child should be enrolled for their preschool or kindergarten year.

Graduating from one room to the next is a significant event for children, their families and educators alike. In this article we explore what you can expect as your child transitions from one room to the next.

Tummy Time is the activity of placing your baby on their tummy for short periods which over time aids in the physical development of your baby.

The Lifelong Learning Healthy Beginnings Curriculum for babies birth–1-year-olds emphasises the establishment of secure attachments and positive relationships between babies and educators through the use of Circle of Security and learning zones focused on play schemas that support babies' physical and intellectual development.

Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) has always played a vital role in the development of our Lifelong Learning Curriculum for children aged 3 to 5 years old.

Preparing for school is an exciting time in a child's life, and our staff are here to support your child during this learning journey whilst having fun along the way.

The Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) National Quality Standards sets a high national benchmark for early childhood education and care and outside school hours care centres in Australia.

Learning to use the toilet is an essential milestone in your child’s life, and as we know, each child develops at different rates; therefore, our experts suggest focusing on a variety of developmental cues, rather than age, when deciding to start the toilet training process.

Entertaining children when it’s wet outside, can be difficult for an excitable and energetic child, and our Early Childcare Centres know all too well what it means when the grey clouds roll in.

The Lifelong Learning Early Experiences Curriculum emphasizes the development of Toddlers' language and social development using the Abecedarian approach within our intentional learning zones focused on play schemas that support toddlers' physical and intellectual development.

Returning to work as a breastfeeding mother is a right for employees and parents throughout Australia and here at Milestones, we are committed to making this transition as easy as possible.

Our centres across Australia recognised National Reconciliation Week by creating activities designed to provide meaningful learning opportunities while having fun!

Milestones Early Learning Aspley’s Early Childhood Teacher Naomi Bowditch is one of more than 100 employees of Affinity Education Group who have benefitted from a fully funded and supported pathway enabling them the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.

Our amazing team at Milestones Early Learning Blair Athol held an early Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea on 19th May in honour of their beloved ‘Fighter Frankie’ to raise funds to support him as he fights Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.

Happy Mother's Day to all our mothers and guardians who facilitate a motherly role for the children in our care and beyond.

As educators of Australia's next generation, early childhood professionals are in a unique position of privilege and responsibility to support reconciliation. What we teach our children today will form the foundation for Australia's cultural beliefs in the future.

In Australia, Early Childhood Services are guided by the National Quality Framework regulated by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Sunday the 30th of October was Grandparents Day and marks the last day of Seniors month. Our centres have been celebrating to show our appreciation for all grandparents in our communities, and those, past and present, that play an active role in our children’s lives.

Our centres celebrated Valentine’s Day on Tuesday the 14th of February by creating Valentine’s Day based activities that are designed to provide meaningful learning opportunities, whilst having fun!

The involvement of children in fundraising and other community activities can help children develop respect for those around them. Giving back also creates a sense of accomplishment in children for having helped people in need.

The brand represents high-quality early education to support each child’s individual milestone. There are already more than 90 Milestones Early Learning Centres nationally, and this will continue to grow in the coming years.

Milestones Early Learning Wagaman are delighted to be one of a small group of finalists for the 2022 Kindicare awards. The awards are to recognise and congratulate centres on the outstanding early childhood education and care services they deliver throughout Australia through early learning, growth and development of the children they teach.

All our Affinity Education Group centres consider our families and communities an extension of our centres; therefore, our educators, teachers, managers, and support team actively engage and support our communities Australia-wide.

The children at Milestones Middle Swan have been collecting containers to help keep our community healthy. Our Middle Swan team has a strong sense of community and are involved in various activities that help take care of our natural environment!

Every day, our educators work tirelessly to create a safe and stimulating environment where your children’s love of learning can thrive. They do this by recognising, nurturing and extending their unique interests and talents to capture those wonderful child-led learning opportunities.

From nursery to five years old the importance of exploration in a child’s development is paramount to their emotional, physical, social, language and cognitive growth. Exploration is not all about providing an environment to allow them to run free… but an area that is safe, supportive, educational and above all else fun!

Today, Early Childhood Educators Day, is a very special day for our community. It’s an opportunity to celebrate and thank our teachers and educators for their dedication and commitment to ensuring high-quality early learning opportunities for all children.