Education & Care For Every Age & Stage
Our services are designed to give children a safe, supportive and connected experience as they learn and grow. Across our centres and Family Day Care services, Grow @ Cumberland offers programs that support development, belonging and everyday family life from the early years through to the school years.
Service & Program Breakdown
All of our services are available across our network of Centres and Family Day Care Services.
Overall Learning Outcomes
Grow to Play
Grow to Play is an early learning pathway designed to support children from birth to three years, recognising this period as a critical window for brain development, attachment and foundational learning.
Making Connections
In our early learning settings, Grow to Play emphasises nurturing secure, responsive relationships between educators and children, creating a safe and stimulating environment where infants and toddlers feel seen, valued and understood. Through consistent, caring interactions, educators build trust and emotional security, which form the basis for communication, exploration and confidence in the early years. Families are recognised as key partners, with ongoing communication supporting a shared understanding of each child’s growth and individual goals. Grow to Play provides a holistic, relationship driven framework that nurtures well-being.
Growing Me
This pathway focuses on supporting developmental milestones across physical, cognitive, social and emotional domains, while honouring each child’s unique pace of growth through the creation of an Individual Learning Plan developed in partnership with families. Play-based experiences are intentionally designed to encourage curiosity, movement, language development, and early problem-solving skills. Grow to Play promotes early learning and supports children’s overall development while fostering confidence and independence.
Ready for Preschool
In each stage of this pathway, we are guided by The Early Years Learning Framework which aligns with our Philosophy to ensure children are achieving outcomes and reaching their full potential.
Grow to Play lays strong foundations for lifelong learning and development by supporting communication, exploration, and readiness for future learning environments, including preschool.
Play to Learn
Play to Learn is our preschool learning pathway designed for children aged three to five years, building on the strong foundations established in the early years and preparing children for a confident transition to school. This pathway continues to prioritise secure, respectful and responsive relationships, while fostering greater independence, agency and collaboration.
Making Meaning
Educators create rich and engaging opportunities where children are encouraged to express their ideas, develop friendships and build a strong sense of identity and belonging. Through intentional teaching and meaningful interactions children are supported to achieve goals, extend their thinking, communication and confidence to grow as capable and active learners.
Families continue to be valued partners, contributing to shared goals and deep understanding of each child’s growth.
Growing Minds
This pathway focuses on advancing developmental milestones across all domains, with an emphasis on critical thinking, language and literacy, self-regulation, and social competence. Play-based learning remains central, with experiences thoughtfully designed to promote inquiry, creativity, problem-solving and early numeracy skills. Through intentional teaching and the continuation of each child’s Individual Learning Plan, learning is tailored to support individual progress, strengthen learning dispositions and build curiosity and confidence in their abilities.
Ready for School
Guided by our Early Years Learning Framework and aligned with our Philosophy, educators support each child’s individual learning journey and readiness for school. Play to Learn provides a holistic, future-focused approach that nurtures curiosity, strengthens learning dispositions and empowers children for a successful transition into formal schooling and beyond
Grow Together
Available at select locations.
Grow Together is our school aged learning pathway delivered to children in our OSHC program supporting their continued development, independence and well-being beyond the school day.
Making Choices
Building on foundations of earlier learning, Grow Together places a strong emphasis on respectful, inclusive and meaningful relationships, where children feel safe, valued and connected within a community. Educators plan programs that encourage children to take on increasing responsibility, make informed choices and develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. Families continue to be valued partners, with open communication ensuring a shared understanding of each child’s development.
Growing Up
This pathway aligns with the My Time, Our Place Framework and our Philosophy to extend their learning through play and leisure in ways that are responsive to their strengths, interests and emerging capabilities.
A balance of child-led and intentional experiences promotes leadership, teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking, while also allowing time for relaxation and social connection. Opportunities such as group projects, creative exploration, physical activity and decision-making tasks encourage children to develop independence, responsibility and a sense of agency.
Ready for High School
Through positive interactions and collaborative experiences, children are supported to build resilience, confidence and respectful peer relationships as they grow and navigate the middle years of childhood. Grow Together provides a holistic, age-responsive approach that nurtures well-being, strengthens life skills and empowers children to thrive both within and beyond their school years.
Grow With Me
Available through select Family Day Care educators.
‘Grow with Me’ is our After Hours learning pathway with Family Day Care designed to support children and families outside of standard care hours, including evenings, overnight and weekend care. This pathway recognises the diverse needs of working families to provide safe, nurturing and home-based environments where children can rest, play and continue their development.
Through caring relationships and responsive routines, educators support children’s sense of security and belonging, with experiences adapted to each child’s needs and time of day. Learning continues through play and everyday meaningful interactions guided by the Early Years Learning Framework which aligns with our Philosophy.
Family Day Care offers flexible care that supports families and the holistic well-being of children at all times
Holiday Hub
Holiday Hub gives school-aged children a safe, active and engaging place to spend their school holidays at select OSHC locations. The program offers a mix of play, creativity, movement and group experiences designed to keep children connected, confident and supported outside the school term. It gives families a reliable care option during the holidays, while giving children the opportunity to enjoy meaningful experiences with others. Available during school holidays at select OSHC locations. ( Sherwood Grange & Ringwood OSHC)
Term 1
Autumn Holidays
Tuesday 7th April to Friday 17th April 2026
Term 3
Spring Holidays
Monday 28th September to Friday 9th October 2026
Term 4
Summer Holidays 2026-27
Friday 18th December to Wednesday 27th January 2027
How We assess Your Child's Growth
Observe
Educators observe, listen and gather information throughout the day, during routines, play, planned experiences and everyday interactions. They notice each child’s interests, strengths, questions, discoveries and ways of learning, while ensuring children’s and families’ voices are heard and included.
Assess
Educators use their professional knowledge, learning frameworks and information gathered from children, families and communities to understand each child’s learning and development. This helps identify strengths, progress and opportunities to further support each child’s growth.
Plan
Educators use what they have observed and assessed to plan meaningful learning experiences. Planning is intentional, responsive and shaped by each child’s interests, strengths and needs, with indoor and outdoor environments designed to support curiosity, connection and growth.
Implement
This is where plans become action. Educators bring learning experiences to life throughout the day, through play, routines, group experiences and spontaneous moments. They respond in real time, extending children’s thinking, confidence and engagement.
Evaluate
Educators reflect on what worked well, what could be strengthened and how children’s learning can be extended. This ongoing reflection helps improve planning, deepen learning and ensure each child continues to feel supported, included and encouraged to grow.
