Supplied image: 3 – 5 years yard
Jenny’s Kindergarten and Early Learning centre is Bathurst’s answer to children’s early education needs, and its rating of Exceeding National Quality Standard is backed with gold stars from parents and schools for its life-long learning approach and professional, friendly staff.
Enriched, challenged and supported learning
Jenny’s in Bathurst opened in 2014 and is one of 14 family-owned ‘Jenny’s Kindys’ and the first one this side of the Blue Mountains, but despite the sandstone wall separating it from their Sydney and central coast affiliates its operations are identical.
The Jenny’s branded curriculum has been honed over 24 years by their namesake/co-owner Jenny, an educator turned managing director and trainer, her brother Chris and sister-in-law Josie who are also managing directors of the centres.
Staff are carefully selected and supported in their training and career paths and tend to stay in Jenny’s family – something that returning parents notice and appreciate for the continuity and level of care anticipated.
Fish, and zebra and elephant yards!
The purpose-built Bathurst centre is based on concepts inspired by classroom needs and the desire to be a part of the community, and today the two storey facility meets an ever-growing demand of up to 120 children aged 0-5 in spacious animal-themed rooms connected to outdoor play areas boasting trees, gardens and great play equipment.
Kindy friendly curriculum
Jenny’s teach from eight foundational programs designed to inspire curiosity and understanding in their youngsters with the approach of valuing the child as strong, capable and resilient.
One of the most popular programs at Jenny’s is Urban Kindy, where twice a week children play freely in a park or engage in the natural environment finding leaves, flowers and more, drawing these on their notepads while connecting with the environment.
Her other curriculum elements encouraging childrens’ innate curiosity are the K-6 school transition program JK Prep; STEM for science trial and error experiments; Community Link (including clean-up Australia day, NAIDOC Week, The Nappy Collective*); The Art; Enviro Club (engaging with ‘reuse, recycle, reduce’ in daily practices, turning off the lights, garden care); World Travellers (looking at other cultures), and Mind Body and Soul (health and fitness and focusing on emotion regulation).
Music sessions run by external early education music specialists, cultural days with Aboriginal dancing and Dream-time stories, grandparents days and a ‘giving back’ shop for unclaimed lost clothes also helps keep everyone busy and growing.
Plus, special needs requiring individual support are managed by staff and visiting specialists with patience and care in dedicated spaces.
Munch and move – good for growing minds
Individual dietary requirements, allergies and intolerance are noted at Jenny’s for the daily Munch and Move meals, and special menus are devised for individuals with singular requirements based on information provided at enrollment and as changes occur at home.
APP-solutely essential
Parents and staff enjoy the Jenny’s Kindergarten encrypted app for peace of mind and convenience for viewing updates, finding parenting resources, class photos, chat forums, mentor reports, the day’s Learning Diary and inquiries – and is available on enrollment.
Open-door policy to first time parents
Parents and guardians enrolling a child for the first time can drop in at any time for reassurance and have limited hourly sessions of orientation to help transition their little ones smoothly. They’re also encouraged to meet their child’s teacher and child’s class mates and develop healthy parent-child connections.
Jenny’s Kindy in Bathurst takes new enrollments throughout the year and all inquiries are welcome.
Contact: 6332 6663
Address: 128 George Street, Bathurst
Website: Jenny’s Kindergarten and Early Learning – Bathurst
*The Nappy Collective – helping 1 in 10 families
Jenny’s Kindergarten is a proud partner of The Nappy Collective, an Australian non-profit collecting disposable nappies in all sizes in either full packs or individual nappies left over from packs which have already been opened.
Nappy’s left at Jenny’s are distributed via community partners to support families who don’t have enough for their needs. Help reduce nappy stress in our community caused by financial hardship, homelessness or crisis situations by donating today.
Alternatively, please make a donation of Virtual Nappies, register your business as a collection point or community partner here.
