Childcare in Southport Families Trust

Why everyday play matters more than expensive toys

Eligible families can receive $600 in credit over 12 weeks when enrolling for five permanent days at participating Sanctuary centres.

Our Mid-Year Summative Assessments are now available for families to view on OWNA. These assessments are more than a form. They are built from the Early Years Learning Framework (and, for our Kindergarten children, the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline), which sets out the developmental milestones we look for as children grow. Twice a year, our educators bring together everything they have observed, from everyday moments to learning stories and photos, to show where your child is thriving and where they are developing next. You will see your child's strengths and achievements front and centre, along with any emerging skills we are watching grow. Where an assessment shows a child may benefit from a little extra support, that is never a cause for concern. It simply gives us the chance to work alongside you early, so we can put the right support in place together and help your child keep moving forward with confidence. Your child's summative assessment is one part of a bigger picture. Each centre also runs a quarterly developmental monitoring cycle, where educators check in regularly on how every child is tracking against those same EYLF milestones, not just at the mid and end of year points. This means nothing is left to chance between assessments. If something emerges that needs a closer look, our educators can act on it early rather than waiting for the next formal assessment to come around. This ongoing monitoring is what allows your summative assessment to feel like a natural update rather than a surprise. By the time you read it, your educators have likely already been watching, adjusting and supporting your child's development all along, and the assessment simply puts that into words for you. This information also shapes what happens in the room. It helps us tailor our program so it continues to reflect your child's individual interests, strengths and needs.  Where it would help, our Diversity and Inclusion Leader is also available to join the conversation, to make sure every child is supported to thrive. As part of a positive transition to school, we ask all Kindergarten families to book a meeting with their child's educator to talk through their assessment. Thank you for partnering with us as we nurture your child's unique learning journey.