With a commitment to exceptional learning experiences and quality care, Edge Early Learning has plans to open up to 10 new sites in the coming year. The early learning group is growing to support the needs of families in south-east Queensland and surrounds.
Established in 2017 in Brisbane, Edge Early Learning has grown from just a few centres to having more than 50 locations across three states—Queensland, ACT and South Australia—in just five years.
The privately owned early learning group will continue at a similar pace to some of the region’s burgeoning suburbs.
Early learning centres open to support booming population
To meet the demand for quality early learning centres in areas of increased population, Edge plans to open four centres across Queensland within the next six months. In early-2023, it will open locations in Crestmead, Pimpama Village, and Silkstone. Morayfield East and Flagstone will follow later in the year.
Edge Early Learning CEO, Annie Bryce, says there is huge interest in the planned locations. Already children are registered on waitlists.
“Families are looking for a positive early learning environment that meets all their family’s requirements,” Mrs Bryce says.
She says parents are looking for a place that their child will love, but also one understands and supports their child’s learning and development.
“We’ve been undertaking a lot of research at Edge Early Learning to ensure we expand our footprint in locations that require quality early learning centres,” Mrs Bryce says. “Some of the centres, such as Pimpama Village and Crestmead, have already had a huge amount of interest, with families joining the waitlist ahead of the official openings next year.”
Ms Bryce says a large proportion of the areas Edge is expanding into are growing.
“We want to be perfectly positioned to support parents, families and carers with a place for their children to learn and grow,” Mrs Bryce says. “[We want to] foster a love of learning before starting school.”
Children sharing in a science experiment at Edge Early Learning
Enriching learning experiences
Edge Early Learning provides enriching learning experiences by instilling a love for learning through play-based experiences and modern resources. It focuses on four pillars—education, wellbeing, relationships and sustainability. It aims to set a high benchmark for early learning expectations.
“We’re proud of the development of our four fundamental pillars and these details, we believe, are what sets us apart,” Mrs Bryce says.
“The first pillar is quality education, as early learning is critical for every child’s development at this time of their life. We’re also very passionate about health and wellbeing, which is why our program promotes healthy eating and an active lifestyle.”
She says Edge wants to ensure children are building strong relationships with their educators, their families and their peers.
“We’re also mindful about the world we live in. We recognise the importance of educating our future generations about sustainability while also living this ethos corporately across the company.”
Edge’s educators work with families and the local community to provide a safe and inspiring environment tailored to the children in its care.
“We value the relationships we have with our community partners. [We] believe incorporating these relationships into children’s learning will provide a better future for everyone,” Mrs Bryce says.
Edge takes pride in incorporating a holistic style of learning. It’s inquiry-based approach allows children to ask questions, explore new ideas, and learn through play. The philosophy is supported by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), which focuses on the importance of play-based learning to guide children towards achieving developmental goals.
“Inquiry-based education is a dynamic and holistic learning approach. Our educators pose questions or scenarios to trigger curiosity and encourage children to investigate their findings,” Mrs Bryce says.
“Through this learning approach, we want to encourage children to have their own sense of identity, connect with the world around them, and have a strong sense of wellbeing. We want them to be confident and involved learners, and for them to also be effective communicators.
“The Early Years Learning Framework has been specifically designed and tailored to each age group to meet their individual developmental goals. Development goals for nursery-aged children are learning simple communicative gestures such as waving or responding to their name. As children grow and develop, they will learn how to play parallel alongside others and learn to share, be able to sort objects by shape and colour, or take part in conversations and tell stories,” Mrs Bryce says.
“Inquiry-based learning is particularly beneficial throughout early years in developing problem solving and communication skills.”
The sandpit at Edge Early Learning
Edge Early Learning’s 21st century spaces
Quality education and care is front of mind for Edge. There’s also an equally strong focus on ensuring each centre has modern learning facilities and play spaces.
Each centre offers a spacious environment featuring classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art learning resources. Large outdoor play areas include bike tracks, water play areas, sand pits, and adventure play equipment. Children can customise their play on the go.
The expansive indoor and outdoor play spaces have been architecturally designed. They suit the needs of all children from the ages of six weeks to school age. They include separate areas appropriate to each age group.
In-house chefs also provide nutritious meals daily, including, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon snacks. To encourage socialisation, meals are served in a communal setting. The added convenience is that each child receives delicious meals to suit their specific dietary requirements.
“Each Edge Early Learning centre has a unique environment that is both inspiring and challenging. It is curated to give our children the best opportunity to develop new skills and enhance learning,” Mrs Bryce says.
“We believe in lifelong learning and place the highest importance on play. It allows children to explore, identify, negotiate, take risks, and create meaning. It is their way of learning about their world.”
Mrs Bryce says group activity, team sport and communal mealtimes help build relationships.
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Building a community
As well as an essential source of care and education, the early learning years are also a cornerstone of community for families. Every Edge Early Learning centre that opens helps grow local career opportunities and form communities. On average, each new location typically provides 100 children with care each day and more than 30 jobs to the local community.
“A career in early childhood education can be highly rewarding and enriching,” Mrs Bryce says. “It offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many young children and their families.”
There are a number of employment opportunities available at Edge Early Learning centres throughout Queensland. These range from casual educators up to centre director positions. There are current vacancies available.
Edge employees are offered a wide range of benefits. This includes 95 per cent off their own childcare fees, an extra day of leave in their birthday week, above Award pay, paid attendance at all team meetings, school holiday leave for ECTs, training and development, and paid traineeships. To work at an Edge Early Learning centre you need to hold or be working towards a Certificate III qualification in Early Childhood.
Edge Early Learning People and Culture Manager Peita Heintzberger says the mission is to become Australia’s leading early childhood education provider.
“We want to empower our educators. We want to provide them with the environment, resources and support they require to create optimum learning opportunities for the children in their care,” Ms Heintzberger says.
“You don’t need to leave your prior skills, experience or passions at the door. We love bringing people on who have different backgrounds and different interests. We look to see how we can incorporate those interests into our centres to create rich educational experiences.”
The classroom at Edge Early Learning
Looking to the future of early learning
Edge Early Learning continues to grow with national demand to meet the expectations of parents seeking quality education and care.
“We are expanding into communities in need of access to exceptional early learning pathways,” Annie Bryce says.
“We plan to infuse our Edge philosophy, learning environments and teaching methods into our new locations. This ensure our children have access to safe and inspiring environments. They can create meaning about the world around us. They experience new understandings, and develop a love of learning.”
Edge Early Learning delivers quality child care to more than 12,000 children and provides more than 2,000 jobs. It is currently taking enrolments for 2023.
To find out more about Edge Early Learning and book a centre tour, visit the website.
