The Benefits of Choosing an Early Learning Centre Close to Work

Two children wearing backpacks waiting at traffic light in CBD

Do you choose an early learning centre that’s close to home or close to work? It’s a debate that has plagued parents since the beginning of childcare history. While there are arguments for both sides, there’s nothing more exciting for a child than jumping on a bus and heading in to work with mum or dad. And, it turns out, there are several benefits for parents when it comes to choosing CBD centres.

Bringing your child on public transport into the city might seem a little daunting, but early learning centres located in the CBD or close to work offer many great benefits.

Our centres in the CBD provide children with all of the necessities of the day, including all meals and snacks, hats, and sunscreen. This means that families don’t need to travel with large bags when commuting into the city each day.

There’s also the extra family time (and peace of mind) that comes with having your child close by, as well as the wonderfully rich city backdrop that urban centres are built around.

Commuting with your child gives you extra work and family time

Choosing a Sydney CBD childcare centre often means you have the ability to spend extra time at work if you need to, before you have to leave to collect your child. It means you can make that last meeting or deadline, pick up your child, and spend some quality time with them on the commute home.

Drop-offs are also less stressful, allowing you to spend a few extra minutes settling your child in, safe in the knowledge that the morning travel and traffic are already behind you!

The CBD is a wonderful place for children to explore

Guardian early learning centres offer older children the opportunity to participate in cultural activities happening around the city, including parades, Christmas and New Year celebrations, as well as visits to botanic gardens and art galleries.

And no, you’re not sending your child to a glass and steel wonderland for the day either! Our Guardian childcare centres are designed to reflect the natural environment, even in an inner city setting. This includes plenty of natural and recycled materials and loads of greenery, including ‘living spaces’ like veggie patches, worm farms and sandpits.

What’s more, choosing a city-based childcare centre allows parents to participate in activities and events that they might otherwise have missed if their child attended a centre further from work (think Easter parades, nutrition nights, lunch and learn sessions and more).

Travel isn’t the nightmare you think it is

City-based services offer flexible arrangements so families can safely pick up and drop off their children each day. These include on-site parking or drop off zones located in or around the centre, storage for prams, and even parking validation for nearby pay stations.

Centres are also located within walking distance of major bus and train terminals with a view to offering families flexibility in getting in and out of the city with their children.

Sydney CBD: Exceeding the National Quality Standard

Every one of Guardian’s CBD centres (with the exception of Barangaroo – which has yet to be assessed) has been rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standard (NQS).

The NQS is a benchmark for early education and care and helps to give families a better understanding of quality service and to make informed decisions about the services that are caring for their children. Centres are rated in the following key quality areas in which we were rated Exceeding in all areas in all centres:

  1. Educational program and practice
  2. Children’s health and safety
  3. Physical environment
  4. Staffing arrangements
  5. Relationships with children
  6. Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
  7. Leadership and service management

We are very proud of our centres for achieving this exceptional result!

Interested in exploring one of our Sydney CBD centres? Head here and book yourself in for a tour.

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