Programs - Six Little Ducks

Outdoor, messy Play!

Outdoor play is the corner stone of healthy childhood memories. Playing outdoors, and with mud is more than just fun. There is a growing body of research into why kids have an inbuilt need to play in mud.

There is evidence suggesting that mud play is a basic biological need, and this type of play has many physical, psychological and emotional benefits for children.

MUD MAKES YOU HAPPY – New research has shown that exposure to friendly soil bacteria (Mycobacterium Vaccae) stimulates the immune system causing the brain to release serotonin, the endorphin used to regulate mood.

When designing our outdoor spaces we were very conscious to preserve our link with nature. We used natural materials. Carved massive logs into balance beams. Turned council deforestation into stumps for jumping. Where possible we’ve used natural materials, stone, brick, wood and of course dirt.

For further reading regarding the science of outdoor play please follow this amazing link regarding Forest Schools QLD and Mud Play.

Story Park

We use Story Park to help families stay in touch with children’s learning and development. The First couple of years are vital at building bonds and setting up children for success. We use Story Park to help include families in their journey at Six Little Ducks.

In real time, as it happens we record, and communicate learning via photos, videos and observations within a secure online environment.

You can provide instant feedback and we can plan new ways to extend children’s unique interests and abilities. Story Park helps your child get the best start in life by personalising their learning. Relive important moments in a private online community that grows with them over time.

Sun Smart

Alice Springs, more than most places in Australia, is a victim of the seasons. In summer many days are over 40. in winter many days are under 20, and there’s hardly any in between.

Our sunmart education begins upon enrolment with sunscreen and education about the environmemental risks. We take the risks very seriously as the sun can be a hazard in central Australia.

Our summer and winter programs are very different as we cannot access outside safely in summer after 11, and in winter, often before 11 its too cold. Below is a link to our sunsmart policy.

Menus and Nutritioin

For your child we have developed a well balanced food program working in hands with a nutritionists. Kids need a positive energy balance and the right range of different nutrients, and they need them at the right times.

Morning tea typically consists of various fruits with biscuits and cheese, and alternately we offer a vegetable platter with dips and rice crackers. This provides slow burning sugars and carbs with a good balance of minerals at the right stages of the day.

We provide a fruit/vegetable platter roughly every hour to hour and a half, with a hot meal for lunch at 12:30.

Our goal is to assist families creating healthy eating habits early, and know these habits carry on when they become adults and through every stage of life. Our measure of success is seeing your child happy and healthy.