New $7m early learning childhood centre offering chef-cooked meals opens in Frenchs Forest
A posh new childcare centre had landed in Frenchs Forest bringing children chef-cooked meals, veggie gardens and an innovative curriculum based on neuroscience.
Manly
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A $7 million state-of-the-art early learning childhood centre and preschool has opened at Frenchs Forest offering chef-cooked meals and veggie gardens, spanning over three levels.
MindChamps Early Learning and Preschool Centre will start operating in January 2020 with capacity for 94 children aged six weeks to six-years-old.
Health Minister and Wakehurst MP Brad Hazzard cut the ribbon at the opening.
“There is nothing more important than education and nothing more valuable than an educator that can inspire and that’s what MindChamps is about,” he said.
MindChamps takes an innovative teaching approach.
Founder and CEO David Chiem explained why they’re so different to other childcare centres.
“Our curriculum is based on neuroscience and research in education, psychology and theatre,” Mr Chiem said. “We had a vision to fill in the gaps in early childhood education and realised it’s pointless teaching children the same way when the future is going to look different.
“Artificial Intelligence is fast becoming part of our lives.
“Skill set will soon become obsolete so that’s why mindset is so important. At MindChamps we have introduced a three-mind model to help children develop a champion mind, a creative mind and a learning mind. Each classroom has six learning zones to develop those three minds.”
He said each classroom is set up like a stage where children are taught through song and dance.
Mr Chiem’s background is in cinema and theatre.
“I ended up here because of my passion as a storyteller. I also had interesting beginnings, coming to Australia on a boat as a Vietnamese refugee.
“I didn’t know a word of English on my first day at primary school but I had a great teacher. I remember this other Vietnamese student was trying to translate things for me and she called me stupid.
“Since then, I’ve worked hard but after all the things I’ve accomplished today, the number one accomplishment that has meant the most to me was when I received a certificate for topping the class in primary school.”
MindChamps has 21 centres in Australia and has since expanded to seven other countries.
The new Frenchs Forest centre is also expected to boost local employment with 30 job openings in the childcare centre.
In addition to an on-site chef and a farm-to-fork program, MindChamps also provides nappies and baby formula.
The daily prices are: $145 for nursery, $135 for toddler and $125 for preschool.