Draft:Young Academics Early Learning Centre

= Young Academics Early Learning Centre =

Young Academics Early Learning Centre. is a family-owned and operated business operating 33 early learning centres primarily in Greater Western Sydney, New South Wales. Founded by James Kazzi in 2009, the business provides childcare services for children between the ages of six weeks and six years. The company employs over 800 permanent employees and cares for approximately 2,947 children across its centre network. Young Academics’ head office is located in the suburb of Homebush, in Sydney.

History
Founded by James Kazzi in 2009, Young Academics  a significant provider of childcare, predominantly in Greater Western Sydney, and is the only family-owned childcare operator amongst the state’s largest providers. The company currently operates 33 early learning centres, with a further 10 in the development pipeline.

Programs, Safety & Standards
Young Academics professional educators employ a play-based approach to learning with two signature curriculum programs: Evolution (0-3 years) and Transition to School (3-5 years). The Transition to School program develops foundational skills to transition into Early Stage One of the Australian Curriculum.

Young Academics embeds the Australian Government’s Child Safe Standards into its daily practices and its programs are aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework, which is part of the Australian National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care. Daily practices at Young Academics Early Learning Centres are guided by the principles underpinning the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics.

Centre Locations
Young Academics operates centres in the following locations:


 * Bossley Park


 * Box Hill
 * Canterbury
 * Cranebrook
 * Glenmore Park
 * Gregory Hills
 * Greystanes
 * Guildford
 * Harris Park
 * Hoxton Park
 * Kellyville
 * Kingsford
 * Marsden Park
 * Mays Hill
 * Merrylands
 * Narellan
 * Pendle Hill
 * Penrith
 * Riverstone
 * Rouse Hill
 * Schofields
 * Smeaton Grange
 * Tahmoor
 * Tallawong
 * The Ponds
 * Toongabbie
 * Westmead
 * Woodcroft

Partnerships
Young Academics partnered with an accredited practicing dietitian from The Lifestyle Dietitian to design its seasonal menus of five daily meals, and to train its in-house cooks. Young Academics has partnered with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Rugby League Club since 2022 as a Premium Sponsor and Official Childcare Centre Partner. This partnership provides children enrolled at Young Academics with access to professional sports players and coaching staff across activities including a training session, a morning warm-up fitness routine, and a half-time performance during a scheduled match to promote the importance of physical exercise for children.

Corporate Social Responsibility
Young Academics partnered with Dress for Success Sydney, a charity providing practical career development services for vulnerable women, sponsoring its annual charity luncheon and hosting in-centre fundraising and clothing drives.

Young Academics embeds indigenous practices and perspectives into its programs, meetings, and events to help close the gap for indigenous children’s learning and participation.

Each Young Academics Early Learning Centre supports charities in its communities which primarily advocate for children, families and the early education sector through various fundraising activities and toy drives.

Organisations supported by Young Academics have included:


 * Penrith Women’s Health Centre
 * Westmead Children’s Hospital
 * Red Nose Day
 * World’s Greatest Shave
 * Barnados Australia

Awards
In 2022 Young Academics Early Learning Centre was recognised by the Australian Lebanese Chamber of Commerce as the Business of the Year in Early Childhood Education.

News
Young Academics has been in the news periodically as part of current affairs and education sector coverage. Summaries of recent articles include:


 * 1) January 2024: Young Academics shared the steps it has taken along its journey towards reconciliation with Australia’s First Nations people.
 * 2) December 2023: Young Academics partnered with players from the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Rugby League Club to conduct a Christmas toy drive for children at Westmead Children’s Hospital.
 * 3) June 2023: Children from Young Academics took to the pitch during half time at a Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs rugby league fixture to demonstrate their new warm-up routine.
 * 4) December 2022: Young Academics announced the extension of its partnership as a Premium Sponsor of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs rugby league club.
 * 5) September 2022: Young Academics sponsored annual charity luncheon to support Dress for Success Sydney
 * 6) August 2022: Young Academics announced new STEAM workshops during National Science Week.
 * 7) March 2022: Young Academics was announced as a sponsor of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs rugby league club.
 * 8) January 2022: Professional educators from Young Academics shared top tips for parents to help children transition to kindergarten.
 * 9) November 2021: Young Academics announced new partnership with an accredited practicing dietitian to promote childhood nutrition.