Poppy Cottage is a wonderful Early Learning Centre nestled in the leafy grounds of Masada College in St Ives. For children from 2yrs old till Pre-school. Our Poppy Cottage early learning centre classes are nestled in our leafy grounds in St Ives. Masada’s excellent early learning program is a combination of the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the new National Early Years Learning Framework. We believe that children learn best through play complimented with the experience of Intentional and Responsive Teaching.  

We welcome children from the age of 2 years old. We offer full day sessions from 7.30am till 6pm.

Our Program
Our program of learning and discovery relates specifically to how children grow and develop. It instills in each child an excitement and eagerness to learn. From the moment children commence at Masada Poppy Cottage early learning centre they are taught, using the Culture of Thinking routines, the skills necessary to think critically and to problem solve. We encourage children to identify and value the leader in themselves and in others by following Stephen Covey’s The Leader In Me® program.

Specialist and Information Technology Lessons
The children participate in weekly specialist lessons including Music, Sport and Physical Education.

Through our Raising Responsibility behaviour management system we teach and support children in taking responsibility for their own actions and behaviour. The inspirational 7 Habits of Highly Effective People together with positive reinforcement is used to promote appropriate behaviours. The children practise skills in conflict resolution, and social skills are taught explicitly to ensure each child enjoys positive interactions with their peers.

Transition to School Program
Throughout the year, the four year olds are involved in a Transition to School Program. They visit the Kindergarten classes and become familiar with the Kindergarten teachers through participation in pre-literacy and numeracy activities. They visit the Junior School Library regularly, lunch with their Year 5 buddies, join in school assemblies and celebrate appropriate festivals with the K-6 students. All this assists in the seamless and comfortable transition to school at the commencement of the following year.