Ms Janice Rutherford and Ms Jennie Fountain
A new early childhood learning centre, Begin Bright, has opened its doors in Erina.
Begin Bright was established by CEO Ms Tina Tower who said she started the franchise after noticing a need for classes to prepare children for school.
As a leading school readiness and primary tutoring centre, the program aims to ensure that children have the best head start for school as well as support throughout their primary years.
Co-Directors of Begin Bright Erina Ms Jennie Fountain and Ms Janice Rutherford have worked together in early childhood centres where they saw fi rst-hand the need for bridging the academic gap from child care centres to “big school”.
Ms Fountain said Begin Bright was a fun, bright and colourful place where children felt comfortable and relaxed to have fun while learning.
“Our teachers are fully qualifi ed with loads of experience, a passion for teaching and they do it with a smile.
“Many parents don’t realise that early childhood centres and primary schools work under totally different programs.
“Early childhood centres operate under the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), which is based on open learning and building on children’s interests.
“Primary School operates under the Australian Curriculum to teach literacy and numeracy and many other subjects in a more formal structure.
“At Begin Bright, our award winning School Readiness Program bridges the gap so children gain the self-esteem to confi dently make the transition from care to school.
“Over the years, I have seen that the key to children’s success with learning, especially when learning to read and write, is in the way they see themselves.
“With inspiring a strong belief in themselves, they can tackle anything,” said Ms Fountain.
When Ms Fountain discovered Begin Bright on the internet, she said she felt that the program supported the way she felt about teaching children. She shared the link with Janice and together they opened the Centre on The Entrance Rd in Erina.
Having owned a business together before, they said they felt that opening a Begin Bright Centre was a natural next step for the two, who have been friends for over 20 years.
Jennie is a University trained early childhood teacher with years of experience both in Sydney and on the Coast.
Janice has a Certificate III in Children Services with a background in design and a creative approach to teaching that she said enabled her to tap into those that are not naturally academic.
“We each have talents, experience and education that provides an excellent foundation for instilling in children a love and confi dence for learning,” said Ms Fountain.
“Together we made our Begin Bright Centre a place where children will feel happy to have fun with learning. “Our approach to delivering this program is to give every child confi dence to be themselves and tackle new learning experiences with a ‘can do’ attitude.
“Our goal is to let no child come to us without leaving happier, smarter and more confident.”
Press release, 1 Aug 2014
Janice Rutherford, Begin
Bright