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Integricare
Integricare Ardill House North Strathfield
Integricare Ardill House North Strathfield is linked to a
rich history of providing refuge for neglected, homeless
and threatened children which dates back to 1887. We
wanted to continue this legacy and assist children to
engage in their communities and contribute in a
proactive way to their world. Hence the “Useful Gifts for a
Better Tomorrow” Project began. The aim of the project
was to participate in the “Useful Gifts” program which
TEAR Australia organises and purchase chickens for
families living in poverty overseas. We set the goal of
purchasing 20 chickens from coins donated by the
children and their families. The project began by locating
the countries on a world map that we were assisting. The
children embraced the realisation that not all children are
as well off as we are and that the chickens would help
with food and income. The children learnt that $5
bought us one chicken so numeracy skills were
developed as daily they counted the money and
determined the number of chickens we could buy.
In the end, the children raised $175 which bought them
35 chickens. Through involvement in this project, the
children were learning empathy, care and compassion
and so continuing on from their predecessors.
Integricare Northmead Baptist Child Care
A thriving community under the umbrella of Parramatta
Baptist Church and Integricare.
Integricare took over the reins in 2013, from Baptist
Community Services, to manage this small childcare
centre of 40 places per day. Integricare and Parramatta
Baptist Church work together to strengthen the
connections we have with families and the community.
Working closely with the church allows us to provide a
holistic approach to educating children, not only based
on the educational framework of the Early Years Learning
Framework, but also nurturing and supporting the
spiritual health and wellbeing of the children. The
children’s pastor and church chaplain regularly visit to
read stories and to sing and dance with the children. In
addition the church extends love and support to families
and staff through the ups and downs of life by being a
listening ear and offering practical care and prayer. The
church also offers a number of services and programs for
adults and children that enrich the lives of the families.
Working together, we have developed effective and
respectful relationships that have benefited families,
whilst providing excellence in care and education, giving
the children the foundations for life skills, encouraging
them to be active and creative thinkers and explorers who
are not afraid to try their own ideas and think their own
thoughts. We teach them how to learn, and give them a
thirst for knowledge where they realise that learning
is fun.
Jacky Smithson