We recognise and respect the Wurundjeri people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we learn. We value their knowledge and culture, which is reflected in our practices.
Our centre is committed to providing a warm, caring, positive environment for everyone involved with the service. The National Quality Framework and the Victorian Early Years Leaning and Development Framework are embedded within our program which is active play based, with a combination of child-initiated and adult-facilitated relationships, experiences and interactions.
We believe that all children are competent and capable learners. All children learn at different rates, in different ways (Howard Gardner’s ‘Multiple Intelligences’) and at different times. Each child can, at their own pace, develop independence, self-identity and an ability to safely question the world around them. This is possible in our exciting play environment, which is influenced by the Reggio Emilio approach whereby the physical environment acts as a ‘third teacher’.
The environment encourages the child to engage in exploration, questioning, discovery, creativity and problem solving in a cooperative and collaborative manner. Our physical setting and the learning environment at the kindergarten are secure and stable, yet flexible enough to ensure that each child is able to build on the strengths, interests, and abilities that will enable them to achieve their full potential. The children’s learning is scaffolded by their interactions with both the physical and social environments. Reflective language and thinking is used in these interactions, extending children’s language and higher order thinking (Vygotsky’s Social Cultural theory). Learning becomes almost like a chain reaction, where one part of learning becomes a path to further learning and so on.
We acknowledge that the health and wellbeing of each child is paramount. We support this through our whole kindergarten environment, including our Kitchen Garden. Child Safe Standards guide our practices. We strive to foster self-worth in each child and for them to become a positive, effective member of the kindergarten and wider community.
We value and respect staff individuality, knowledge, qualifications and experience and encourage growth and positive team co-operation. Our educators are positive role models, guiding behaviour by example, and interacting with children in a way that encourages learning as a pleasant and enjoyable experience. By using reflective practices and continually developing our professional knowledge and skills, our educators are able to provide the best possible learning and developmental opportunities for all children.
Our program is inclusive and is based on acceptance of, and respect for the diversity of each child and their family regardless of ability, gender, race, language, culture or economic status.
We are also influenced by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, reflected in our centre with our understanding that any experiences/interactions a child has influences who they are, and how they will develop (also the underlying premise of our national Early Years Learning Framework - Being/Belonging/Becoming).
We believe in the importance of families being their child’s first teacher. We recognise that family relationships are important and crucial in a child’s life. Families understand their child better than anyone else and we appreciate and embrace the sharing of information and ideas to enhance child’s learning, and actively encourage family participation.
We believe that all children, staff, and families have the right to be treated with respect in a positive and accepting environment, where the rights of all individuals are acknowledged. We are a community within a community. And we welcome you all to it.
