Educational Program
We offer a stimulating child-focused play based learning program that provides children with endless opportunities for growth and development. Children explore, investigate and learn through their own unique intelligences and at their own developmental level.
We are passionate about developing and enhancing happy, confident, creative, kind, compassionate, independent, self-directed thinkers and learners.
We value positive, caring and inclusive relationships between children, families, educators, early childhood professionals and the community to nurture and support children in these vital early years of life.
The values underlying the program include:
- respect for the rights of self and others
- a caring and kind attitude to other children, adults and all living creatures
- a love of nature and the environment
- an appreciation of language, literature, creative arts, music and movement
- awareness of the value of maths and science
Environmental/Sustainability a comprehensive indoor/outdoor program that values the learning children achieve by being immersed in the outdoor environment. Children plant and care for the kinder's herb and vegetable gardens - harvesting produce to share at mealtimes and to supply ingredients to the kitchen garden cooking program. Children collect food scraps at the end of mealtimes and contribute these to the worm cafe and/or take them home to their own chickens.
We joined the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program in 2017 and are proud to be a pilot centre for the Foundation's Early Years Kitchen Garden Project. Read more here.
Arts creative outlets for children to express and communicate their ideas, connecting with and contributing to their world. The program provides quality based art and craft materials, including our own 'house-made paint'; clay; easel drawings and paintings and printmaking, drawing inspiration from the natural world.
Community incursions and excursions form part of the intentional learning experiences for children to affirm their belonging and connection with local and wider communities. This includes Music and Drama performances; Library and Art Gallery events and Australian and farm animal visits. Planned awareness and participation in a number of programs include the Melbourne Museum; CFA; Police; Dental; Responsible Pet and Road Safety programs.
Wellbeing additional features to support children enjoy quiet moments, relax and experience elements of mindfulness. We support opportunities whereby children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing as this contributes to them being happy, healthy, safe and connected to others.
