Approved Kindergarten Program and School Care. CENTRE PHILOSOPHY
We believe that a successful learning environment is dependent upon open communication and evaluation which can inform, educate and create understanding between all parties involved in the child’s development. This allows us to network ideas and resources towards a common goal of planning to meet children’s individual needs. Recognition of the child’s needs for challenge in the environment will be demonstrated by the attention given to ensuring that each stage of development and the complexity of the environment can be increased to provide further developmental opportunities. Children learn through play, it is an integral part of Early Childhood; a continual process, which is a child’s natural striving to learn. We encourage children’s self expression as they explore, test and try out new activities, learn by trial and error, practise new skills and act out experiences and emotions. As they carry out these activities, they learn to deal with their physical and social surroundings and develop a greater comprehension of the world they live in. If a child’s play environment is sound, it will give them a sense of belonging, making them feel secure and enabling them to become increasingly self sufficient. Such an environment should be assessed by the amount of primary experience it offers and whether it allows young children to make their own decisions and have a measure of control over what they do. A stimulating environment is one that is planned to take into account the developmental needs of the whole child, one that is rich, varied and flexible enough to meet the changing requirements of individuals over a period of time. It is one that invites children to think creatively, to make purposeful decisions and solve problems. A stimulating environment will be one which enables children to test out, practice and refine their developing skills, which will interest and motivate children to explore, make observations and to develop their imagination. We believe that the development of the whole child requires an environment that:
Considers children’s connections to the environment and therefore fosters exploration, awareness and respect for natural materials by providing opportunities for play with natural materials including sand and water play, play-dough, food experiences and uninterrupted time in the outdoor area. Attends to safety but is full of adventure. Is capable of being acted upon in different ways by different children. Excites the individual imagination of each child. Opens up new possibilities and is capable of being re-shaped as children’s knowledge, skills and interests develop. Meets nutrition, health & safety requirements. Supports and strengthens family ties and which reflects the social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of its members. Fosters a child’s unique ability, physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. In which adults understand development and support the child’s effort to regulate their own behavior. An environment that reflects the different cultural backgrounds of families, children and staff in our centre. Multiculturalism should be reflected in all aspects of the day: at meal times, music, home corner, art & craft and on celebration and festive days. At Gaven Early Learning Centre we believe all children are individual and we provide an inclusive environment for children of all s*x, religion, additional needs or medical condition. Our centre philosophy is developed in consultation with parents and staff as a collaborative body to determine the needs of children attending the centre and developing way to meet those needs. The Philosophy is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure current trends in the Child Care Industry are being maintained. The Centre Philosophy is also reflected within each room through each Group Leaders personal Philosophy and goals. Therefore, at the Gaven Early Learning Centre we aim to:
• Offer all children and their parents a warm and caring environment providing the highest quality of childcare and educare available
• Actively participate on a collegial level with the community of parents on decisions which affect the well being of the children in our care
• Communicate with parents and staff on any matter which affects the quality of care that a particular child receives
• Provide parents with the opportunity to regularly participate in the decision making of the centre
• Provide a variety of opportunities for parent involvement by assessing their needs and interests
• Employ only the highest quality staffing professionals who have the appropriate knowledge, skills and commitment to providing well planned educare programs for all children in their care
• Foster a positive working atmosphere by establishing good channels of communication and showing a willingness to listen
• Assist staff in developing positive self-esteem by actively supporting and praising their efforts
• Provide staff with a variety of opportunities for professional development designed to enhance their knowledge and skills
• Recognise each child as a unique human being by providing an interesting, stimulating, creative and productive environment for all children
• Remain alert to the health, welfare and safety of the children and staff at all times.
• Assist children to appreciate the importance of a healthy diet and to provide opportunities that will enable families to make informed decisions about their children’s health and development
• Cater for individual difference, which nurture children's natural curiosity, stimulate learning and foster in children an on-going concern for the social and natural environment
• Recognise the multi-cultural diversity of the Australian people and to respect and incorporate within centre programs the cultural, ethnic and religious values of individual children and their parents
• Promote social, physical, emotional and intellectual independence in children according to their individual level of development and cultural background
• Foster language and communication skills so as to enhance each child's level of personal confidence and self esteem in their interaction with others
• A physical environment that children feel a sense of belonging, ownership and individuality through displaying children’s artwork and photos in each room. More specifically, we aim to facilitate learning through developmentally appropriate programs in architecturally designed indoor and outdoor environments. Our indoor activity area has the following features to capture your child’s interest and to promote their comfort. Our indoor areas:
• are clean, bright, airy and appropriately decorated
• are fully equipped with a home play area designed to stimulate your child’s curiosity and imagination
• are wonderfully equipped especially in the home play area, where a range of dress-up clothes allow children to explore many of our social roles
• have a wide selection of blocks, accessories and other construction equipment
• have book areas with cushions, sofas and pillows where children can quietly access and peruse a wide range of age appropriate reading material
• have interesting science display areas to foster your child’s awareness and understanding of the environment in which they live
• include a range of challenging puzzles and games for children to select at random
• have a variety of creative activities that are designed to encourage children to select from activities such as painting, dough, clay, collage, threading and drawing
• include a computer area and a range of appropriate programmes to foster numeracy and literacy development (Pre-School Room)
• have a variety of musical instruments reflecting various cultures and musical forms which can be used for individual or group pleasure and appreciation
Our large and interesting outdoor play scape:
• Is specifically designed to promote safe play with a range of opportunities to run, climb, crawl, balance, slide and swing
• is especially suitable for active and quiet play
• has two large shaded sandpits with a variety of sand toys
• includes a range of innovative relocatable equipment such as frames, boards, ladders,
• Obstacle courses that assist your child’s physical development
• Has facilities for water-play and woodwork activities.
• Has large shaded areas to help protect from the sun
