Maitland Community Preschool 1

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Children need to be a minimum of 3 years to attend
We are State rather than federally funded, so we have a different fee structure (eg., Child Care Benefit entitlement)
From 1st January 2009 Maitland Nursery School became known as Maitland Community Preschool. Everything else remained the same; just the name changed. The name change, we believe, gives a better indication of the service we are, i.e. community-operated preschool in Maitland. Philosophy: Our philosophy aligns with the principles and practices of Belonging, Being and Becoming: the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF), and is based on a view of children as :-



capable, powerful, creative and resourceful
active participants and decision-makers in their own learning, with the ability to succeed irrespective of varying abilities and circumstances
social beings, who are capable of communicating and interacting positively with others, in a supportive and encouraging environment
unique individuals, who are also members of a larger group and connected to their worlds


We aim to provide a safe, caring and welcoming environment:-

which is accessible to the widest range of families from the community
in which diversity of all kinds is acknowledged, respected and valued
in which the rights and wellbeing of the child are always paramount
which recognises the unique potential of each child, and honours the child’s right to learn through play experiences that are engaging and build life-long success
which recognises that learning is a dynamic, complex and holistic process
which recognises that children have different learning styles, that they learn best:- within the context of their life experiences, interests and strengths; when they feel secure, valued and understood; and when they are having fun
which is open-ended, stimulating and promotes autonomy and initiative, as well as interdependence
which encourages healthy risk-taking
in which educators are recognised and valued not only as professionals with a wealth of knowledge and experience within the field of Early Childhood, but also as individuals with their own personal professional philosophies reflecting a wide range of perspectives, talents andinterests,which further enrich the curriculum
in which educators use a range of thoughtful, deliberate and purposeful teaching practices to provoke children’s thinking and facilitate learning
in which educators are committed to ongoing professional development and critical self-reflection
in which parents and other caregivers are recognised as being their child’s most important teachers, and feel a sense of belonging within the pre-school community, at whatever level they choose
which fosters open communication between parents/caregivers, children and staff in an atmosphere of mutual respect, empathy, trust and optimism
in which the voices of children, families and educators are heard and valued
in which critical social-emotional competencies are actively fostered through intentional teaching practices
which values Australian heritage, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
which actively supports positive transitions to school