Irrawang Preschool Philosophy
Curriculum
We believe:
- Children need opportunities to consolidate skills and work towards the outcomes expressed in the EYLF.
- Children's interests and ideas provide educators with the opportunity to develop enriching and engaging learning experiences.
- Children learn through play.
Therefore we:
- Provide an enriching, play-based, child centred curriculum based on the National Curriculum Early Years Learning Framework.
Environment
We believe:
- The environment should be aesthetically appealing and welcoming to children, families, and staff.
- Children should feel a sense of belonging and ownership in the Preschool environment
- Natural and material resources should be used interchangeably in both our indoor and outdoor environments.
- That Preschool should be a stimulating, changing environment that encourages children to explore, solve problems, create and construct.
Therefore we:
- Provide aesthetically pleasing; well maintained play areas with thoughtful use of furnishings and displays.
- Make large changes to the environment infrequently and in consultation with children
- Enable children to utilise a variety of natural and material resources during both inside and outside play.
- Strive to ensure our environment is modified on a regular basis to maintain child engagement and to act as a stimulus for learning.
Staff
We believe:
- Each staff member brings fundamental, personal qualities to the service such as empathy, respect, warmth and a passion for learning.
- In working together to maintain and improve the standard of our service.
Therefore we:
Provide an enriching, play-based, child centred curriculum based on the National Curriculum Early Years Learning Framework.
- Provide opportunities for staff to share in decision making in regards to all aspects of our service.
- Attend weekly staff meetings to reflect on our service and our selves as educators.
Children
We believe:
- Each child is a unique individual who is capable, resourceful, responsive and an active contributor to their own learning.
- Children should be valued within the context of their family and community.
- Children have the right to get messy, take risks, feel the grass between their toes - the right to be a child
Therefore we:
- Integrate children's suggestions into the daily program and enable them to set up the learning experience where possible.
- Create authentic relationships with children and identify each child as an individual.
- Provide children with the opportunity to live in the now and confidently learn and explore their world.
Families and the community
We believe:
- Parents are the initial educator in their child's life.
- The education of a child is the collaborative responsibility of parents, educators and the community.
- We are members of the Irrawang Public School and the extended Raymond Terrace community.
- Cultural diversity within our community should be celebrated.
Therefore we:
- Create and maintain meaningful relationships with families
- Have built an authentic link with Irrawang Public School and Thou Walla (Schools as Community Centre).
- Endeavour to utilise the knowledge of families and the community to celebrate the various cultures within our community.
Please view our 2018 quality improvement plan (DOCX 265KB).