The mixed age group program, which is part of our centre philosophy, encourages the older children in the Possum room to be our leaders and role models for the younger children, and we see many kind and nurturing experiences between the age group as a result of this. We value the relationship between siblings and often have older siblings visiting and engaging in our program when possible.

Our day is filled with a nurturing, play based program that all educators plan and contribute to, developed from the individual needs and interests of the children. We often investigate sensory and early learning concept play together, which can be in the form of messy play, music and movement, creative exploration, environmental care and numeracy and pre- literacy exploration.

Our Education and Care Program

We believe the care of children at the centre is a partnership between the family and the centre. Staff acknowledge that families entrust to the centre the care and education of their children and we take that responsibility very seriously. We embrace each child in a holistic way – seeing the child as a whole person with a character, background, family and culture.

We recognise that learning is a play based concept for young children and best occurs when children are able to play in ways they choose and follow the ideas and play experiences that are of interest to them. Our program fosters a sense of curiosity, exploration and questioning by children of the world around them and empowers them to recognise themselves as competent learners and teachers in their own right.

Our learning environment is formed around a child interest and need focus, we believe that child initiated learning ensures the learning process for each child is relevant, effective and interesting. Further we believe that child choice is important, our program features extended periods of free choice time encouraging and allowing children opportunities to build social relationships and interact with peers. We also provide opportunities for children to participate in focused and intentional learning opportunities, these are facilitated by educators through their knowledge of each child, and relationships and connections with children and their families.

Our program is founded on the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) – Belonging, Being and Becoming.

The EYLF guides all early childhood programs and educators in providing an approved framework for children to develop a sense of who they are and their place of belonging within the context of family and community. The EYLF acknowledges that young children are people in their own right and celebrates their current capabilities, knowledge, and acceptance of themselves and who they are at this point in time. The EYLF also recognises the potential of children and the influence of quality early childhood programs, interactions with responsive caregivers and opportunities to be competent co constructers of learning, on who they will become in the future.