Preschool provides your child with their first experience of the classroom environment outside the security of their home. The development of each child’s self esteem and confidence is the underlying principle to the operation of the whole centre.

For your child, preschool means being in a group of children, learning to take turns, problem solving and enjoying new experiences and activities with children of his/her own age. Consistent limits are set and reinforced in a positive way. Children are encouraged to express their feelings, problem solve and then seek adult help when they need it. Most of all we aim to engender a lifelong love of learning.

We implement an indoor and outdoor program that provides a variety of experiences to facilitate children’s learning and social development.

Curriculum areas are:

• Developing a sense of self: balancing independence and connectedness.
• Communication; making and interpreting messages and meaning.
• Thinking, investigating, exploring problem solving; individual and collaborative learning
• Health and physical activity: health and nutrition, understanding and developing physical selves.
• Social development; understanding and interacting with others.
• Emotional development; recognising and managing feelings
• Creative development; expression and appreciation of ideas using a range of media.
• Moral and spiritual development: respect and appreciation of self, others and environment.

Planning is emergent, based on children’s interests and strengths, but is also guided by the Educators as they work within the Philosophy and Curriculum Framework.

Our philosophy is strongly influenced by the NSW Curriculum Framework and the principles of the Reggio Emilia Philosophy which originated in Italy. We have an information night about this early each year, and information packages are also available.

One of the main principles of the Reggio philosophy is the emphasis on the children expressing their learning and ideas through the many different languages other than speech. In order to facilitate the children’s abilities to demonstrate these ideas we have recently introduced our art, drama and music programs, to ensure that all children are becoming confident in the skills that they need to express their learning and ideas.

The daily program is designed to meet the child’s individual needs and interests. It is flexible, recognising the needs of children to develop at their own pace. It also provides an extension of the security, protection, love and care already experienced in the family unit. The staff are trained to guide your children’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.