We at Wyong Little Learners believe that we play an important role in meeting the needs of children, families as well as the local community. We use a holistic approach to teaching and learning that pays attention to children’s physical, personal, social, emotional and spiritual well being as well as cognitive aspects of learning.
As educators of young children it is essential that we attend to the children’s well being by providing warm, trusting relationships, predicable and safe environments, affirmation and respect for all aspects of their physical, emotional, social, cognitive, linguistic, creative and spiritual being.
At our centre we want to provide a welcoming and supporting environment for both children and families that reflect who we all are and the diversity within our community. We as educators recognise that diversity contributes to the richness of our society. We honour the histories, cultures, languages, traditions, child rearing practises and lifestyle choices of our families.
We believe that children learn from each other and that play is fundamental to their learning as they discover, create, improvise and imagine. Providing appropriate opportunities for children to play together and interact in small and large groups is greatly beneficial to children’s development. As educators of children we must respond to children’s strengths, abilities and interests. We use intentional teaching practises that recognise learning occurs in social contexts and that interactions and conversations are vitally important for learning. As educators we assess the children’s learning and analyse information as evidence about what the children know, can do and understand.
Stimulating learning environments that are set up to attract children’s attention whilst proving a range of developmentally challenging activities are best used through an integrated approach, where children are not seen to learn in isolation. These learning environments need to be vibrant and flexible so they are responsive to the interests and abilities of each child.
By developing children’s interests, children have the opportunity to be involved with meaningful learning experiences that they can relate to and build on their existing knowledge.
Interactions are important and we believe that staff play an important role in facilitating discussions with children and extend their learning throughout the day. Spontaneous activities are valuable and enable children to extend their learning in positive ways. Children should see themselves as capable and active leaners.
By early childhood educators and families working in partnership the potential learning outcomes for each child is maximised. Valuing each others knowledge and insight of each child, trusting in each other and sharing decision-making are vital in a genuine partnership. Involvement in the centre’s policies and programs, and having open communication is highly valued at our centre.
We believe that working as a team requires effective communication between all staff and rooms so we can share our skills, strengths and experience, and together work towards the best outcomes for the centre. We continually seek ways to build our professional knowledge and are co-learners with the children as they also teach us through their individuality and their responsiveness to our learning environment. We use reflective practices to ensure we are always seeking the most current and productive practices.
At Wyong Little Learners we follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) for
· Children have a strong sense of identity.
· Children are connected with and contribute to their world.
· Children have a strong sense of wellbeing.
· Children are confident and involved learners.
· Children are effective communicators.
CENTRE AIMS/GOALS
1/ Provide a welcoming and stimulating environment that encourages children to be active learners.
2/ Staff develop secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships with the children and encourage them to extend their capabilities.
3/ Staff will be responsive and value all children’s strengths, abilities and interests.
4/ Use a holistic approach to teaching where all developmental areas are focused on throughout the day.
5/ Children will learn through play.
6/ Staff to use intentional teaching practises and asses the children’s learning as part of an ongoing cycle of planning, documenting and evaluating.
7/ Programs will encourage small group activities as well as individual and larger group experiences
8/ Learning environment will be vibrant and flexible spaces, that is responsive to the interests and abilities of each child.
9/ Staff and families to work together for continuity of learning and transitions throughout the different environments the children experience.
10/ Communication will be focused on throughout interactions between staff, families, and most importantly children.
11/ Partnerships with families will be valued and staff will work with families to provide positive outcomes for their children.
12/ Staff will be culturally competent and celebrate the benefits of diversity.
13/ Staff will support each other and value the diversity and experiences that everyone brings to the team.
14/ Staff will build on their profession knowledge and use reflective practises.
15/ Everyone will treat each other respectfully.
16/ Value the local community within our centre.