Our Programs

Our Programs

We believe that hands-on, experiential learning is the best educational approach for children and we do this through a strong connection to nature and the outdoors, interest-lead learning, emergent curriculum, a play-based focus, enquiry-based teaching style and authentic play. When children’s natural curiosity is encouraged, learning flows organically.

Why is play so important?

Play is very important for children. Through play young children explore and learn to understand the world around them as they come to communicate, discover, imagine and create. When children play they are showing what they have learned and what they are trying to understand. This is why play is one of the foundations of the Early Years Learning Framework. A play-based program does not mean that children just do what they like all day. In a play-based program there will be times when children come together as a group, listen when others are talking, follow the rules of group living and begin to take responsibility for their actions and their environment. Children are offered choices that reflect their developmental stage. The choices are determined by the educators and are provided within limits of safety and within the group setting. The educators continually evaluate children’s play to discover what it is children are learning and to then help shape and extend this learning.

Play is a crucial part of children’s development, the opportunity to learn through involvement, through trial and error is critical to how we cope with life and interact with other. Our day is filled with opportunities to test our skills, build on our ability to communicate and interact with others, gain new knowledge and retest learned skills. It’s about the process of learning and never about a produced product, its about fun, its about being safe, nurtured and trusted.

Play is a crucial part of children’s development, the opportunity to learn through involvement, through trial and error is critical to how we cope with life and interact with other.

Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)

All early childhood services across Australia are obligated to follow the National Early Years Learning Framework, a curriculum framework that outlines the key learning outcomes for children prior to school. The framework outlines the key practices that support the best outcomes for young children. The outcomes are:

  • 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

Within the framework, children will learn science and maths concepts as they observe, investigate, discover, compare, classify, create, predict, explain, verify and analyse. Children will develop language and literacy skills, not just through the spoken word, but also through painting, drawing, sculpture, writing, music, songs, movement, stories, role play, posters, puppets and many open ended questions. Art and music provide many opportunities for creative expression with a focus on the process discovery, interpretation, exploration and imagination.

The curriculum is built around a play-based program, focused on the interests of young children and also the intentional planning undertaken by educators. Play provides opportunities for children to learn as they discover, create, improvise and imagine. Play and learning are entwined in such a way that it is difficult to separate. What we know is that when children play with other children they create social groups, test out ideas, challenge each other’s thinking and build new understandings.

The National Early Years Learning Framework, a curriculum framework that outlines the key learning outcomes for children prior to school.