Our Philosophy
In relation to South West Rocks Preschool, our service philosophy is a written statement of our:
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Beliefs
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Values
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Attitudes
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Principles
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Practices
Together these guide our:
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Relationships
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Interaction
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Practices
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Policies
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Procedures
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Children's experiences
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Learning Environments
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Decision Making
Our philosophy is revised regularly to ensure that it continues to reflect the current beliefs and values of all stakeholders, as well as current daily practices. Childhood is a time for 'Belonging, Being, Becoming'. (from EYLF).
Our Philosophy is written in relation to what we believe about:
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Children
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Families
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Curriculum
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Community
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Staff / Colleagues
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Environment
We uphold the following principles and practices:
i) With regard to children we will:
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Ensure all children feel safe, supported, included and confident.
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Foster a sense of belonging to their family, preschool and communities.
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Respect that childhood is for 'being' in the here and now, to be a child and to explore joyfully!
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Respect the right to 'be a child' and to be removed from the stresses and responsibilities of the adult world.
ii) With regard to families we:
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Know and appreciate that families are the most significant and influential part of a child's early development
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Foster respectful and collaborative relationships with families and encourage their individual contributions
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Provide education and support to our families and respect their individual circumstances, cultural and child rearing beliefs.
iii) With regard to Curriculum we will:
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Implement and embrace the 'Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). It's principles, practices and learning outcomes are embedded in our curriculum.
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Provide a positive, inviting and comfortable learning environment that is aesthetically pleasing
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Respect that children are capable, competent and able to contribute to decisions regarding their own learning.
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Acknowledge that social experiences are an important context for learning.
iv) With regard to Community we will:
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Recognise that our children and families also belong to many other communities such as cultural, religious, neighbourhood, local, Australian, world.
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Establish, value and maintain links with local community groups
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Reflect local community culture and values in our curriculum and policy development
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Acknowledge and be involved in local community activities.
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Advocate for early childhood as being paramount in the development of our children
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Access appropriate agencies to ensure needs of families and children are met.
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Liaise with local schools to facilitate smooth transitions.
v) With regard to staff members we will:
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Act with professionalism in relation to children, families, colleagues and management.
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Abide by the ECA Code of Ethics
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Ensure that interactions with children are respectful, meaningful and nurturing.
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Seek and build supportive collegial relationships with staff and management.
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Ensure that or responsibilities with regard to care and education are met, and strive to be exceeded.
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Engage in reflective practices with regard to children's development and learning, equality and social justice and of ourselves as educators.
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Respond with careful planning to the outcomes of our reflective practice.
vi) With regard to the Environment we will:
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Instil in our children, families and community a respect and responsibility to the environment.
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Provide a rich environment, both indoors and out, that will invite opportunities for interaction with the natural world.
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Give our children, families and community access to natural spaces and materials throughout all aspects of the curriculum.
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Actively promote environmentally sustainable practices, so that these are embedded in our everyday lives.
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Be ever mindful of our responsibility to teach our children to love and respect the world that will become theirs.