Our Philosophy

In relation to South West Rocks Preschool, our service philosophy is a written statement of our:

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• Beliefs

• Values

• Attitudes

• Principles

• Practices

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Together these guide our:

• Relationships

• Interaction

• Practices

• Policies

• Procedures

• Children's experiences

• Learning Environments

• Decision Making

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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:

• Children

• Families

• Curriculum

• Community

• Staff / Colleagues

• Environment

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We uphold the following principles and practices:

i) With regard to children we will:

• Ensure all children feel safe, supported, included and confident.

• Foster a sense of belonging to their family, preschool and communities.

• Respect that childhood is for 'being' in the here and now, to be a child and to explore joyfully!

• 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:

• Know and appreciate that families are the most significant and influential part of a child's early development

• Foster respectful and collaborative relationships with families and encourage their individual contributions

• Provide education and support to our families and respect their individual circumstances, cultural and child rearing beliefs.

iii) With regard to Curriculum we will:

• Implement and embrace the 'Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).  It's principles, practices and learning outcomes are embedded in our curriculum.

• Provide a positive, inviting and comfortable learning environment that is aesthetically pleasing

• Respect that children are capable, competent and able to contribute to decisions regarding their own learning.

• Acknowledge that social experiences are an important context for learning.

iv) With regard to Community we will:

• Recognise that our children and families also belong to many other communities such as cultural, religious, neighbourhood, local, Australian, world.

• Establish, value and maintain links with local community groups

• Reflect local community culture and values in our curriculum and policy development

• Acknowledge and be involved in local community activities.

• Advocate for early childhood as being paramount in the development of our children 

• Access appropriate agencies to ensure needs of families and children are met.

• Liaise with local schools to facilitate smooth transitions.

v) With regard to staff members we will:

• Act with professionalism in relation to children, families, colleagues and management.

• Abide by the ECA Code of Ethics

• Ensure that interactions with children are respectful, meaningful and nurturing.

• Seek and build supportive collegial relationships with staff and management.

• Ensure that or responsibilities with regard to care and education are met, and strive to be exceeded.

• Engage in reflective practices with regard to children's development and learning, equality and social justice and of ourselves as educators.

• Respond with careful planning to the outcomes of our reflective practice.

vi) With regard to the Environment we will:

• Instil in our children, families and community a respect and responsibility to the environment.

• Provide a rich environment, both indoors and out, that will invite opportunities for interaction with the natural world.

• Give our children, families and community access to natural spaces and materials throughout all aspects of the curriculum.

• Actively promote environmentally sustainable practices, so that these are embedded in our everyday lives.

• Be ever mindful of our responsibility to teach our children to love and respect the world that will become theirs.