Early Years
Early Years
Our Early Years Philosophy
We believe:
- parents and families are the first and most influential educators of children and continue to play an integral part in their child’s education.
- all children are unique and special, with individual needs and interests.
- all children learn and develop in different ways and at varying rates.
- children learn best in an engaging, stimulating and nurturing environment.
- ‘play’ is the fundamental tool through which all children learn and develop.
- the ongoing skill development, social development and understandings learnt and built upon during early childhood provide children with the building blocks for future learning.
- that as educators, our role is to build a lifelong love of learning, acknowledging the peak time of brain development.
Learning & Teaching
Our early childhood curriculum and pedagogy is based on 100 years of research that children learn best through play-based experiences that are meaningful and will continue to build each child’s skills and understandings. Through our curriculum planning, we give our children every opportunity to achieve their best by having realistic expectations that are challenging and allow children to reach their full potential.
All early years teachers, (Pre-Kindy to Year 2) operate within the pedagogy of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). The Principles and Practises set out in this document inform all aspects of our teaching and learning, assisting us to meet the National Quality Standards for early years education.
In teaching within the EYLF pedagogy, we believe that all learning should be holistic and active, providing children with opportunities to be creative and think critically. Learning is integrated and interconnected, therefore, our classroom environments, routines and planning allow for flexibility. Effective teaching and learning in our early years’ classrooms involves the following strategies daily:
- Learning through play and investigations
- Cooperative learning and peer tutoring
- Inquiry based learning
- Intentional teaching
- Visible Learning,
3 Year Old Program
Kindergarten
Pre-Primary
Pre-Primary students attend 5 days a week. The learning programs continue to build upon foundations in literacy and numeracy introduced in Kindergarten whilst enabling students to develop a sense of self.
As an Early Childhood centre, we believe that it is through play that children learn best and so they are given opportunities to learn basic skills and concepts, social skills and values, and to develop friendships through activities that are designed in accordance with the Early Years Learning Framework. The emphasis is on developing social skills and a positive self-image through investigating, exploring, thinking and communicating.
Our Philosophy
Our Values
St. Francis Xavier
Our Learning
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Early Years
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