Early Years

Our Early Years Philosophy

At St Francis Xavier, we believe that all children have the right to learn in a safe and nurturing environment, where their capabilities are recognised and strengthened. Our educational philosophy is based on developmental learning, inclusivity and the Catholic ethos.

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,