CURRICULUM
Education, Curriculum and Learning Policy
Introduction:
Wyong Preschool embraces the principles and practices of the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF) as a foundation to our play based teaching philosophy. This Framework has been designed to extend and enrich children’s learning, maximize their potential and develop a foundation for future success in learning. It has a specific emphasis on interest-based, strengths-based and play-based learning and encourages children to be active and engaged learners exploring their world with confidence.
The EYLF describes childhood as a time of belonging, being and becoming. The most important part of “belonging” to our preschool community is feeling included, accepted and valued for “being” who we are; this in turn allows us to “become” confident, capable and independent people within our community.
Wyong Preschool educators are committed to equity believing in all children’s ability to succeed.
Aim:
We respect and acknowledge the traditional custodians of our land, the Darkinyung People. Aboriginal heritage is valued and shared with the children through stories, art, music, our natural environment and visits from Indigenous performers, members of the Darkinjung Community and our Aboriginal families.
At Wyong Preschool we aim to create a rich and diverse learning environment to support each child to grow and develop to their full potential.
Educational Leader:
Wyong Preschool has a qualified and experienced educator nominated as our Educational Leader. Our Educational Leader’s name is displayed in the foyer of our preschool. The role of the Educational Leader is to lead the development and implementation of our educational program at our preschool.
Our Curriculum:
Wyong Preschool is guided by the principles and practices of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) ensuring that the five learning outcomes are focused on to promote children’s learning.
· Each child’s learning will be based on their interests and strengths and guided by our educators.
· Educators will work in collaboration with families to provide relevant learning experiences for each child, based on their interests and family experiences.
· Every child will be equally valued and their achievements and learning celebrated.
· Educators will observe and record the strengths and learning of each child.
· Parents are recognised as the first and foremost teachers of their children. Therefore, educators will work closely with children and their families to develop goals for learning and ideas for the curriculum.
· Where appropriate, our preschool will liaise with other professionals to provide the best education and care for all children.
· Our curriculum (play and learning experiences) will build and develop each child’s strengths and achievements through collaborative programming between educators, children and families. Strengths and achievements are documented in a variety of ways - observations, learning stories, portfolios, projects, photographs, wall displays, mind maps, art galleries and children’s voices. Making children’s learning, intentional teaching, parent input and all learning journey’s visible.
· Our curriculum will be evaluated and reflected upon by the educators in room discussions, and team reflection meetings. Reflections will be documented in room daily journals, educator diaries or the team educator reflection diary. Effective assessments of learning provide the links for the planning cycle for individual children and group learning.
. Learning Outcomes will be linked to the curriculum during and after each child’s learning has occurred.
Learning Outcomes:
· Children have a strong sense of identity (Outcome 1)
· Children are connected with and contribute to their world (Outcome 2)
· Children have a strong sense of wellbeing (Outcome 3)
· Children are confident and involved learners (Outcome 4)
· Children are effective communicators (Outcome 5)
Working in Partnership with Families:
The staff at our Preschool work as a team with all our educators having opportunities to interact and engage with children and families from all rooms. Please do not hesitate to approach any of us should you have any queries. Each room comprises of up to 20 children and 2 early childhood educators who are responsible for planning and implementing the educational program for the children in their room. We also employ additional educators who assist in running an inclusive program for all the children in our care. Please keep us informed about your child e.g. illness during the night, special happenings, family outings etc so that we can plan individually for each child and if you have any concerns or worries please share them with your child’s educator.
Likewise the educator will share with you information about your child’s day, their interests and the many varied aspects of their development. Parents and educators sharing ideas and information together enrich your child’s preschool experience.
Learning through Play:
At Wyong Preschool educators support all areas of children’s learning and development through our holistic play based program curriculum. Our curriculum is continually evolving through educators listening intently to children and families. Children thrive when families and educators work together in partnership to support children’s learning. This partnership allows educators to plan and implement learning experiences that reflect children’s interests and cultural backgrounds.
Educators are responsive to the needs of individuals and groups of children. Educators plan intentionally and support spontaneous teachable moments. Educators plan flexibly with children following their current interests and building upon their unique strengths. Our day allows for periods of uninterrupted play and minimal transitions. All aspects of our day are seen as learning opportunities.
Learning environments are rich and diverse, supporting and developing each child’s independence, creativity, knowledge and culture. Educators foster a love of learning and acknowledge the child’s right to play allowing them to develop into confident and involved learners. Children engage in an array of experiences such as - Music, drama, creative arts, language, science, cooking, sensory play, technology, manipulative play and physical play with literacy and numeracy concepts embedded in all experiences.
Children have access to a natural environment with opportunities to engage creatively with natural resources both indoors and outdoors. Through this connection with nature we actively foster love, respect and responsibility in caring for the natural world. This is evident in our daily sustainability practices which are embedded in our preschool. Every child is supported to participate in all aspects of our program with educators guiding children through exploration and safe risk taking.
Transitions:
Our educators support each child and family in all transitions which may include:
· Transitions throughout the preschool day: Daily transitions are minimal and our educators promote a calm and unhurried flow through our routines. Our educators are responsive to individual needs during all daily transitions.
· Transitioning to another room within our preschool: Educators develop Summaries of Learning for individual children to share with families and other educators. Sharing of information between rooms is an important part of the transition process.
· Transitions to other early childhood services or programs: Our preschool liaises with other services to ensure a smooth transition into their programs.
· Transition to Kindergarten: Our educators support each child and family in their transition to primary school through our “Bridging the Gap” program. This program involves a transition statement to share with families and local schools. We also invite local schools to visit our preschool to participate in Transition to School meetings in order to promote a positive start for every child.
Educators use understandings derived from current theory and research and are guided by the National Quality Standard, Early Years Learning Framework and the principles that underpin rich pedagogical practice.
This policy reflects our current Wyong Preschool Philosophy.
Introduction:
Wyong Preschool embraces the principles and practices of the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF) as a foundation to our play based teaching philosophy. This Framework has been designed to extend and enrich children’s learning, maximize their potential and develop a foundation for future success in learning. It has a specific emphasis on interest-based, strengths-based and play-based learning and encourages children to be active and engaged learners exploring their world with confidence.
The EYLF describes childhood as a time of belonging, being and becoming. The most important part of “belonging” to our preschool community is feeling included, accepted and valued for “being” who we are; this in turn allows us to “become” confident, capable and independent people within our community.
Wyong Preschool educators are committed to equity believing in all children’s ability to succeed.
Aim:
We respect and acknowledge the traditional custodians of our land, the Darkinyung People. Aboriginal heritage is valued and shared with the children through stories, art, music, our natural environment and visits from Indigenous performers, members of the Darkinjung Community and our Aboriginal families.
At Wyong Preschool we aim to create a rich and diverse learning environment to support each child to grow and develop to their full potential.
Educational Leader:
Wyong Preschool has a qualified and experienced educator nominated as our Educational Leader. Our Educational Leader’s name is displayed in the foyer of our preschool. The role of the Educational Leader is to lead the development and implementation of our educational program at our preschool.
Our Curriculum:
Wyong Preschool is guided by the principles and practices of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) ensuring that the five learning outcomes are focused on to promote children’s learning.
· Each child’s learning will be based on their interests and strengths and guided by our educators.
· Educators will work in collaboration with families to provide relevant learning experiences for each child, based on their interests and family experiences.
· Every child will be equally valued and their achievements and learning celebrated.
· Educators will observe and record the strengths and learning of each child.
· Parents are recognised as the first and foremost teachers of their children. Therefore, educators will work closely with children and their families to develop goals for learning and ideas for the curriculum.
· Where appropriate, our preschool will liaise with other professionals to provide the best education and care for all children.
· Our curriculum (play and learning experiences) will build and develop each child’s strengths and achievements through collaborative programming between educators, children and families. Strengths and achievements are documented in a variety of ways - observations, learning stories, portfolios, projects, photographs, wall displays, mind maps, art galleries and children’s voices. Making children’s learning, intentional teaching, parent input and all learning journey’s visible.
· Our curriculum will be evaluated and reflected upon by the educators in room discussions, and team reflection meetings. Reflections will be documented in room daily journals, educator diaries or the team educator reflection diary. Effective assessments of learning provide the links for the planning cycle for individual children and group learning.
. Learning Outcomes will be linked to the curriculum during and after each child’s learning has occurred.
Learning Outcomes:
· Children have a strong sense of identity (Outcome 1)
· Children are connected with and contribute to their world (Outcome 2)
· Children have a strong sense of wellbeing (Outcome 3)
· Children are confident and involved learners (Outcome 4)
· Children are effective communicators (Outcome 5)
Working in Partnership with Families:
The staff at our Preschool work as a team with all our educators having opportunities to interact and engage with children and families from all rooms. Please do not hesitate to approach any of us should you have any queries. Each room comprises of up to 20 children and 2 early childhood educators who are responsible for planning and implementing the educational program for the children in their room. We also employ additional educators who assist in running an inclusive program for all the children in our care. Please keep us informed about your child e.g. illness during the night, special happenings, family outings etc so that we can plan individually for each child and if you have any concerns or worries please share them with your child’s educator.
Likewise the educator will share with you information about your child’s day, their interests and the many varied aspects of their development. Parents and educators sharing ideas and information together enrich your child’s preschool experience.
Learning through Play:
At Wyong Preschool educators support all areas of children’s learning and development through our holistic play based program curriculum. Our curriculum is continually evolving through educators listening intently to children and families. Children thrive when families and educators work together in partnership to support children’s learning. This partnership allows educators to plan and implement learning experiences that reflect children’s interests and cultural backgrounds.
Educators are responsive to the needs of individuals and groups of children. Educators plan intentionally and support spontaneous teachable moments. Educators plan flexibly with children following their current interests and building upon their unique strengths. Our day allows for periods of uninterrupted play and minimal transitions. All aspects of our day are seen as learning opportunities.
Learning environments are rich and diverse, supporting and developing each child’s independence, creativity, knowledge and culture. Educators foster a love of learning and acknowledge the child’s right to play allowing them to develop into confident and involved learners. Children engage in an array of experiences such as - Music, drama, creative arts, language, science, cooking, sensory play, technology, manipulative play and physical play with literacy and numeracy concepts embedded in all experiences.
Children have access to a natural environment with opportunities to engage creatively with natural resources both indoors and outdoors. Through this connection with nature we actively foster love, respect and responsibility in caring for the natural world. This is evident in our daily sustainability practices which are embedded in our preschool. Every child is supported to participate in all aspects of our program with educators guiding children through exploration and safe risk taking.
Transitions:
Our educators support each child and family in all transitions which may include:
· Transitions throughout the preschool day: Daily transitions are minimal and our educators promote a calm and unhurried flow through our routines. Our educators are responsive to individual needs during all daily transitions.
· Transitioning to another room within our preschool: Educators develop Summaries of Learning for individual children to share with families and other educators. Sharing of information between rooms is an important part of the transition process.
· Transitions to other early childhood services or programs: Our preschool liaises with other services to ensure a smooth transition into their programs.
· Transition to Kindergarten: Our educators support each child and family in their transition to primary school through our “Bridging the Gap” program. This program involves a transition statement to share with families and local schools. We also invite local schools to visit our preschool to participate in Transition to School meetings in order to promote a positive start for every child.
Educators use understandings derived from current theory and research and are guided by the National Quality Standard, Early Years Learning Framework and the principles that underpin rich pedagogical practice.
This policy reflects our current Wyong Preschool Philosophy.
