Learning Programmes
Friends in the Possums Room
Galloway Staff plan four learning programmes - for the Under two year olds, 2 and 3 year olds, Preschoolers and the outdoor environments. All programmes incorporate children's identified interests based on individual children's learning outcomes and staff observations.
Our preschool programmes incorporate school readiness knowledge, particularly valuing skills for life eg. problem solving, developing a sense of identity, connection and contribution to their world, self help skills, effective communication and developing as confident and involved learners.
Initially, programmes are planned weekly with any spontaneous learning experiences, recorded daily. Our programmes challenge, while fostering personal and social development.
Programmes encourage parents and family members to be involved. Staff use a positive and pleasant responsive atmosphere where interactions and relationships with children are warm and friendly.
"All children experience learning that is engaging and builds success for Life
- From The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia.
Music & Storytelling
Meet our Music and Storytellers
Philosophy
Gardening Outside
Mission Statement: Helping Children Grow
Galloway is committed to providing quality care and early childhood education to children allowing them to develop wholistically as individual and independent people.
Philosophy
Galloway will provide quality care for children allowing them to develop wholistically as individual and independent people. Accordingly the Centre's environment will be safe, hygienic and welcoming with a child centred programme and evaluation.
Children
Children will feel comfortable, relaxed, have fun and enjoy their time at the Centre. Each child through staff co-operation and quality interactions with staff and other children at the centre will establish a warm and caring relationship with a small number of adults and peers. Personal independence, feelings of self worth and learning of self-discipline skills will be encouraged.
We view children as capable and competent learners and believe all children should be given opportunities to develop to their fullest potential. We acknowledge the early years of a child's life to be the most important years of development.
Families
The parent/child relationship will be acknowledged as the most significant in the child's life of early childhood and differing child rearing styles or practises will be respected. Partnerships with parents and families will be reflected in open and regular communication through a variety of means, aiming to build relationships and establish trust. Any information families can share about their children, their input to the programme, skills they can share and time spent at the Centre or in participation (eg excursions and other centre events) will be valued.
Management
Galloway Children's Centre Christmas
Parent and family participation is encouraged either in a management position on the Board of Directors, or in more informal ways such as sharing skills and knowledge and working bees. There is regular communication through newsletters and notices, with parents/carers being welcome to raise any issues at the Board meetings or with members of the Board for discussion and consideration.
The Board encourages and maintains open communication with all staff and ensures governing regulations are adhered to. Board members require confidentiality and respect of individual needs of staff and families.
Staff
Staff will maintain a professional outlook, which reflects the clarity of their roles as support for parents and commitment to the team regardless of training status.
- Staff will recognise their strengths and weaknesses, build on their knowledge of the service and be willing to update skills through courses/in-service.
- Staff will value personal qualities of patience, sense of humour, calmness, flexibility and communication skills at all levels while reflecting an inclusive, non-judgemental and confidential attitude towards children, families and each other.
Our community profile
Our community profile will be raised through media exposure to highlight the importance and role of Early Childhood Services. Network links with other services and community resources within the area will be established and training initiatives, students and volunteers will be supported.
The children's programme of planned and spontaneous learning experiences
Outside learning
We acknowledge that when children are encouraged to pursue their own interests, children have greater motivations to learn.
The programme will be based on careful observations, communication between staff and parents, planning of the environment, advantageous use of equipment and maintaining a high standard of safety, hygiene and nutrition. Individual children's needs, interests, developmental levels and abilities will be incorporated into the learning programme. Individual choice, creativity, problem solving, small group experiences, child directed play and experiences will be valued.
The physical environment will be aesthetically pleasing, stimulating and balanced between passive, active and interactive play.
Social Issues
- Prosocial behaviour that respects individuals, others rights and family values will be encouraged.
- Adults will demonstrate appropriate expectations and show empathy, support and give praise through positive behaviour management.
- Positive attitudes toward diversity will be valued with a variety of experiences and materials from diverse cultures will be an integral and ongoing part of the Centre's learning programme.
The philosophy and mission statement of Galloway Children's Centre will be reviewed annually.