Growing Relationships

Relationships are an integral part of children’s development in both the early childhood and school age years and the foundation for exploration, learning and construction of identity. Through our teaching approach of “Growing Relationships” Educators provide positive experiences that primarily enable children to feel significant, respected and feel a sense of belonging. Additionally these consistent opportunities enable all children to engage in both individual and collaborative experiences resulting in the development of trusting relationships with other children and educators, therefore providing children with the confidence to recognise both their individual achievements and the achievements of others. Most importantly our educators consistently support all children enabling them to develop confidence, awareness and respect for others, the ability to learn control of emotions, persist when faced with challenges and to develop life skills that will enable them to approach new safe situations with confidence.

Growing Responsibilities

Through a supportive and active learning environment children are encouraged to explore a self of independence and responsibility for their own learning, personal regulation, leadership development and contribution to the social environment. Educators create enriching environments in which children can contribute in meaningful ways, and support children to take responsibility for their lives, and make their own choices. Our children are confident decision makers and problem solvers.

Our environments, and resources educate and emphasise an awareness and highlights the need for a sustainable future. Through intentional teaching, children explore their accountability and understanding about their responsibilities caring for the environment both short and long term, fostering their knowledge about the natural world.

Growing Explorers

Our children’s learning and knowledge is driven by investigative play in our natural outdoor play settings. On the inside, Childrenfirst’s unique style of natural classroom settings are designed to enhance every child’s physical development. Amazing play based learning experiences alongside creative intentional teaching styles encourage self paced exploration that are essential for lifelong learning. We take risks, push educational boundaries and use inquiry based intentional teaching to ensure our “Growing Explorers” reach their full potential in their vital first five years.

Growing Learners

Learning in the early years is crucial and we believe that strong academic foundations build success for all children’s future learning in formal schooling. “Growing Learners” is all about building the children’s academic knowledge through play-based, age appropriate experiences that promotes confidant learners in a holistic and inclusive environment. “Growing Learners” is about the children’s cognitive (brain development), literacy and numeracy skills, and understanding of the world through science and biology. These crucial areas of learning reflect the EYLF and MTOP and tie into the principles, practices and outcomes. Educators ensure the children are developing these learning areas through intentional teaching and by scaffolding the children’s learning. By doing this educators are actively promoting children’s learning, challenging children and fostering the children to develop new skills and achieve higher levels of thinking. Educators are responsive to not only the children’s interest but also strengths and abilities. Educators approach to holistic learning will ensure all children are actively learning and engaging within our environments.

Growing Technology

Technology is a part of the learning landscape of the future for all children. At Childrenfirst we see our teaching approach of “Growing Technology” as an important aspect of everyday life. Childrenfirst’s strive at ensuring technology is fully integrated with children aged birth to 12 years of age. Technology is a tool that works best hand in hand with a variety of other tools such collaborative teamwork. “Growing Technology” sees the integration of a vast array of specific technologies into the learning environment such as: cd players, audio recording devices, computers, Ipads, cameras, scientific tools such as microscopes, light tables, microphones and software programs.
The Early Years Learning Framework and the My Time our Place documents reflect a strong emphasis on technology as being an important part of children’s learning that is integrated throughout everyday learning and life.