our philosophy
We recognise and respect the Boon Wurrung / Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we learn, live and play. We value their knowledge and culture, which we embed into our practices.
At Paratea Preschool we are committed to providing a warm, caring, positive and flexible environment for everyone involved within our preschool. We perceive children as capable, competent and co-contributors who actively participate and facilitate their own learning to obtain knowledge about the world around them.
Our play based program provides unique opportunities for children to grow, discover, investigate, create and imagine at their own pace.
The National Quality Framework, Victorian Early Years Leaning and Development Framework and Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan are embedded within our program. Our Reconciliation Action Plan aims to enhance our connections and knowledge of Indigenous cultures and perspectives. We value our relationships with the Boon Wurrung / Bunurong people and appreciate their guidance and feedback. Our Bush Kinder Program enhances children’s understanding of Indigenous perspectives, strengthens their connection to country and instils a sense of responsibility for the land on which they learn, live and play.
Exploring at Bush Kinder provides children with opportunities to connect with country through all seasons and weather, using what nature provides as learning materials. Children develop increased confidence and a strong sense of agency as they take calculated risks, increase physical strength and abilities, practice mindfulness, strengthen their imaginative skills and use their senses to unearth hidden beauties in nature.
The environment welcomes the child to play, take risks, explore, question, discover, create and problem solve.
We value the environment as the third teacher and therefore are committed to creating a safe and secure space that is flexible enough to ensure that each child’s needs are supported. The health and wellbeing of each child and family at Paratea Preschool is paramount. Our intention is to create a safe space in which families and children feel their voices are heard, respected and valued. We want all families to feel welcomed and safe at our preschool and for children to feel safe, happy and empowered.
We appreciate and respect the diverse beliefs, culture and traditions of each family and warmly welcome all to our Preschool as we value families for their unique contributions to our program. Families understand their child better than anyone else and we embrace the knowledge and sharing of information that they provide. A child’s development is positively impacted when families and teachers are connected and collaborate to bridge learning from home and kinder.
Our intention is to support children to be confident, kind and respectful contributors to their community and the wider world.
At Paratea Preschool we increase the children’s awareness of the wider world and their environmental responsibilities, they are encouraged to be involved within sustainable practices everyday. Sustainability to us, is about empowering children to invest in their future by recycling, reusing, gardening, conservation of nature, caring for and respecting land and animals, attending to our worm farms, composting and reducing waste.
Children are the future and they should feel confident, empowered and excited about the future. By engaging them with a variety of opportunities, experiences, investigations and exploring within nature children are extending on their sense of self and their place within the world.
At Paratea Preschool we enjoy creating memories and providing a strong positive foundation for each child’s learning journey.
