Statement of philosophy

At Banksmeadow Public School Preschool, our philosophy is to view every child as a competent learner. We acknowledge that children learn and develop in different ways and at different rates. Educators recognise that all areas of learning and development are equally important and interconnected.

The key beliefs of our service include:

Children learn through play

Our educators recognise that a play-based program is how young children learn best. We understand our role in facilitating purposeful and authentic play experiences. We believe it is important to provide opportunities for children to experiment, discover, explore, create, practise theories, solve problems, and express ideas. These experiences occur with the support of other children and educators.

Children should be offered a range of fun and interesting activities that challenge their skills and stimulate their curiosity and thinking. We celebrate children’s play, discoveries, and learning through reflection and meaningful documentation.

We provide a supportive, spontaneous, hands-on, and challenging play-based program. We build on children’s experiences, ideas, interests, and cultural backgrounds. The program is always relevant to the children’s real world.

Children learn through interaction with the environment

Our educators believe that children need to feel a sense of belonging. We recognise the importance of all children feeling acknowledged and valued. We offer unhurried opportunities where, through play and interaction, children have the time, choice, and freedom to explore and learn.

We value the benefits of outdoor play and provide opportunities for children to connect with nature. The interactions children have in these spaces encourage them to learn in the outdoors while also fostering respect for and enjoyment of the natural environment. Sustainability is a key component in developing children’s knowledge of and respect for caring for the environment.

Our outdoor and indoor spaces are organised and adapted to support every child’s participation and to engage each child in quality experiences in both built and natural environments.

We provide a safe and secure setting where children can explore and experiment with materials. Our educators believe the process of creating is more important than the finished product.

Children are active contributors to their own learning

We believe that our child-centred program should focus on the developmental needs and learning styles of each child. We understand that, as educators, we need to acknowledge the learning that occurs through play by careful observation and interaction.

Educators explicitly model learning processes and introduce knowledge areas such as mathematics, science, technology, music, and art. We work together with children in these areas, jointly constructing understandings and gradually handing over responsibility for the learning task as the child gains knowledge and confidence.

We believe preschool is the foundation for future education and for values that promote cooperative human endeavour.

We aim to guide and encourage children towards positive and responsible behaviour. We encourage children to show respect, empathy, and understanding towards others.

Partnerships with parents are essential to positive outcomes

We believe the family is the child’s first and most significant educator. We build partnerships with families to share the nurturing and education of their children.

Our educators share information regularly with parents and caregivers to form relationships based on respect, trust, and honesty. We encourage all families to participate in the preschool community and welcome their involvement in our service.

This partnership with families is crucial not only to the development of each child’s sense of worth, wellbeing, and security but also to their sense of community and belonging.

We acknowledge and respect the uniqueness of each child and their family, culture, structure, language, beliefs, and customs. Children learn within the context of their family and extended community, and they bring this knowledge and a wide range of experiences with them to preschool.

We extend this attitude of inclusion, respect, and acceptance to visitors, students, and preschool staff members.

We acknowledge that our preschool stands on the land of the Bidjigal and Gweagal Clans, who traditionally occupied Botany Bay. This land continues to be sacred to them, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Teacher quality is crucial to children’s outcomes

Evidence shows that quality teaching is the single greatest in-school influence on student engagement and achievement. Effective teachers are capable of achieving significantly greater learning gains in their students despite other disadvantages.

School leadership will support our educators to enhance their skills and knowledge throughout their careers through performance management and targeted professional learning.

Our programs

Programs will be guided by Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia, incorporating both an emergent curriculum and intentional teaching. The principles of the framework guide our practice in developing the following five learning outcomes for all students: