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Philosophy

Our Philosophy underpins our actions; it guides our practices, our approach to learning, development and well-being. This living document reflects our values and beliefs to support our children, educators and the wider community.

Relationships with Children and Families:

Relationships with children and their families form the foundation of our philosophy and practices here at Glenelg Community Child Care.  Staff seek to build strong, collaborative, positive, respectful and trusting relationships with all children, families, and each other.  We pride ourselves in providing a ‘warm, family environment’ for all families to feel welcome and provided with warmth and care just as much as their child.

Children, Families and Communities:

We believe children are capable, curious, and dynamic learners, crucial in supporting planning, documentation, and the curriculum.  As educators, our primary commitment is to support and scaffold children’s development and learning.  Our educational approach emphasizes on play-based learning giving children freedom and learning through exploration and open-ended play.  Play-based learning with intentionality can expand children’s thinking and enhance their desire to know and to learn, promoting positive dispositions towards learning.  We value promoting an inclusive, supportive, sustainable, and stimulating learning environment.  This environment sparks imagination and creativity and offers opportunities for problem-solving and nurturing independence.  Collaboration among children, educators, and families is a cornerstone of our philosophy.  The collaborative approach enhances our understanding of the child as a holistic individual.

Celebrating Diversity and Connection to Country:

Our service understands that it is a part of a broader community. We value families, their cultural beliefs, and ways of being and doing. Educators strive to introduce and include opportunities to explore our community and the cultures within it. We acknowledge that our community is built on the traditional lands of the Kaurna Nation. We pay our respect to the   Elders of the Kaurna Nation, past, present and emerging, the custodians of the country since the beginning.

 

The children’s development and learning is outlined and is modelled by the principles, practices and outcomes “Being, Belonging and Becoming” – The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia.  Through this curriculum, we can collaboratively work with children and their families to promote their interests and learning through inspirational experiences, and innovative interactions that promote self-awareness and environmental understanding.  Our Programs are developed and extend upon the children’s interests.  We understand that children come to us with their own knowledge and predispositions, they are not simply an empty vessel waiting to be filled with knowledge.  We believe that children have the right to an education that maximises their abilities and respects their family and cultural background.

Our Educational Program and Practice:

 

 

We believe that children’s learning is dynamic, complex and holistic.  We believe that the environment is the third teacher.  Through our intentional thoughts, we provide and environment where children can explore, inquire and experiment with materials in a creative interesting setting.  Our programs promote children to become long-life learners who are confident and creative individuals.

Educators:

Educators are advocates for young children, families, the early childhood profession, and play.  We will engage in ongoing reflection about our practices and procedures to drive continuous improvement and to ensure each child can maximise their learning opportunities.

As educators, we believe that we too are learning within our current context.  With this, we are constantly developing and building our professional knowledge through education and training in which we work together to evaluate and assess our practices in order to identify key factors that need further improvement or adds value to our environment.

Supporting Statement

To support the philosophy in relation to children:

  • Educators will promote and respect children’s rights.
  • We will accept and cater for all children’s individual and unique developmental needs.
  • We will adhere to positive behaviour and guidance techniques, offering safe choices.
  • Interactions with children will be consistent, nurturing, and positive.
  • Children will be given opportunities to become independent, build self-esteem, confidence and resilience.
  • Children will be listened to and involved in decision making, children’s voice.

To support the philosophy in relation to families:

  • We will value and respect families, celebrating cultural diversity, family structure and needs.
  • We will work in partnership with families when supporting a child’s development.
  • We will foster open communication creating a trusting and positive relationship between home and childcare.
  • We will encourage and offer opportunities for families and important people in their child’s life to become involved in the entre.
  • Confidentiality will be maintained. listen to and learn with families and engage in shared decision making, planning and assessment practices in relation to children’s learning, development and wellbeing.

To support the philosophy in relation to Educators:

  • Educators will have a commitment to the provision of high-quality care and education for children.
  • Educators acknowledge Aboriginal Cultural and the Kaurna Lands we play and work on.
  • Educators will promote children’s rights; risk taking and challenge their thinking and ideas.
  • Educators will be child focused, positive role models and responsive to children’s needs.
  • Educators will be professionals within the Early Childhood Education sector.
  • Educators will work as a team complimenting each other’s individuality and skills.
  • Communication between Educators will occur respectfully while taking into account the views of all in the team and the needs of children and the Centre.
  • Educators members’ right to a safe work environment will be respected and provided for.
  • Educators will have a commitment to furthering their knowledge, reflecting on their practices and taking part in professional growth and development.
  • Educators will work in partnership with families, using open and honest communication to achieve the best outcomes for children.
  • Encourage educators to foster and act in accordance with the Code of Ethics, and take action in the presence of unethical behaviours
  • Educators will have a commitment to incorporate the Centre’s values into their daily practices.

To support the philosophy in relation to the environment:

  • We will provide an environment in which children feel safe and confident, physically and emotionally.
  • The environment will meet all work OH&S standards.
  • We will provide an environment that feels welcoming and nurturing.
  • The environment will provide a variety of spaces to cater for all needs.
  • The environment will be aesthetically pleasing.
  • We will provide a stimulating environment, reflecting our program.
  • The outdoor play areas will be a celebration of our natural environment.
  • We will foster children’s connections with the natural world.
  • We will promote sustainability within our service.

To support the philosophy in relation to Food and Nutrition:

  • We will support families in their children’s dietary needs.
  • Meals will be positive opportunities for children to interact with adults and peers.
  • We will provide a well-balanced, nutritionally sound menu.
  • Our menu will reflect multicultural Australia including Aboriginal influences.
  • Children’s individual food needs and special dietary needs will be catered for with respect and care, offering the same type of menu (as close as possible) to the main Centre menu.
  • Our programs will incorporate experiences encouraging a positive, healthy outlook to food and healthy lifestyle.

To support the philosophy in relation to the program:

  • We will implement a developmentally appropriate program formed using the programming cycle and the Early Years Learning Framework.
  • Our program will be play based with a holistic approach.
  • Stimulating experiences for individuals as well as the group will be programmed.
  • Our programs will be educational, offering challenges and the opportunity to extend children’s knowledge and emerging interests.
  • Our program will provide a balance of indoor/outdoor, intentional teaching, spontaneous and child-initiated experiences.
  • Our program will reflect the professional nature of our staff.
  • Our program will be effectively communicated to families to ensure that they are connected to the child’s world outside of the Centre.
  • Learn about local community contexts and aspirations in order to create responsive programs to enhance children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
  • Reflecting and embedding the importance of reconciliation through acknowledging the traditional owners of the Adelaide Plains, the Kaurna People.

To support the philosophy in relation to the community:

  • We will maintain the principles of a not-for-profit organisation.
  • Promote a sense of acknowledgement and respect for all within our service community.
  • The Centre’s enrolments will be managed in an equitable, transparent manner, adhering to all government guidelines.
  • We will maintain positive relationships with our neighbours and other stakeholders.
  • We will maintain strong relationships with local, state and federal governments.
  • Partnerships with outside agencies will be fostered to work with staff and families to support children in the Centre.
  • Acknowledge the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their history.
  • To build respectful connections with local Kaurna people, to better understand their sense of country and strengthen their identities within our community by embedding into our curriculum.
  • Promote the value of children’s contribution as citizens to the development of strong communities.

To support the philosophy in relation to the Centre’s management:

  • The Centre’s constitution will be abided by at all times.
  • The committee will maintain the critical link between the Centre and the community.
  • Decisions made by the committee will be proactive and in accordance with Centre policy, philosophy and government guidelines.
  • The Centre’s policies are transparent and will be abided by at all times.
  • The committee will ensure the financial viability of the Centre and provide childcare at a fair cost.
  • The committee will ensure quality requirements are met and will strive for continual quality improvement.

Supporting documents:

Code of Ethics

Early Childhood Australia. (2017). Code of Ethics. ACT: Early Childhood Australia.

ECA Code of Ethics

UPDATED FEB 2025