Our Philosophy
Our kindergarten has a long established, outstanding reputation for providing the highest quality early childhood education.
Our core values and beliefs guide our professional practice, along with our commitment to developing strong community ties and a kindergarten environment that warms, welcomes and creates a sense of wonder for all within.
Our values and beliefs within our philosophy
encompass the following:
Children
Play based experiences are the underlying pedagogy that best support children’s ongoing learning and development.
Social and cultural contexts contribute to children’s growing identity and positive relationships with others.
Children’s positive self-identity develops and success in learning occurs, when they have a sense of belonging along with secure, responsive relationships.
Active engagement and child centred learning through meaningful inquiries, shape experiences within the curriculum.
Experiences that facilitate creative thinking, problem solving and challenge deepen children’s learning.
Our practice is informed by:
Attachment Theory (The Circle of Security) understands that secure, trusting relationships with adults support young children to thrive.
Socio Cultural Theory recognises social relationships impact children’s experiences, play and peers support children in the learning process.
Partnerships
Families and the broader community have an active role in the curriculum and these partnerships are valued and supported.
Ongoing collaboration between educators, families and the community strengthen relationships, creating opportunities for active participation within our kindergarten.
Equity and diversity and inclusivity for all, as our kindergarten recognises and celebrates similarities and difference.
Our early childhood environment supports equal participation and positive recognition for all.
Our practice is informed by:
Contemporary Theory acknowledges areas such as equity, inclusiveness, social justice and gender and is influenced by an anti-bias curriculum.
Sustainability
Our kindergarten is a sustainable living and learning community.
We actively protect the natural environment through consistent sustainable practices that are taught within our curriculum.
Sustainable practices include: litter free lunch boxes, worm farming, composting, recycling and energy conservation.
Our practice is informed by:
Education for Sustainability (EfS) which recognises the vital role children and indeed all of us have in assuming responsibility for action that supports sustainable living.
Reflective Practice
Early childhood educators continually engage in reflective practice, seeking to develop professional knowledge and skills.
Ongoing reflection and learning enriches the educators and the early childhood community’s practices.
Children are involved in reflective practices that support their learning, communication and relationships with others.
Questioning, examining and looking at differing perspectives will reinforce practice that promotes best outcomes for children and families.
Our practice is informed by:
The Reggio Emilia Theory which values the child as strong, rich, capable, and resilient. The environment is often referred to as the ‘third teacher’ supporting uninterrupted exploration, play and learning.
First Nations People
Mermaid Waters Community Kindergarten acknowledges Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the traditional custodians of the lands, sea, and skies across Australia.
We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and share our friendship, connection and kindness. We give thanks for sharing and caring for country, the land we love to learn and play on.
We value our rich surrounding community and acknowledge the uniqueness of every child and family. We are committed to building cultural knowledge and understanding within our kindergarten community and beyond.
United Nations Rights of the Child
Our vision is that every young child is thriving and learning.
Our work is guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, using the 4 Key principles-
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Every child everywhere experiences a good life.
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The best interests of children always come first.
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Survival, development, and protection of all children.
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Children have a voice - the right to be listened to and involved in decision making.
Our kindergarten children’s voices reflect their aspiration to play, to be known as grown up (capable), to be cared for as individuals and to care for their kindergarten.
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Mermaid Waters Community Kindergarten is committed to inspiring curiosity, a love for learning and a strong sense of self in every child.
Through the involvement of educators, families and the community, our early childhood education provides the foundation for every child to develop a lifelong understanding of the magic of education, relationships and community.