
Philosophy
We acknowledge that all children have a strong sense of identity that they have developed since birth. At Adelong Preschool we recognize that each child, family, and educator is unique in their values, culture, and abilities. We value and accept this diversity within our families through acknowledging, accepting, and celebrating these differences in our preschool environment. We believe that by doing this all children will continue to develop a strong sense of self and empowerment in their world.
Adelong Preschool acknowledge the original custodians of this land, the Wiradjuri and Wolgalu people, languages, and cultures. We pay our respect to Elders, past, present, and emerging and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our local community. We believe it is important to respect and work closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their cultures as we embed and create meaningful connections, practices and learning opportunities for our next generations at Adelong Preschool.
We believe trust, respect and open communication form the basis for strong partnerships between families and preschool educators. We believe family involvement is integral to a high-quality preschool and preschool program. Parents and families are the child’s first educators and influence the child’s lifelong learning. We believe the Adelong Preschool is part of the wider community, that children are an integral part of this community. We aim to meet the needs of the community and its people through this mutual understanding and collaboration. We encourage parents and families to play an active role in preschool by being involved in the program, preschool operation, excursions, and special days.
We believe all children are connected with and contribute to their world and learn through play. We believe play is essential in the lives of young children as a learning tool. The environment as the third teacher, stimulates the imagination, social interaction and enhances the child’s development. We believe in celebrating children’s play, a framework where they can openly experiment, achieve, and evaluate experiences, discoveries and continued learning by providing a variety of learning experiences. Educators document children’s learning through meaningful learning stories, child’s voices, observations, and photos. These documentations, children’s ideas, parents’ input, discussions with other professionals and children as well as intentional teaching moments all help in the development of the program. The educators and children take opportunities to reflect on the day, program, the children and how the learning environments are set up. This reflection also influences the program structure and the delivering of the program.
All children are confident and involved learners in our preschool environment. We believe that children are capable and resourceful learners who are active contributors to their own learning. Children develop confidence and positive self-esteem through a supportive, safe, engaging, caring and secure environment. All children have right to a safe, secure environment that aims to nurture and further enhance development in all aspects. We encourage and support children to interact and work collaboratively, express empathy for other and actively challenge bias and social injustice. This is achieved by educators playing an active role in children’s play and learning experiences. Educator’s role model these behaviours, encourage children to try all experiences, participate in group experiences, support, and assist children in their learning.
We believe all children are effective communicators. This includes verbal and nonverbal communication. We believe all children and their families have a voice and that these should be heard and their opinions, and ideas respected. Communication is vital in encouraging children to accept and value themselves as well as other. Educators encourage and role model empathy and social justice for the children to take responsibility for their actions and to recognise how their actions affect others. We feel that working and sharing with families is important in forming partnerships for supporting their child’s learning and wellbeing.
We believe that preschool education is important and that all children in the community should have equal opportunity to attend. We take opportunities to improve our environments through community involvement, fundraising and applying for philanthropy to assist with minimising costs for the families and staying financially sustainable. We encourage family and community participation to become involved with any preschool fundraisers.
We believe that the educators are essential to a preschool program and education. We employ educators who are caring, nurturing, and educated or training in child development. We believe in continuing to further develop and extend on our staff knowledge base through professional development. By providing staff the opportunities to complete further learning enhances the program and practices.
Adelong preschool has a strong commitment to the environment and the ongoing education of our future generation towards sustainability. We believe that the early childhood years is the perfect opportunity to foster and develop lifelong skills in caring for their environment through fostering sustainable practices. We believe that children’s sense of wonder and love for their natural environment builds a foundation for a positive and respectful approach to their environment into the future.
We believe that each child, family, and educator is a unique and valued individual. We hope to give your child and family a valuable early learning experience which will instill a desire and love to learn for the rest of their life.
Adelong Preschool pays respect to the Wiradjuri and Wolgalu peoples, the traditional custodians of the land on which we work, play and learn. We recognise their continuing connections to land, water, and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging.
Sustainability Statement
Adelong preschool has a strong commitment to the environment and the ongoing education of our future generation towards sustainability.
We believe that the early childhood years is the perfect opportunity to foster and develop lifelong skills in caring for their environment through fostering sustainable practices. We believe that children’s sense of wonder and love for their natural environment builds a foundation for a positive and respectful approach to their environment into the future.