PHILOSOPHY…
Cherrybrook Community Pre-School gives children the best start in life through:
Children belonging, being and becoming
• A program that supports and gives opportunities to explore, create, problem-solve, and develop
critical thinking, social skills, compassion and kindness through play-based learning in a caring
and respectful environment.
• Children working independently and collaboratively to gain confidence and resilience through
daily opportunities to express their ideas and creativity.
• A balance of intentional teaching and spontaneous experiences to inform, educate and encourage
a love of learning.
• Holistic approaches that provide interesting and meaningful experiences that include the
physical, social, personal, cognitive aspects, including creative numeracy, literacy, science,
technologies and spiritual areas of learning.
• Our outdoor learning spaces to encourage exploration and a connection with nature positively
impacting children’s appreciation, wellbeing, understanding of insects, gardens and observance
of seasonal changes via deciduous trees and flowering plants.
• Children’s voices forming part of the decision making in all aspects of the program, fostering a
sense of belonging for every child.
• Consistent opportunities to play, role play, socialise, challenge thinking and have fun, to lay the
foundation for our children to be become lifelong learners and informed and creative individuals.
Educators facilitating and creating a safe nurturing environment
• Experienced educators committing to upholding children’s rights and empowering children to
have a voice while keeping them safe. We actively integrate the Child Safe Standards to cultivate a
child safe culture where child safety and wellbeing is paramount. Educators participate in regular
professional development, the implementation of clear and accessible reporting procedures, and
open communication with both children and families to ensure every voice is heard and valued.
• Educators being qualified, mandatory reporters with up to date first aid and a WWCC.
• A team-based approach drawing on each other’s unique strengths and professional/ personal
philosophies.
• Observing children’s interests and development to develop a program with intrinsically motivating
activities. Educators give enough support to scaffold and progress each child to their next level in
their learning.
• Creating a culture of continuous improvement through critical reflection and professional
development to guide practice.
• Through B You, an early learning initiative, we promote good mental health and wellbeing practices
for children, families and educators.
• Fostering an environment where all stakeholders understand and practice digital safety.
• Valuing each child as unique, capable and competent as they are supported in the transition to
school.
Families and Community in partnership with Educators
• Valuing families interests and culture to enrich our program.
• Open communication and collaboration in partnerships with families to support children’s
learning through shared goals.
• Inviting families to participate and share their skills and input into our program.
• Connections with local schools and Allied health workers which form a part of our strong sense of
Community.
• Valuing diversity in families, culture and recognition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
perspectives, maintaining cultural safety. We recognise the Darug people as traditional
custodians of our land.
• Fostering connections among families, helping them form supportive social networks within our
community.
• Offering community resources for families.
• Sustainability practices that children, families and educators are encouraged to take an active role
in promoting and supporting a sustainable future.
We are a genuine community pre-school with a learning environment that is positive, safe, respectful,
and inclusive, reflecting and enriching the diverse lives and identities of our community.
Belonging:- knowing where and with whom they belong,
Being:- the significance of the present,
Becoming:- the process of change with learning and growing (pg 6, EYLF).
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – Children’s Week
https://www.nswchildrensweek.org.au/un-convention-on-the-rights-of-the-child
Child Safe Standards from NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian
https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/