Curriculum
Our educational program is based upon the principles of the National Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF): Belonging, Being and Becoming. This is specifically designed to ensure all children learn at their own pace, have a strong sense of wellbeing and identity, develop effective communication skills and become confident and active learners while attending our centre and through their transition to school. The framework has a strong emphasis on play based learning which enables all children to express creative ability, release emotions and share their feelings.
Our Philosophy
We believe that learning is an ongoing journey and each child will progress towards their highest ability in different and equally meaningful ways. As children’s learning is not always predictable and linear, our educators plan each day with both spontaneous and intentional teaching strategies. Depending on age, we have three different groups to support the learning and growth of each child. These groups focus on specific physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language developmental milestones.
Busy Bees
( 0-2 year olds )
Our Busy Bees room caters for children who are 6 weeks to 2 years old. We provide a warm and nurturing environment designed to stimulate early brain development with engaging experiences as they learn to explore and play.
Caterpillars
( 2-3 year olds )
Our Caterpillar group caters for children who are 2 to 3 years old. Our educators guide children to feel secure and supported, develop a strong sense of emotional and physical wellbeing, become aware of fairness, respect and equality and become effective communicators.
Butterflies
( 3-6 year olds )
Our Butterfly group caters for children who are 3-6 years old. Our educators plan meaningful activities that enhances the learning and development of children’s fine motor and gross motor skills. Our School Readiness Program for children aged 3 to 6 years is based on the National Early Years Learning Framework that recognises the importance of communication and language, including early literacy and numeracy skills, scientific experiments as well as social and emotional development. We foster an empowering learning environment that is challenging and stimulating so that all children are equipped with the necessary skills needed to transition to school successfully.
Our program ensures that all children develop social, listening, conflict-resolution, negotiation, language and communication skills. We incorporate the use of information and communication technologies to access information, investigate ideas, represent their thinking and build a strong sense of identity.
Co-Curricular Activities
We take a holistic approach to your child’s learning and development which is why our curriculum is effectively complemented with a variety of co-curricular activities and experiences.
Outdoor Play
All children have the opportunity for both indoor and outdoor play as part of each group’s routine. The outdoor area is an essential part of children’s learning environment as it is specifically designed to enhance children’s gross motor skills including co-ordination, balance and strength. With a strong focus on Sun Safety, we have a large shaded outdoor play area with a large sandpit. This increases children’s sensory skills, hand-eye coordination, creativity and language development.
Gardening
Gardening helps children recognise the senses, build physical strength and coordination and appreciate nature. We notice that children feel a strong sense of accomplishment when a new plant or vegetable starts growing. This teaches them the value of hard work. Gardening also promotes healthy eating as children understand how vegetables are grown which makes them interested in eating them too!
Yoga
Children derive enormous benefits from Yoga. Our educators are trained to teach children Yoga through Zenergy Yoga. This methodology focuses on developing the ‘whole child’, physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. It enhances their flexibility, strength, coordination, body awareness, concentration, sense of calmness and relaxation.
Music & Dance
Music, song and dance activities are an important part of our everyday practices as this ignites all areas of child development and skills including intellectual thinking, language and communication, social and emotional intelligence, coordination and self-expression.
Sustainability
We encourage parents, staff and children to become more conscious members of society by focusing our curriculum on the importance of protecting our environment and also by providing diverse experiences and skills that promote environmental sustainability.
We focus on planning everyday routines that promote the importance of producing a more sustainable world.
Languages
Research proves that children who are exposed to different languages at a young age do better in literacy and numeracy tests when compared against children who have never learned another language. The opportunity to learn another language can also improve intercultural understanding and may support children to better appreciate their own cultures, languages and beliefs as well as those of others. Here at Parramatta Preschool and Long Day Care, we teach Mandarin to all children aged 4-6 years old. We use a play based program, Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA), which includes a series of interactive applications that make language learning engaging and exciting. This program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and is managed by Education Services Australia.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recognition
Our entire curriculum focuses on teaching children, parents and staff about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the importance of reconciliation. We acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
