At Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool; we aim to provide a warm, caring, supportive environment where children feel happy and safe. We respect each child as a unique and capable individual. Every child has the right to quality education and care, regardless of race, religion, socio-economic status, family structure, lifestyle, disability or gender. We acknowledge and show respect to the people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin and we are committed to respecting the diverse backgrounds of all children and their families and weaving these backgrounds into the fabric of our kindergarten, so that our kindergarten is a place of belonging for all.

Young children are naturally inquisitive and curious about the world around them; therefore, our educational program fosters and nurtures this curiosity by providing a broad range of stimulating experiences both indoors and outdoors. For many the educational aims of the program may not be obvious within an environment which appears to give children a great deal of freedom. As educators we respond to children’s ideas and play using intentional teaching to scaffold and extend each child’s learning. We reflect on children’s learning and development both as individuals and groups to regularly implement changes to our program. We place equal value on the indoor and outdoor environments when planning experiences. Both our indoor and outdoor environments are designed and organized to ensure access and participation by all children attending the service.

Children learn through play; it helps them to come to terms and make sense of their lives and the world around them. Play is therefore the basis of our preschool program as it encourages creativity, self-expression and independence. It also develops concentration, promotes problem solving skills and aids the development of speech through social interactions. Children are encouraged to extend their play in any direction they choose and to take appropriate risks.

Within our service we are also taking an active role to care for the environment and contribute to a sustainable future by teaching the children the importance or recycle, reuse and reduce. We also encourage the children to care for and respect our environment through natural play.

At Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool we follow the Early Years Learning Framework which describes childhood as a time of belonging, being and becoming. Belonging is the basis for living and fulfilling life. Children feel they belong because of the relationships they have with their family, community and culture. Being is about living here and now. Childhood is a special time in life and children need time to just “be”, time to play, try new things and have fun. Becoming is about the learning and development that young children experience. Children start to form their sense of identity from an early age, which shapes the type of adult they will become.

Our program is based on a balance between teacher and child directed experiences and activities. Throughout our program we aim to guide, support and assist children to achieve the five learning outcomes as stated in the Victorian Early Years Framework.

These outcomes are:

Children have a strong sense of identity.

Children are connected with and contribute to their world.

Children have a strong sense of wellbeing.

Children are confident and involved learners.

Children are effective communicators.

It is our belief that children learn best when they feel positive about their own self-worth. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance in our teaching that each child learns to value themselves for what they are and what they can offer others. Staff model appropriate behaviours and provide guidance where necessary to help children socialize, develop respect for one another, assume responsibility for their actions and resolve conflicts.

The role of parents, families and staff is respected and supported through committees, staff induction and the continuity of educators at the service. The success of our program depends on this partnership between parents, community and staff. Our center is committed to open and constructive communication with families which includes discussion, portfolios, daily reflections and newsletters. It is not only the influence of preschool staff but that of parents, peers and community that helps to achieve the overall growth of the child.

Through commitment to continuous improvement, self-assessment, ongoing learning and reflective practices we aim to provide the best for your child’s welfare and education.

We respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the land throughout Victoria and pay our respects to the ongoing living cultures of First People.

 

Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children
We are committed to:

• actively supporting and facilitating participation and inclusion of Aboriginal children, young people and their families within our service
• the safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal children
• providing an educational program that strengthens Aboriginal children’s culture and identity
• actively supporting and encouraging Aboriginal children to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights
• supporting Aboriginal children and their families to identify as Aboriginal without fear of retribution or questioning
• supporting Aboriginal children to maintain connection to their kinship ties, land and country
• supporting Aboriginal children to be taught their cultural heritage by Elders
• facilitating regular training and education on Aboriginal cultural and cultural safety
• establishing policies, procedures, systems and processes to create a culturally safe and inclusive environment and meet the needs of Aboriginal children, young people and their families.

Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool is committed to Child Safety

• We are committed to ensuring our service is a place where Aboriginal children feel safe, respected and valued.
• We commit to consider the safety and wellbeing of children in everything we do.
• We commit to engaging with children in the design of key policies and directions and co-developing an ongoing engagement framework to inform and enrich our work. We commit to developing and sharing child friendly information and pathways for children to contact and engage with the service.
• We commit to communicating with communities about our child safety and wellbeing operations.
• We are committed to understanding the diverse circumstances of children and working to ensure this knowledge informs everything we do.
• • deter and prevent unsuitable people from working or volunteering at our service.
  • ensure that all staff, contractors, volunteers and authorised persons understand and enact their responsibilities to support the safety of children. We commit to reviewing and continuously improving our practices in line with best practice, to identify and take action to address behaviours and practices that place children at risk of abuse.
• We commit to having clear procedures to inform staff, volunteers, contractors and authorised persons of their obligation to report child safety concerns and processes to do so. We respond to disclosures and allegations of abuse in a trauma informed way that removes the barriers to disclosure and manages the risks of further harm to children.
• We commit to ensuring our staff have the skills to keep the safety of children at the centre of everything they do.
• We commit to ensuring our online environment is used in accordance with our Code of Conduct, eSafety and Child Safe Environment and Wellbeing policy and practices. We commit to identifying and mitigating risks to the safety of children in all our operations.
• We are committed to ensuring Child Safe Standards reflect latest research about harm prevention strategies for children and young people.
• We are committed to ensuring our policies and procedures are clearly documented and accessible within our kindergarten programs.