LDCC Philosophy Statement:
At the Loxton District Children’s Centre (Woodleigh) we strive to provide children and families with a warm, caring and nurturing environment to feel safe and secure. We offer a socially and developmentally enriched play based environment and program, where children are supported and encouraged to develop to their full potential.
In relation to children
We believe:
- In acting in the best interest of all children
- Acknowledging children as competent learners
- Each child is unique and individual
- In developing and maintaining respectful and reciprocal relationships with each child
- In providing support for children to feel safe, confident and included
- Meeting individual children’s needs and interests
Therefore we:
- Implement a program relating to the Early Years Learning Framework
- Base and implement experiences based on children’s interests, strengths and capabilities
- Promote children’s strong sense of identity and wellbeing
- Engage in play opportunities with passion, interacting positively and in a warm, friendly, nurturing manner
- Implement an inclusive approach, including children with additional needs
In relation to families
We believe:
- In assisting with a sense of belonging and inclusion
- Developing and maintain positive relationships
- In respecting the uniqueness of each family
- Developing partnerships
- Developing shared planning and practices for children’s learning
Therefore we:
- Will welcome, value and encourage participation from families
- Maintain open communication- sharing mutual trust and communicating positively- honest conversations
- Listen and respect family culture, lifestyles and beliefs
- Communicate about the program- encourage participation
In relation to staff
We believe:
- Building collaborative professional relationships based on trust, respect and honesty
- Acknowledging and supporting personal strengths, experience and diversity which other co- workers bring to work
- Sharing and building knowledge, experience and resources
- Professionalism
Therefore we:
- Listen and respect each others opinions and thoughts
- Provide regular meetings- staff/ room/ leaders
- Openly communicate
- Maintain consistency in each room
- Following and adhering to the Centre Code of Conduct
In relation to communities:
We believe:
- Devising programs which are inclusive
- Learning together within an inclusive community
- In connecting with people, services and support agencies to support children, families and staff
- Work with others to enhance children’s health and wellbeing
Therefore we:
- Engage in local community events
- Encourage visitors to the service
- Work closely with families, services and children to provide support
In relation to the program
We believe:
- Developing a curriculum to enhance children’s learning and development
- The foundation of the program is based on children’s current knowledge, interests and strengths, ideas, culture and abilities
- Documentation is to be available to families
- Each child is to be supported to participate in the program
Therefore we:
- Ensure an ongoing programming cycle of planning, documenting and evaluating
- All educators and children participate in the program
- Encourage families, visitors and communities to participate
- Acknowledge the whole child
- Display programs, routine, learning journal, photos, artwork for families
- Support and encourage children- role modelling and active participation
In relation to the environment
We believe:
- Providing built and natural environments
- Implementing and embedding sustainable practices
- Supporting children to become socially responsible
- Providing a play based environment
Therefore we:
- Provide a variety of natural and man-made resources
- Developing the outdoor play space
- Implement natural materials/ resources inside
- Educating children and supporting the care of natural environments- plants, vegetable gardens, animals etc
- Educate children, staff and families in centre sustainable practices
