Special Feature
COMPETENT, CAPABLE, ACTIVE LEARNERS – EARLY CHILDHOOD AT WOODLEIGH Woodleigh School’s Early Childhood Centres are communities where children are viewed as competent, capable, active learners. We ‘Value Childhood’ and have high expectations for all children, families and educators, and operate with the belief that learning can happen anywhere, anytime.
that recognise the varied cultural backgrounds, abilities, interests, needs and learning styles of all children.
Value Childhood is an understanding of how special, unique and fleeting childhood is. It is letting children be children; knowing the educational and social importance of play and discovery – the value of imagination and struggle. It is the development of individual learning programs that challenge and engage. It is where students’ best efforts are expected and acknowledged, both in and beyond the classroom.
We believe children learn best through meaningful play. Our program is play-based and child-centred. It offers children the opportunity to make choices, take responsible risks, learn in collaboration with others and develop their curiosity and thinking skills. All are skills that we believe are essential for lifelong learning and nurturing a fulfilled and confident child. Relationships are the cornerstone of our program. Children in our Centre are viewed within the context of their family and culture and as such we strive to work in partnership with families to support the learning and identity of all children.
We believe that children learn in collaboration with others. Along with their families and educators, children attending our Minimbah and Penbank Centres belong to a community of learners who work in an optimistic, progressive environment.
There is a genuine sense of mutual respect between staff, children and families and this is reflected in the strong caring community who share a common goal: to give children the fundamental right to an education that prepares them for life as well as school.
We believe in the individuality of children and strive to support students to feel empowered to express themselves in whatever way feels right for them. We embrace originality and the joy of creative expression. Our preschool provides inclusive programs
If you would like to know more about Woodleigh School’s Early Childhood programs at our Minimbah (Frankston South) and Penbank (Moorooduc) Campuses, please contact our enrolments office on (03) 5971 6100 or email enrol@woodleigh.vic.edu.au
E ssence
52 | PENINSULA
March 2020