We believe that in the environment provided the children must feel safe, secure and confident in their own ability.

• Children are encouraged to develop a strong sense of self-worth fostering the confidence to take risks, share their ideas, and initiate their own learning.

• We recognize the importance of consistent, responsive, and positive staff interactions with children.

All children have the right to a program that allows them to develop to their full potential.

• Children learn through the active exploration of their environment. To provide opportunities for play so that based on their own interests and capabilities, children can manipulate, explore, experiment, interact and imitate.

• To encourage problem solving techniques, powers of reasoning, creativity, and independence.

• To ensure a balance between active and passive play, indoor and outdoor play, and for group and individual experience.

To provide equal opportunity for all children regardless of race, gender, ability, religious or ethnic background.

• To recognize that Australia is a multi-cultural society and that many of our children come from different cultural backgrounds.

• To provide positive attitudes to all cultures while acknowledging similarities and differences between cultural groups. Cultural heritage is an integral part of children’s identity.

• While it is important to recognize the cultural background of children, the program needs to remain free of stereotypical expectations of children.

• Appropriate expectations for children will be based only on each child’s needs and interests.

We believe in the importance of the family in the development of children. Interaction between home and the centre staff is encouraged.

• Families and staff should build supportive relationships so they can share information, expectations, ideas, concerns and skills.

We believe the program should be developmentally appropriate for all children whilst ensuring the flexibility for differing needs, interests, and developmental levels of individual children.

• The program is based on a knowledge of child development. Observation, planning and evaluation by staff is essential to provide a high quality, stimulating and nurturing environment.

• The program will include all developmental areas, i.e. gross/fine motor (physical), social/emotional, language/communication and cognitive skills.

To encourage the development of the children as complete individuals who are confident, caring, social, creative, competent, and have a sense of self-worth. The program will encourage the children to have the skills, concepts and confidence needed for life both in their community and the world. The philosophy may change as the centre grows, with parent input, and as new educational theories are implemented.