St Paul’s Church Hall
Pearce’s Corner
Wahroonga
Phone: 
(02)9489 3699

PO Box 233
Wahroonga
NSW  2076

PETER RABBIT COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

Welcome to our learning environment; as a team of early childhood professionals we thank you for allowing us the opportunity to become a partner with you in the first steps of your child’s learning journey.

At Peter Rabbit Community Preschool we offer an environment where children’s well-being, learning and development are considered through the context of the family and community in which we co-exist.  Each family is respected and its individuality celebrated as we work towards positive partnerships within the pre-school community.  This respect will be displayed through acceptance of all abilities, cultural heritages and religious backgrounds.  We acknowledge the importance of being non-judgemental or biased through our interactions and plans, and encourage all to be involved in all aspects of the program.

Flexibility is a major key to the success of the program, along with collaboration and communication between children, families and staff to create a setting where all voices are heard and respected. Parents assist in this important process with staff, ensuring the program reflects the values of the people who use it.

As educators, we believe in the importance of being responsive to the child as an individual, showing them care and nurturing them through this unique time in their lives.  This will be achieved through the development of trusting relationships; the provision of an emerging program and the offering of authentic experiences relevant to the children and families within the pre-school. 

Our program acknowledges the importance of time for children, allowing them uninterrupted periods to explore, to experiment and to look more closely; to re-visit experiences allowing understanding and knowledge to grow and to come to a level of mastery.  We place great value on giving children time to find ways of achieving this for them selves, encouraging creativity in their pursuits, and developing awareness that there is not always one way of making, thinking or doing.  This encourages independent learning and as we are part of this process, we accept the responsibility of acknowledging children as capable, competent and resourceful people. 

Our learning environment will be happy and positive, living and breathing and always adaptable to those who are part of it.  The natural world will be highly valued for its potential for learning through found materials, and we will create aesthetically pleasing play spaces which encourage children’s inquisitiveness.  As we discover together in this collaborative process, individual opportunities for challenge and extension are enhanced.

Children are encouraged to be part of decision-making processes within the preschool, being made aware of safety and hygiene, as well as care for self and others.  Everyone in the preschool environment will behave in ways which are acceptable to all.  We encourage one another’s strengths and will help each other to grow in understanding of respect and compassion. 

Children will be educated to have consideration for the environment and to be thoughtful in their use of resources.  They will be encouraged to; learn skills for living, accept and tolerate others, appreciate difference, question information, develop self reliance and make good choices.

Careful observation will reveal what is individually appropriate for each child.  We also consider their learning style, temperament and personality in conjunction with our knowledge and understanding of child development.  Viewing the child holistically, and in relation to their peer group, will ensure all developmental areas are carefully planned for and extended over time.  As educators we are researchers with children, delighting in their and our own discoveries; and through this partnership we offer praise, encouragement and genuine interest. 

Documenting children’s work will show that we value their play and allow insights in to their thought processes and help them make sense of their learning as information is both visual and verbal, giving opportunities to revisit and discuss events through reflection.  This documentation will allow us to share stories of their discoveries and successes and in so doing invite families into a relationship of reciprocity with us.

For staff, planning with flexibility and collaboration will allow for mutually creative thinking, discussion, reflection and time to interpret children’s interests to create real opportunities for learning.  As a team, we support, encourage and challenge one another through respectful interaction and the sharing of knowledge and resources.  We recognise one another’s strengths and work together to create an environment where harmony exists for children and families, but also where ideas and teaching is challenged to continue the growing and learning process for all at Peter Rabbit.  We hope to always share in the children’s joy of learning and discovery; and never to forget to look through the eyes of the child.