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Our Philosophy

‘A Joyful Beginning’

Plenty Kids Early Learning Centre belongs to the wider �Ͼ�Ʒ�� community and shares the values and vision of the college.

Vision

To be a �Ͼ�Ʒ�� learning community with the creative and responsive mind of Christ.

Values

The college operates within the context of �Ͼ�Ʒ�� faith.

The following areas identify the agenda of our partnered journey in education:

Faith, Wisdom, Truth, Grace, Character, Service and Love

Because we are image-bearers of Christ, we…

Nurture Godly character

Strive for excellence

Learn courageously

Build community

Actively steward

Motto

In Christ: Wisdom and Knowledge.

At Plenty Kids Early Learning Centre, we foster creative, responsive and respectful relationships and learning opportunities where children can discover, flourish and become all that God intends them to be.

BE YOURSELF

We believe that children are individuals who are loved by God and made in the image of God and that no two children are the same. We cherish each child and family’s diverse culture, values, and experiences. We aim to provide safe, equitable and accepting learning environments that reflect and enrich the lives and identities of children and families.

Our focus is to nurture children as they build their self-esteem, and to support and reinforce an emerging sense of self-identity, belonging and resilience. We truly believe in each child’s unique capacity to be amazing.

RELATIONSHIPS AND CONNECTIONS

We focus on fostering relational spaces where trusting, warm and reciprocal connections with others can be built, as we believe that through these interactions and attachments, a child’s innate strengths, skills and potential can be maximised.

Through the creation of opportunities for cooperative and positive interactions with other children, families, teachers, and the wider community, children acquire vital social knowledge and skills.

Each child is supported and encouraged to develop responsibility for their actions and interactions with others, as they develop an understanding and respect for the interrelationships between themselves, others, the natural and constructed environment.

The special ‘character’ of Plenty Kids is primarily built around the genuinely collaborative and committed relationships between families, children and educators.

Parents and families are treasured and invaluable contributors to the Plenty Kids community and are encouraged to be actively involved as ‘Session Helpers’ in each and every learning session.

OPENNESS AND SPONTANEITY

We strive to foster an atmosphere of openness, where ‘what is possible’ has not been predefined. Mutual discovery and learning are fostered so that each child’s unique way of experiencing, being and interacting with the world can be recognised and supported.

Naturally occurring and intuitive opportunities within our indoor and outdoor learning environments encourage and inspire children to imaginatively explore, experiment, invent, question, and solve problems. We focus on sensitively recognising, celebrating, and extending what unfolds for each child within open-ended, play-based learning experiences.

BUILDING ON STRENGTHS

Active learning through play is facilitated by providing a range of opportunities, environments, and experiences built thoughtfully around each child’s individual strengths, ideas, and interests.

Strengths that emerge through creative play-based learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, persistence and reflexivity are carefully acknowledged and celebrated so that they can become part of a child’s lifelong attitudes towards learning and being.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Through regular informal discussions, staff meetings, parent and college meetings, we constantly reflect on, and ask ourselves “How we can do better?”

Educators at Plenty Kids are encouraged to engage in reflective practice and critically reflect on our philosophy, values, vision, motto and ethics to guide decision making. We recognise and value the knowledge and commitment of educators and fully support their continued professional learning.

Plenty Kids Early Learning Centre’s philosophy reflects the foundations of the Plenty Kids Biblical Framework, Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and National Quality Framework. We believe that a philosophy statement changes as new insights are gained and practice is evaluated.