Learning Journey

We see every child is a unique individual that grows and develops at their own pace. We aim to provide quality education for each child at the Preschool with opportunities to learn and develop in their own ways and in their own time.

Children’s voices are an essential part of our program. We consistently discuss with the children what they are learning, what they have enjoyed and what they would like to do and learn at preschool. These discussions are used to then provide further activities and learning for the children. Our children’s voices are woven throughout each day into our program.

The building blocks of our program are:

Play based learning.
Lots of opportunities for self-selection and discovery.
Based on each and every individual child.
Links to the Early Years Learning Framework

Our planning includes open ended experiences both indoors and outdoors. Both learning environments are of equal value. Language and literacy, music and movement, small and large group experiences are woven into the daily routines.

We promote children being involved and leading their own learning through opportunities for all children to share their thoughts, ideas, interests and questions and using these to base our program on. Educators also observe children to identify their interests, strengths and areas to build their development in as individuals and as part of small and large groups.

We aim to communicate with families in a variety of ways to meet each individual family’s needs.

Each individual child has their own portfolio created throughout the year. These are sent home each term for family input and given to families at the end of the year. The children’s portfolios contain observations and information related to each child’s learning journey at Preschool including art work, photos and children’s voices.

We also provide communication through:

Written records of Group Discussions with Children.
Day book of happenings at Preschool each week
Newsletters
Emails and other forms of Communication

Our Preschool is committed to building everyone’s awareness of their own and other cultures. We take every opportunity to learn all about our world and our place in it and how we are all connected and contribute to the world around us.

In 2016 we had some special visitors at our preschool and visited Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre. We learnt a lot about Wiradjuri culture. Read our book about why we love learning about Aboriginal culture at Burrumbuttock Preschool.

DOWNLOAD: Learning about Culture at Burrumbuttock Preschool

Throughout each year a range of projects lead by the children are developed and the learning journey they follow is up to the children involved.

For example:

A group of children began to show an interest in farm play, especially using the block area to explore farm life. This play was recorded and became a project that went for the entire year. The children lead the play and sourced resources they required including making them with craft materials. Educators also extended on play in many ways with addition of resources and discussions to further develop our learning in this area.

As a whole group we explored products from farms with fruit tasting and making goat’s milk soap with the children.

Children’s Voices also are communicated through their own creations. We celebrate each child’s achievements through a range of creative expressions.