At Kate’s Place we have a family and child initiated approach to our children’s programs where the children learn through play.  The curriculum builds on the unique strengths, interests, needs, cultures and experiences of each individual child.  We offer an emergent curriculum so it is flexible and is adapted to meet the individual and group interests, talents and abilities of the children on a daily basis.  Children are observed and educators use intentional teaching strategies to further the children’s learning in the learning outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework.  The children are able to choose from a range of experiences, allowing them to decide what they want to do, how to do it and for how long.  Materials and experiences that are provided are mostly open-ended, enabling children to develop creativity and problem solving skills and to construct their own knowledge.  These are experiences that focus on the process rather than the product.  Throughout each day in our rooms we offer the children creative arts experiences, block play, physical activities, music, movement, language and literacy.  Teachers express general goals, make appropriate preparations to provide a stimulating and involving environment and allow the activities and play to emerge as directed by the children.  Adults structure then environment to encourage verbal interactions amongst children, then join in and extend children’s play where appropriate.

The educators write up a learning story in an individual journal which is available for parents to read.  Parents can contribute to their child’s learning by writing in their child’s journal, on the daily learning program and through conversations with our educators. 

At Kate’s Place we have a certified Kindergarten Program for children in the year prior to prep. For your child to fully benefit  from a kindergarten program they should attend kindergarten 3 days per week or a total of 15 hours in the operating times of the kindergarten, the kindergarten program operates from 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday.    The Kindergarten program is delivered by a four-year qualified early childhood teacher.

Your child will learn through play at Kindergarten.  This occurs by your child participating in play-based learning experiences designed to encourage their emotional, social, physical, intellectual, numeracy, language and literacy skills and abilities.  While at kindergarten your child will; Use language to communicate ideas, feelings and needs; Make friends and learn how to cooperate with other children;  Become more independent and confident in their abilities;  Develop self-discipline;  Use their creativity to express ideas and feelings through art, dance and dramatic play; and Identify, explore and solve problems.

Your child’s teachers will get to know your child’s interests, talents and strengths and will design learning activities to best meet your child’s individual needs.    As parents you are actively encouraged to share your own view and insights about your child to help guide their learning experience.  Your child will also be an active participant as children bring a wealth of knowledge from prior experiences.  This information is put into your child’s portfolio and is given to families at the end of the year for keep sake.

 

The goals of Kate’s Place Early Education and Child Care Centres are to:

1.    Provide a safe, happy and secure environment for children. 

2.    Assist the child to develop a positive self-image, to respect others, to encourage self-reliance and motivation by learning and to foster the ability to make choices, decisions and solve problems.

3.    Provide an Early Childhood Program from which the curriculum is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework.

4.    Provide a creative play based learning environment which embraces a holistic approach to learning.

5.    Promote learning appropriate to the child’s development, range of experience and interests so that the child’s cultural, physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs are met.

6.    Foster the child’s ability to understand, use and appreciate literacy and numeracy.

7.    Assist the child to develop a range of appropriate social behaviours and understandings.

8.    Foster imaginative and creative thinking and expression and to foster participation in a wide range of music, art, movement, dance and drama experiences appropriate to their age and developmental level.

9.    Foster the child’s ability to understand and use a variety of mediums in relation to technology.

10.     Provide the highest standard of health and safety.

11.     Appreciate and support the parent’s role as primary caregivers and educators of their children.

12.     Build partnerships with families and build a sense of trust on which to establish a link between home and child care, in order to develop the best programs to meet the children's needs.

13.     Undertake continual evaluation/improvement and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure high-quality standards.

14.     Provide support for parents/carers who are in need of support within the scope of the childcare setting.

15.     For educators to engage in ongoing learning and reflective practice.

16.     Provide ongoing in-service training for staff to gain further knowledge and understanding of child care and encouragement and support of staff undertaking further studies in Early Childhood fields.

17.     Assist all educators to be pedagogical leaders.

18.     Provide resources and materials necessary for the ongoing development of children in the centre.

Our fees are all inclusive. We supply lunch, morning and afternoon teas, milk and soy milk, sunscreen and tissues, bed linen, face washers and “wet ones”, nursery supplies – nappies, a limited range of formula, bottles, pacifiers and nappy rash cream.

What to bring

• A shady hat for outdoor play
• A spare set of clothes
• Several sets of clothes including undergarments, if your child is toilet training
• If your child has special dietary requirements, it may be necessary for you to provide these. Please discuss this with the Director

We support the National Quality Standards (NQS) and we constantly strive to meet the highest quality standards and requirements.