Seen | Known | Heard | Loved

We believe that children are not only curious, capable & competent, but also resilient citizens with rights. Our approach emphasises giving full attention & engagement during experiences with children, allowing us to witness & nurture their incredible competencies & understandings. 

We value & respect each child's agency, as they actively take charge of their learning journey, initiating & leading their educational exploration. We understand that fostering a sense of belonging is paramount to children and we celebrate the diversity that each child brings, ensuring they can flourish and learn in their own unique way. 

Rights of The Child

As advocates for children to be viewed as citizens with rights we see educator’s roles involving experiences we are doing with or alongside children rather than for or to children, empowering them to actively participate in decisions that directly impact their lives. We believe in granting children the entitlement to take on age-appropriate responsibilities that align with their development, promoting them to thrive & grow. 

We believe in the importance of meaningful & holistic experiences tailored to each child's knowledge, strengths, ideas, culture, abilities, & interests. By offering choices & control over their learning, children develop a deeper understanding of actions, decisions, achievements & consequences, while also learning to assess & manage appropriate risks. 

Play as Meaningful Learning 

We recognise that play is a crucial aspect of learning, allowing children to make sense of the world authentically. Decades of developmental psychology research supports the idea that play is the most effective way for young children to learn, develop social skills & regulate emotions. Our play-based service encourages self-directed learning, curiosity & problem-solving, providing children with the readiness to embrace new challenges confidently.

Mixed-Age Grouping

Our mixed-age grouping approach allows children to interact with peers ranging from 2 to 5 years old, allows children to blend & interact with peers at different developmental stages, promoting respect & social skills within a diverse community. By focusing on relationships across the service, we create enriching experiences and holistic planning for the entire group. This approach allows our team to create physical spaces that cater to a wide range of needs, purposes and learning preferences.

We celebrate the uniqueness and culture of every child, family & member of our community. We deeply respect the history & backgrounds of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, and strive to include their culture & voices within our Service in a respectful manner to those in our local community. 

At Early Learning Rituals, acceptance, inclusivity, and diversity are the cornerstones of our approach, creating a warm & welcoming environment where every child thrives.  We understand children flourish when given the freedom to develop at their own pace & in their own ways. 

Our environment is thoughtfully designed to be the third teacher, embracing nature & supporting the holistic development, rights, health & wellbeing of our children within a close-knit community.

We believe in providing real and authentic learning experiences, including using open-ended, durable, natural, sustainable & ethical resources. We aim to reduce the impact we have on the earth by reducing the use of single-use plastics, and embracing reusing/upcycling materials, toys & resources. By offering a wide range of resources in our rich environment, we aim to ignite the passions of our children and provide abundant opportunities.

Exploring the natural world will instill a profound appreciation for nature in our children, empowering them to contribute to a sustainable future. We celebrate healthy, adventurous risky-play, understanding that it's a crucial part of children's development.

We believe in using digital technologies in educational settings to aid learning rather than dominating learning, promoting positive screen time experiences. 

We recognise families as the child's primary influencers, holding unique backgrounds, beliefs & values. We value engaging in shared decision-making, listening & learning with families to ensure each child's learning, development & well-being. 

We strive to be a place where families can build positive relationships & partnerships by connecting with others within the community. The child, the family and our service do not exist in isolation; we are part of a much wider community - By maintaining an active presence in our local community, we seek to strengthen community networks and use community resources to support & serve families. 

We are advocates for this profession & believe that we do best when we do with others. Building a spirit of collegiality, unity, integrity & professionalism through collaborative relationships based on trust, respect & honesty are at the forefront in our communications. We aim to participate in a culture of professional inquiry to continuously develop & improve our practices. It is essential that our team is open, friendly & believes in the power of collaboration & peer-based learning.