Our Preschool Philosophy

At Clunes Community Preschool, our educational program and interactions with children, families and each other is influenced by our preschool’s philosophy, as follows.  

We believe that early childhood is a unique period of rapid development and learning and see children as capable, active participants in their own learning. 

 We value equity and inclusion and diversity, and we see every child as unique and capable of success. Every child has the right to quality early education and a nurturing, safe environment, and to be valued in their home and community. We welcome families from diverse backgrounds, cultures and beliefs. 

We believe that the physical and social environment in which a child lives and learns has a critical impact on the child’s learning and that contact with the natural world is essential to every child’s wellbeing. 

We believe that positive relationships between adults and children contribute to each child’s emotional and social wellbeing and are important foundations for health and learning throughout a child’s life and are key to providing quality early education and care. We see children’s rights and interests as being at the heart of decision making in our preschool. 

We value partnerships with families and see each child in the context of their family and the community. Families, as children’s first and most influential teachers, play a critical role in children’s learning and wellbeing and we acknowledge that there are many different ways of living, being and knowing. 

We value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and believe that all Australian children should have an awareness of Aboriginal ways of being and doing. 

We believe that capable and engaged teachers and early childhood educators and strong and competent leadership are key to a quality early childhood education. Educators need a range of skills and practices to ensure the provision of a sound educational program and must be able to reflect on these practices to enhance program quality. 

We are committed to continuous improvement and best practice and the use of current research and theory to achieve this.