At SOS, we believe that parents are the primary and most influential educators of young children. We provide a welcoming environment where all families are respected and actively encouraged to work together with educators to ensure learning experiences are meaningful. We encourage families to take an active role in contributing to and participating in the programming for this centre. This ensures genuine partnerships are established to create a sense of belonging for children and their families.
Children learn most effectively when engaged with their environment. Our Early Childhood Teachers and educators foster respect for each other and our preschool environment as the foundation for all learning at SOS. A play -based curriculum founded on individual and group observations is implemented in order to facilitate children’s active role in learning. Individual developmental needs and strengths are considered to support exploration, discovery and experimentation with materials as well as interactions with others. Children’s social and emotional development underpins learning. Children can then make connections with their world and make sense of everyday experiences and feelings. We provide an environment which fosters children’s sense of security, trust and acceptance of themselves and others. Friendships and positive peer interactions are promoted to ensure a strong sense of social and emotional wellbeing.
Educators working within the preschool respect children as individuals and foster their unique abilities and strengths, backgrounds and ethnic identities. SOS is an inclusive preschool where all children are supported to participate in a mainstream early childhood setting. SOS staff are experienced, knowledgeable, creative and dynamic. They are enthusiastic about the education of children and different ways of learning. All staff engage positively with children, encouraging autonomy, initiative, responsibility, cooperation, creativity and self-control. We believe that positive self-esteem is the foundation for learning and being. A child who is confident with his/her own abilities will be confident to explore their environment. We provide a safe, loving, stimulating and challenging environment which promotes the development of each individual child using holistic approaches to teaching.
The Early Years Learning Framework informs our practices for ensuring all children develop a strong sense of identity and are able to feel connected to the wider community. At SOS, children experience quality teaching and learning experiences on their journey to becoming active and competent participants in society.
SOS is committed to connecting with the local community and learning about the traditional owners of the land on which we play and learn. Our Preschool continues to grow in knowledge and embed this learning into our everyday experiences.