Play-based Learning Program
Our play-based learning program is under the guidance of the Early Years Learning Framework, which is Australia’s national framework for early childhood educators. Play-based learning is ‘a context for learning through which children organise and make sense of their social worlds, as they actively engage with people, objects and representations’ (EYLF, 2009, p. 46). We aim for enrich children’s learning and maximise their learning potentials within an inclusive physical and social space. We focus on five major learning outcomes based on the EYLF:
- Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity
- Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
- Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners
- Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators
We use play activities to encourage young children to explore, identify, negotiate, take risks, and create meaning of the world around them. We thoughtfully plan physical play experiences for children to test and develop a wide range of motor skills, resulting in significant health and well-being benefits. We implement quality play experiences to support children with memory skills, language development, and the ability to regulate their own emotions and behaviours, all of which result in greater school adjustment and academic learning.
Our qualified and highly experienced educators are responsive to children’s interests, needs and rights, and draw on our understanding of child development and theories and the Early Years Learning Framework as the basis for education. We Identify children’s strengths and interests by observing and interacting with them. We develop individual and group projects that encourage young children to enquire, discover, explore ideas, collaborate, and solve problems. We document and evaluate children’s learning and reflect on practises to extend children’s future learning. We work in partnership with families and encourage families to participate in children’s learning by sharing ideas and aspects of home cultures to enrich our program.
