•At South Mornington Preschool, we place children at the heart of everything we do. Our curriculum is child-led, and we take a holistic, integrated approach to each child’s unique learning journey. We believe every child arrives with their own knowledge, experiences and strengths, which we nurture through warm, respectful and responsive relationships.
•We recognise the importance of strong partnerships with families, cultures and the wider community. These connections shape each child’s growth, and we value collaboration as a way to guide our practices and enrich learning.
•Our commitment to reconciliation is embedded in our everyday teaching. Through the development of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and our support of the Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan, we are deepening our understanding of First Nations cultures. We honour the knowledge of the land, waterways, animals and people, drawing on the wisdom of First Nations Elders and the stories of Bundjil the creator and Waang the protector. These teachings inspire our children to care for Country with respect and love.
•We believe kindness and respect are the foundations of all relationships. We celebrate each child’s uniqueness and create an inclusive, welcoming space where everyone belongs. We support children to be curious, creative and confident learners, allowing them the time and space to explore and grow in their own way, at their own pace.
•Children’s voices guide our program. We follow their natural curiosity and interests through play-based learning that encourages exploration, discovery and connection.
•As a Child Safe Organisation, the wellbeing and safety of children is our highest priority. We are committed to creating a culture of trust, where children feel safe, strong, heard and empowered to make choices and have autonomy over their bodies.
•At South Mornington Preschool, we are a connected community. Each member—child, family, educator and teacher—plays an important role in enriching the lives and learning of our children.
We acknowledge the Boonwurrung and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which we meet, work and play. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all First Nations people. We collectively strive within our practices to create a space that promotes reconciliation toward undoing the harmful impacts of colonisation, to create a harmonious future.