Our program, philosophy and staff
Our program
There are many reasons why we believe children flourish at our Centre. From the personalised attention provided to each child, to the warm and stimulating environment, building strong foundations for future learning. Our program format allows the children greater input into their learning environment, which is interests-driven and encourages meaningful learning. The program:
- builds foundations for a lifetime of learning; and
- is child-initiated and shaped by the children’s interests.
Confidence within individual children is more naturally developed as they become the initiators, controllers and negotiators. This confidence leads to greater decision-making, development of skills, peer relationships and concentration, and sets the foundation for future learning. Staff, children and their families become involved in establishing individual learning journals. These journals become a collective documentation of written learning stories, photos and children’s work during the time at the centre.
The program offered is derived from children’s interest and is very much child-initiated.
Our philosophy
We believe in the importance of all children being respected as individuals and independent thinkers. It’s important for all children to be actively involved in their program in order to encourage meaningful learning and development. Being community-based, we also value involvement from families and the greater local community.
At North Ringwood Community Children’s Centre we will aspire to:
- provide a quality service which aims to ensure that the children’s individual needs are met and where all children are encouraged to develop to their optimum potential;
- provide opportunities and resources to actively involve the children in their program;
- provide a quality service which acknowledges the uniqueness of each child and respects and values their individual needs and abilities, their home, religious and cultural beliefs, all within a non-discriminatory environment;
- provide support and care for parents in their parenting role through open communication and mutual respect;
- foster and promote parent involvement through encouraging participation in the centre’s management, activities, and programs;
- provide a work environment where staff have the opportunity to fulfill their professional role, where their rights and needs are recognised and development opportunities are encouraged;
- encourage healthy social interactions between staff, children and families; and
- foster and promote community involvement through encouraging wider participation in the centre’s activities and children’s programs and through developing greater community awareness of child care issues.
Our staff
The centre employs 10 full-time and four part-time staff. A small group of regular relievers are also employed to cover for staff leave and absences. The co-ordinator manages a team of professional childcare staff and the day-to-day operations of the centre. In each of the children’s rooms, we have a Level 4 child-care worker or kinder teacher, and a Level 3 child-care worker. Extra staff are employed to assist with the inclusion of children with additional needs.
Staff selection
The staff selected as part of our team are those able to provide quality care and a varied, supportive and stimulating learning environment. Staff work diligently to provide a safe and happy family atmosphere for the children in their care. They are also very friendly, approachable and display a high standard of work ethics and a professional attitude.
Ongoing professional development
Our team of staff is what makes our centre the high-quality service it is, which is why the committee of management supports all staff regularly attending professional development sessions to keep their current child-care practices up-to-date.
Each year, the centre closes for one day, providing all staff with the opportunity to develop their professional skills and knowledge, and to enhance teamwork. In addition, each new year starts with one curriculum day where staff set-up the centre, ensuring a welcoming start to the children’s year.