We aim to strike a balance between collaboration and free expression while still being a Qld approved kindergarten program. As parents ourselves, we understand the trust you are placing with us when enrolling your child. Our commitment to you is that we will provide a safe and nurturing environment, while delivering the highest quality program and meaningful experiences. The value of play in each child’s development is paramount, so each day is fun as we learn in an approved kindergarten program.
Highfields’s Innovative Curriculum
It is our belief that all children bring their perspectives, expectations, knowledge, and skills to their early learning experience. Highfields’s curriculum is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), with a holistic approach, to incorporate all areas of learning and development.
Our programs are child focused and initiated, inspired by children’s curiosity, imagination, and designed to nurture the development and growth of each child. Our programming is based on observing children on a regular basis, evaluating their needs and interests and planning future experiences based on these observations. At Highfields, families are encouraged to discuss and contribute to children’s learning as partners in the early education process. Families can contribute through sharing information about their child and events happening in their world, evaluating programs and experiences, viewing and contributing to children’s individual portfolios and by participating within the centre.
Each of our educators are fully trained and experienced and share our deep passion for early childhood education. They plan and provide a detailed developmental pathway for all children in our care, based on the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines. Our curriculum, educational programs, goals and philosophy are evaluated on a regular basis. All educators are trained and personally consulted in relation to any new developments we implement.
Our Educators critically reflect on the program, the children’s learning, the environment and their own practice. This enables us to deliver a high quality curriculum. Our programs are displayed in the room for parents and families view. Children thrive when families and educators work collaboratively to support young children’s learning. Opportunities will be made available to parents and families throughout the year to learn more about our educational programs, and also our additional programs designed to support children’s creative interests.
Kindergarten Program
While the EYLF focuses on children from birth to five years, the Queensland Government introduced the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines to support teachers’ professional practice. This framework assists in a range of contexts across Queensland, specifically to enrich children in their Kindergarten year.
The Queensland Kindergarten Learning guidelines describe a set of five learning and development areas that relate to the five broad learning outcomes identified in the EYLF, which are:
- Children have a strong sense of identity
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
- Children are confident and involved learners
- Children are effective communicators.
Highfields Childcare Centre hires fully qualified Bachelor Early Childhood teachers to implement these guidelines to ensure that the kindergarten children that leave Highfields will have the best possible start to embark on their school journey.
STEAM
A large part of our learning programs are based around STEAM , which is a curriculum based on education in four specific areas – science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.
This coupled with development through children’s interests and needs, and reflective practices delivers a program that is inspiring for each child and their family.The most important thing to remember about STEAM is that when children are learning STEAM it is through connecting with their natural curiosities. At Highfields, children will have STEAM incorporated throughout each day, and by recognising it at this young age, it helps them to establish and strengthen connections and give them a head start as they head into their school years.
STEAM is implemented based on age appropriate learning. Some examples of where STEAM is used are: through building blocks, cooking, art, music, and many more of these day to day learning experiences that we do not even realise are utilising these skills.
At Highfields Childcare Centre, we pride ourselves on delivering an approved kindergarten program Qld, while still allowing children creative license to develop their own strengths and interests. If a collaborative, friendly environment with a curriculum centred around sounds appealing to you, then you should have a closer look at Highfields Childcare Centre.
