We welcome you to Watsonia Preschool,
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here we live, learn and play on Wurundjeri land
Watsonia Preschool is a Child Safe Centre
Watsonia Preschool places the highest priority on the safety of children. We adhere to the 11 Child Safe Standards, issued by the Commission for Children and Young People Our policies ensure that we always have the correct practices in place and our staff are trained to deal with a range of scenarios. Both our policies and teacher training are always all kept up to date, putting the children's well-being above all else.
Watsonia Preschool considers that the physical, psychological and cultural safety of children is pivotal for their learning and development. Watsonia North Preschool is fully committed to providing an environment that embeds the child safe standards.
Our Philosophy
Our Children
Every child is unique and deserves the opportunity to grow and learn in a way that suits their individual needs. We understand that children learn best through play, and we strive to provide a rich and stimulating environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and imagination.
Our Families
We value the partnership between families and educators and that parents and caregivers are the child's first and most important teachers. We strive to work collaboratively with families to support children's growth and development. We encourage open communication and regular opportunities for families to be involved in their child's learning journey.
Our Community
We are proud to acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, as the traditional owners and custodians of the land that we live, learn and play on at Watsonia Pre-School. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future and commit to working in partnership together as we strive to embed Indigenous perspectives within our curriculum. We are able to link this in a more holistic way during our Bush Kinder sessions.
We pride ourselves on being able to connect and use the local community around us to enhance our program. Our location gives us many opportunities to connect with our community.
Our Educators
Educators develop learning programs that are responsive to the children’s interests, celebrate their differences and build on their capabilities, strengths, interests and knowledge. Educators are committed to Child Safety and protecting the rights of children and families. Our educators support children's emotional development and provide a safe and secure environment where they feel free to express themselves and develop healthy relationships with others.
Our Program
We focus on creating an emergent and responsive program that nurtures young children to explore, learn, and develop. We aim to foster a curiosity and enthusiasm for learning that will stay with children throughout their lives. By providing a safe and supportive environment, children can develop the skills and knowledge they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We also recognize the importance of social-emotional development in young children. Creating positive relationships and a sense of belonging is critical to building self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.
At our kindergarten we have a range of animals on site which we introduce to all children in a variety of different ways. The animals play an integral role in the program we deliver and our aim is to expose and teach the children to take on the responsibility, care and maintenance of the animals as well as teach them empathy towards all living creatures.
Our Learning Environment
We are located in a quiet location surrounded by trees, beautiful gardens and open spaces to play. We understand in the importance of both indoor and outdoor play. Watsonia Preschool provides opportunities for children to experience a Preschool session within Gresswell Reserve. Our bush kinder experience allows children to play in a natural environment, using what nature has provided as learning materials. Children are supported as they take risks, and face the challenges essential to well-rounded learning.
We value and promote sustainability and recycling by providing opportunities for the children to learn about, care for and nurture both the built and natural environment at kindergarten and in their community.
How we help our children thrive.
We recognise and celebrate children’s individual development and interests, and plan experiences to support and extend their learning. We provide opportunities for children to actively participate in creating their own learning through hands-on exploration of open-ended materials.
We allow children long periods of uninterrupted time at play, to explore and gain satisfaction from their experiences and empower them to exercise independence.
We encourage and support interest and connection with the natural world and the outdoor environment while guiding children to respect each other, equipment and the environment.
We provide a range of materials to give children the opportunity to express themselves creatively.
We listen to the children and share in the delight of their discoveries and we recognise and respect their individual needs, allowing them to develop at their own pace.