ST MARYS CHILD CARE CENTRE
PHILOSOPHY
The foundation of our Centre lies in our underlying philosophy, reflective of our ambition and desire to provide the best service to all of our stakeholders. St Mary’s Child Care Centre aims to provide an environment, which is caring, supportive and stimulating for each child. As educators, we understand the long-lasting impact of good education, which acts as a solid foundation for the future development of children. This environment also recognises the diversity and uniqueness prevalent in each family and we strive to translate this variety via the means of our development programs. We strive to create an environment where relationships are forged through elements of ongoing trust, communication, respect and understanding. We believe that our philosophy translates into positive experiences, which in turn create a solid foundation for later life. 
COMMUNITY
St Mary’s Child Care Centre acknowledges the vital role that families, other children, staff and the broader community play in a child's development and our aim is to create an atmosphere, whereby our Centre is an extension of this array of influencers. Our philosophy entails an atmosphere of openness. We encourage families, children, staff and the community to share, contribute and be an integral part of the children's experiences at the Centre. We see ourselves as partners working with the wider community to encourage children to develop a sense of connectivity with many different types of people. By doing so, children can develop their own individual sense of self, not only within the Centre, but also in later stages of life. By securing long-lasting relationships with these many stakeholders, children are also encouraged to do the same in a developed and nourishing environment. Furthermore, our underlying philosophy is to better ourselves daily by incorporating feedback from everyone involved in our Centre, both directly and indirectly. We believe that this will enable us to develop our processes, understanding and ability to recognise areas that can be improved.
PROGRAM
Saint Mary’s Child Care Centre believes that there are many avenues, which can be utilised to develop a child’s understanding, personality and perspective. We also believe that these methods of learning will only be viable and successful when an environment that boasts respect, communication and partnerships is encouraged. We recognise that play is a significant way by which children learn. Children are naturally curious and this curiosity represents an opportunity for educators to provide opportunities for them to experiment, explore, enjoy, discover, problem solve and find out about themselves. By doing so, a child’s mind will begin to absorb possibilities, understanding of other people and a deeper knowledge and concern for the world in which they live. Such opportunities will be provided through daily programmed experiences and learning activities centred on the different interests of the children. These focussed programs will shape and enrich the mind, personal and mentality of each child and help them develop a sense of self.  
Our centre has embraced the Early Years Learning Framework program, which hones in on relationships, communities and and overall national framework. By using this program as a basis, we are able to equip children with the opportunity to make decisions in a number of different environments. All of our educators contribute further to the program by reflecting on the children's daily experiences and finding creative avenues to incorporate these reflections into activities. We also encourage children to contribute to the program by giving them time to reflect on their daily experiences and engage in discussion about future plans and weekly program objectives. Furthermore, we also encourage families to share their ideas, experience and personal understanding of children through the means of verbal and daily communication sheets. The programs we incorporate in the Centre are characterised by the differing abilities, interests and capabilities of each individual child, as well as by group learning. The program incorporates anti-bias beliefs where all children have equal opportunities and we strive to create a common understanding of the importance of this ideology.  
SUSTAINABILITY
​Incorporating sustainability is essential for fostering a healthy, responsible, and forward-thinking environment for children . By embedding eco-friendly practices and social responsibility into the center's core values, we ensure that children are nurtured in a setting that prioritizes the well-being of both the planet and the community. Our commitment to sustainability begins with energy-efficient operations, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing of materials. We educate and engage children, staff, and families in sustainable practices, promoting a culture of environmental stewardship and social consciousness. Through regular assessments and transparent communication, we strive for continuous improvement and accountability in our sustainability efforts. By doing so, we aim to inspire the next generation to value and protect our natural world, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
HEALTH, SAFETY & OBSERVATION
Our philosophy is governed by a large focus on health and safety, of both children, educators, staff and the broader community. As educators, we acknowledge the inherent responsibility and accountability we have for all children, be it their physical or cognitive safety and health. We believe that this focus will encourage a strong sense of wellbeing, independence and confidence in a safe environment.  The Centre also keeps records of each child’s developmental progress using the new Early Years framework as a guide. This helps educators evaluate their contribution and progress, while also enabling families to understand the natures and abilities of the children within the contained childcare environment, surrounded by other children. The staff are involved in taking note of any observations on children which are used for their individual planning in the program. Each child is involved in the observation cycle, photos and work samples and documents containing any other necessary information. These documentations are communicated and accessible to families.
CULTURE AND IDENTITY
St Mary’s Child Care Centre believes that all children should be exposed to different cultures and people from different backgrounds and encouraged to understand the different facets of all of these, for example, religion, work, culture, language and so on. Our Centre engages in numerous activities to make sure that this exposure takes place on many different levels.  
Children are also citizens of the world and therefore, along with the guidance and support of Educators, will become active contributors to environmental sustainability.  As children are exposed to environmental practices and interaction, they develop sustainable awareness, becoming accountable and responsible for the environment. We model and promote sustainable practices in everyday engagement through play, interaction, conversation, posters and intentional teaching in hopes that children develop sustainable habits which will ensure a sustainable future. 
CONCLUSION
The combination of a safe and stimulating environment along with friendly relationships and sound programming practices provides a basis for the development of language, social, emotional, gross motor, fine motor, self-help and creative thinking.  
Within the various roles at St Mary’s Child care Centre, staff view themselves as professional child educators and understand the significance of this role. The ethos of this understanding will be reflected not only in their conduct with peers, children and parents, but visible also in their work practices. Educators will work together as members of a team, in collaboration with children and families, combining both knowledge and training with past experiences to provide high quality early childhood education. 
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Reviewed: March 2024