Our program is based upon the principle that the whole child must be developed if she/he is to become a well-adjusted member of our society. As such, we provide the environment and experiences, which enable the child to grow physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially.
Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
The Early Years Learning Framework forms the foundation for ensuring that children in all early childhood education and care settings experience quality teaching and learning. It has a specific emphasis on play-based learning and recognises the importance of communication and language and social and emotional development. The Framework has been designed for use by early childhood educators working in partnership with families to help form a connection between a child’s home and the early childhood setting.
Bindook Cottage is guided by the EYLF to document each child’s development and to help plan, enrich and extend children’s learning within our program. The EYLF has learning outcomes that can be used to assess how a child is developing and offers a holistic approach to gauge children’s successes.
Early Years Learning Framework Learning outcomes for children:
Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity
Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world
Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners
Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators
The EYLF also allows educators to reflect on their teaching methods by analysing principles and practices that guide their pedagogy.
Practice 1: Holistic approaches
Practice 2: Responsiveness to children
Practice 3: Learning through play
Practice 4: Intentional teaching
Practice 5: Learning environments
Practice 6: Cultural competence
Practice 7: Continuity of learning and transitions
Practice 8: Assessment for learning
Principle 1: Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships
Principle 2: Partnerships
Principle 3: High expectations and equity
Principle 4: Respect for diversity
Principle 5: Ongoing learning and reflective practice
School readiness
Bindook Cottage provides a school readiness program that assists children and families to transition into Primary School. The school readiness program focuses on typical school activities to allow children to become familiar with them, and gain independence to complete these tasks. Children are encouraged to participate in these typical school activities like eating out of lunch boxes, opening food items independently, dressing independently, raising hands, packing/unpacking bags and recognising personal property (as suggested by local schools).
Through the school readiness program children learn simple concepts to aid them in their future schooling, such as name writing and recognition, counting and numeral recognition as well as alphabet letter sounds and recognition. Children are given the opportunity to further develop skills required to work independently and as a team member through games, group experiences and a variety of activities.