Philosophy

Woden Early Childhood Centre Philosophy

We would like to recognize the traditional custodians of this land the Ngunnawal people on whose land we build our community on today, we will strive to care for our land as they have for over 60 thousand years.

“So, I take this word reconciliation and I use it to reconcile people back to Mother Earth, so they can walk this land together and heal one another because she’s the one that gives birth to everything we see around us, everything we need to survive”. – Max Dulumunmun Harrison Yuin Elder

“Racism is a disease in society. We’re all equal. I don’t care what their colour is, or religion, just as long as they’re human beings they’re my buddies”. Mandawuy Yunupingu  Front man for Yothu Yindi

“Choosing a school for a child is one of the most important decisions parents make. The school - its teachers, curriculum, educational philosophy, and values both explicit and implicit - will affect the child's day-to-day life. It will help shape the child's personality, view of life, behaviour, and destiny as an adult. And it will also deeply affect the lives of the parents and the life of the family as a whole” – Ronald Koetzsch Steiner College

The educators at Woden Early Childhood Centre want to provide a place for children, where they can take risks, have adventures and use their imagination, to know joy and feel gratitude. A place that holds them in good stead as future citizens of the world. A place where creativity and uniqueness is celebrated where there is a freedom of spirit for all involved in the centre. We will build a love of nature through engaging in the local surrounds and creating our natural bush-like gardens. E.Y.L.F Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings”. –William Arthur Ward

“If we really want children to thrive we need to let their connection to nature nurture them.” Claire Warden

“Creativity seems to emerge from multiple experiences, coupled with a well-supported development of personal resources, including a sense of freedom to venture beyond the known”. ― Loris Malaguzzi

We believe that when trusting, respectful and loving relationships are nurtured and treasured (there is no one in this world like you and that is a celebration), we can actively support, challenge and facilitate children’s learning with meaningful provocations ensuring continuity of learning E.Y.L.F Principles: Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships; high expectations and equity. Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

“The wider the range of possibilities we offer children, the more intense will be their motivations and the richer their experiences. We must widen the range of topics and goals, the types of situations we offer and their degree of structure, the kinds and combinations of resources and materials, and the possible interactions with things, peers, and adults”. ― Loris Malaguzzi founder of Reggio Emilia educational philosophy

At Woden Early Childhood Centre, integrity isn’t just a word but something that is strived for and lived by, always. Where accountability is an expectation and mindfulness is shown at all times. We believe that through this we are teaching our children how to show respect and gratitude, to others, the environment, the community and to the traditional owners of our land both past, present and future. We want our children to feel respected through all aspects of their day. We want them to know their thoughts and opinions are valued and respected, that they are valued as effective communicators. E.Y.L.F Outcome 2: Children are connected to and contribute to their world; Outcome 5: children are effective communicators
“We learned about gratitude and humility - that so many people had a hand in our success, from the teachers who inspired us to the janitors who kept our school clean... and we were taught to value everyone's contribution and treat everyone with respect”. Michelle Obama, first African-American first lady

We believe we are providing an environment for our children to grow and develop a strong sense of belonging. We want them to know we value the partnership with them, their families, our community and educators. We know this partnership is the key to the quality care at Woden Early Childhood Centre. E.Y.L.F Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity; Outcome 2: Children are connected to and contribute to their world

At Woden Early Childhood Centre, we believe all children have a right to experience justice; to be aware of what it is and why it is so important in our community and society in general. We will help them to develop empathy for others and have truly authentic relationships that are based on trust and gratitude. We believe all children have a right to experience joy, to know happiness, to develop a true appreciation for what is happening in their lives and know that, they are able to contribute to their world and know that they make a difference. We want them to know gratitude; to show it and feel it; to flourish. We want our children to develop true resilience, one that gives them a sense of spirit, so that they can be all they can be. And for them to know that a person should be measured in the deeds they do not just the words they say. E.Y.L.F Outcome 2: Children are connected to and contribute to their world; Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

Woden Early Childhood Centre is a place where educators’ voices reflect the centre’s philosophy and the educator’s personal professional philosophies where curriculum is guided by the children’s voices through educators valuing the importance of Belonging, Being and Becoming as it guides our daily practices We value the natural resources in our space and local surrounds, for it is a natural childhood we want to provide for the children in our care. We want them to care for the environment and be mindful about sustainability and practice it daily.

“The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be another child like him”. - Pablo Casals

“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you”. – Eileen Caddy

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow”. Melody Beattie

“Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success and love; it will come back to you in abundance. This is the law of nature.” Steve Maraboli