Warrawee Park Preschool

Our philosophy which guides our teaching has been shaped through collaboration between the educators of Warrawee Park Preschool and is informed by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF), the Code of Ethics for early childhood and our professional knowledge attained through our qualifications and experience working with young children and their families.

How do we believe young children learn?

We believe that young children learn best through play-based learning. This means that the children at Warrawee Park Preschool have long periods of time to play. Play is important for developing social relationships and learning how to negotiate with peers and develop a sense of fairness. It is important for children’s communication skills because as they play with and alongside one another, they are talking, conversing, describing, asking and wondering aloud together. It is important for children’s cognitive development as they experiment with new ideas, ask questions and find out the answers and learn new skills. It is important for children’s physical development as they become coordinated with both their fine (small) and gross (large) motor muscles. Our main aim within kindergarten is to support children to become confident learners who are kind to other people and feel like they can belong and enjoy this place of kinder.

How do we understand our role in supporting this?

We understand the educators’ role in supporting children’s play-based learning as knowing when to step in- when to ask a vital question that will scaffold the child’s learning and thinking, knowing when children need help to resolve a social conflict between peers, knowing when children would like an adult to join in with their play- and also knowing when to not step in- allowing children to confidently resolve their own social conflicts, knowing when to let the play unfold and develop. As educators, the relationships we develop with the children are integral- we want the children to feel comfortable approaching us for support, help and comfort and we also want the children to enjoy the relationships they have with their educators and one another.

Warrawee Park Preschool offers a large playroom for the children with a large range of building, artistic and creative, literacy and numeracy activities. Our exceptionally large yard offers a sandpit, swings, climbing fort and bridge, monkey bars, a flying fox, a bike track with runs the circumference of the yard, a mud kitchen, gazebo, hopscotch and stage all surrounded by many trees and plants. There is also an undercover area which is frequently used for building and art activities outdoors.

• Access to our Storypark App to share children’s learning journey
• Incursions
• Annual kindergarten photos
• Bi-lingual staff to support families

he Victorian Government provides funding to support children to access a high quality kindergarten program in the two years before they start school. This helps to ensure all Victorian children get the best start in life.

From 2023, the Victorian Government is making kindergarten programs free for three and four-year-old children – saving you and your family up to $2,500 per year for their program. Free Kinder is a critical component of the Victorian Government’s Best Start, Best Life reform.