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At Dashing Ducks Pre-School, we believe that play is the best vehicle for children’s learning as it engages the child holistically. Our curriculum acknowledges that children learn individually, in groups, and with guidance from educators, families and communities. Our program is supported by the National Quality Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework
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To keep our families connected to our program, we use an online platform called Early Works. They can view the program and see their child work toward the learning outcomes through observations and journals. Families are encouraged to add any comments or share information from home and highlight any interests their child may have to include these in our emerging daily program. Families can view daily communications here about their child’s sleep, food/bottle intake and nappy changes.
Get tips on starting child care or preschool and what can be done at home to encourage your child’s learning and development.
The National Quality Framework results from the Council of Australian Government’s Reform agenda for Early Childhood Education and Care. The reform agenda supports universal access to Early Childhood Education and ensures delivery of nationally consistent and quality Early Childhood Education across sectors and jurisdictions. www.acecqa.gov.au
To keep our families connected to our program we use an online platform called Early Works. They can view the program and see their child work toward the learning outcomes through observations and journals. Families are encouraged to add any comments or share information from home, highlight any interests their child may have so we can include these in our emerging daily program. Families are able to view daily communications here about their child’s sleep, food/bottle intake and nappy changes.
To compliment our indoor spaces we have a large outdoor play space rich in resources, natural play spaces and opportunities for sustainable practices. Our outdoor play environment feature opportunities for children to engage in the natural world, particularly growing vegetables in our gardens. We also have sand pits, water play, gross motor play and large construction and art areas.
Each day, educators plan various experiences for children based on their interests, skills, knowledge, and development. Experiences are intended for individuals, small and large groups of children. Educators are present in the background to scaffold children’s learning and respond ‘in the moment’. We also see spontaneous events, such as the discovery of a beetle, as beautiful opportunities for children’s education.
Our programming is guided by The Early Years Learning Framework.
This curriculum framework assists educators in providing quality experiences, interactions and programs for young children. Play is seen as the most effective learning method as it engages the whole child. Our program is also informed by children’s experiences with their families and connections with the local community.
During the day, children may engage in many experiences, which may include: arts and crafts, construction, puzzles and manipulatives, stories, discussion, music and movement, sand and water play, play dough and messy play, dramatic play, gardening, cooking and gross-motor play.
Munch & Move is a fun, play-based program that aims to support young children’s healthy eating and physical activity habits. The program is based on six health-promoting vital messages:
The Munch & Move program aligns strongly with the National Quality Framework (NQF) with links to all 7 Quality Areas of the National Quality Standard (NQS). The 5 Outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the GetUp & Grow healthy eating guidelines and physical activity recommendations.Through fun games, we teach the children fundamental movement skills. Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) are a specific set of gross motor skills that involve different body parts. These skills are the building blocks for more complex skills that children will learn throughout their lives to competently participate in games, sports and recreational activities. Children do not naturally learn to correctly perform FMS as part of their expected growth and development.
As educators, we continually provide children with intentional opportunities to explore and practice these skills to encourage development and confidence in the FMS. The earlier that FMS are introduced through play and exploration, the more likely children will engage in physical activity throughout their lives, developing competence and confidence. We teach the children about healthy eating through stories, songs, cooking experiences, growing our own fruits and vegetables, role modelling and providing a healthy menu. For further information click here.
Learning through play
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