Mary Campbell Preschool

Cultural

Mary Campbell Pre School believe in acknowledging the traditional custodians of this land, the Bidjigal and Gadigal clans of the Eora Nation, along with their language, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within our community. We believe that as part of this community we have a responsibility to our children and their families to establish a sense of belonging and connection to the land and sea shared. We value and honour diversity, respect and inclusion. We celebrate similarities and differences amongst all our family and community members. Our programs reflects the full appreciation and perspective of Australia’s diverse cultures in our communities. Children connecting with and making sense of their own identity enhances their sense of Belonging and acceptance and supports their quest in making sense of their world.

Community/Family

Mary Campbell Pre School is a family run preschool that was created by Mary and Michael Campbell in 1974 with strong family and community links in mind. The preschool has now been handed down to their two daughters (Marita and Brigid) to continue their ethos of creating a “family like” environment. Mary Campbell is still an important member of our preschool and the local Maroubra community.

We at Mary Campbell Preschool recognise the importance of creating a link between home and the Centre, where both parents and educators work in partnership to develop the child as a whole in a mutually supportive and caring environment.

We take great pride in embedding the bonds from past and present generations that will have a positive effect on a child ‘belonging, being, becoming’ (EYLF2016). We have a continuing cycle of past children now becoming parents of children who currently attend Mary Campbell preschool and past children becoming educators of the new generation of children.

Children

We at Mary Campbell Pre School embed inclusion into our daily practices. These practices value and respect all children and their abilities. Children need time and space to explore and investigate to become active participants and decision makers in their daily experiences.

Together with thoughtful teaching practices and a supportive and challenging environment, children’s agency is developed in an environment where they can feel connected with a sense of their own belonging and identity.

Educators

Embedded into our daily practices all staff encourage each other’s talents and strengths in an supportive environment working together. The Educators take time to talk and plan as they work with the same team every day. Their vocation is based on trust and respect and how they connect with the children their families and the community. The dedication and professionalism of staff members is enduring with the longevity and commitment with staff members staying at Mary Campbell Pre School for many years (Code of Ethics 2016 Early Childhood Australia).

Environment

At Mary Campbell Pre School we have created an inclusive and aesthetically pleasing environment that promotes a strong sense of wellbeing and provides a safe and welcoming space for children, their families and community members that flows through both the indoor and outdoor areas.

We foster an appreciation and connection with the preschool’s natural surroundings environment. Through reflective practices or environment is continually evolving and changing to reflect children’s lived experiences, who they are and where they are going. The environment promotes children’s confidence in building trust in themselves to explore, learn and challenge themselves.

Curriculum and Program

Our curriculum for each and every child at Mary Campbell Pre School is based upon their strengths, abilities, interests, relationships and lived experiences. Our curriculum and planning reflects our philosophy of a family environment that values and respects our philosophy of a family environment that values and respects inclusion and diversity of each child and their families and extended community members.

Planning Cycle

All educators here at Mary Campbell Pre observe and collect information from children and their families and community members. Next we discuss and analyse what children know, can do and understand (Early Years Learning Framework) and then workout how best we can plan meaningful experiences for the children. We implement these plans into our daily programs and reflect upon our experiences through what we have observed and the feedback from children and their families.

Developed in consultation with staff, families and children, with direct reference to the Early Years Learning Framework and Code of Ethics Early Childhood Australia.