Our Place OSHC & Pre-Kindy

The environment is set up in such a way that it is challenging, fun and most importantly age appropriate, allowing children to explore freely. We feel the environment forms the place as the third teacher, as Our Place is designed to care for children aged two and up, older Children will be encouraged to lead in their play and follow through with their interests and curiosities, without the barriers that can sometimes occur in an environment that also cares for very young children. Throughout this process they will gain pride in their own ideas and abilities, whilst also developing a respect for other ideas, abilities, and knowledge.  Children thrive in environments that are suited to their interests and developmental stages.  We draw on the Reggio Emilia approach, ensuing the environment is viewed as a place that is welcoming, authentic aesthetically pleasing, culturally representative of community, embraces nature and filled with purposeful materials.  The layout of the environment into different Zones, which each cater for a different style of play, promotes relationships, communication, collaboration, and exploration through play.  Materials are thoughtfully added to the environment to promote creativity, thinking and problem-solving skills, questions, experimentation, and open-ended play.  

The Montessori method of education, named after its founder Maria Montessori, is an approach to classroom learning that emphasizes independence and choice. This theory of teaching understands that children have an innate interest and eagerness to learn and will be able to do so in a thoughtfully prepared, supportive learning environment. It is an approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, cognitive. We draw on this theory when engaging the children in our intentional teaching practices, ensuring that prepared activities, referred to as ‘jobs’, are child-centred allowing free flowing participation in activities designed to foster growth, without coercing children to do set piece work tasks.