INSPIRATION
Along with Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework, our early learning concept is inspired by Finnish early childhood learning which is world-renowned for its focus on play, physical activity and creativity in a child’s first five years, rather than academia. We have adopted Nordic values of equality and openness to enhance a child’s perspective, active participation, curiosity and creativity by embodying the importance of play and exploring.
Our primary mission is to create a place and space to fulfil the needs of every child. We promote children’s creativity and proactivity through daily routines and special events. We believe that when all the important elements in a child’s daily life are aligned, they feel safe to explore their environment, build trustful relationships and learn new things. At Leaps & Bounds Parklands, we promote the joy of learning, support the freedom of failing and encourage growth through experiencing both.
Natural Steps to Wellbeing
Play in Nature
Nature play enriches childhood with movement, imagination and friendship, with all the sensory wonder that nature brings. Our garden has no artificial surfaces; we embrace the spirit of a true garden with trees and lawn, and we share special areas which replicate the Australian dry river beds and our great sandy deserts. It has been designed to support children’s cognitive, social and emotional development, their mental and physical wellbeing, and the building of resilience and creativity whilst connecting to nature.
Physical Activity
Leaps & Bounds has its own in-house Exercise Physiologist who works with the children to set programs to improve gross and fine motor skills, mobility, strength and fitness, and balance. We create tailored exercise programs to foster social skills and self-confidence in order to increase a child’s participation, or activities to assist children with developmental delays. Regular physical activity is essential for good physical and mental health and wellbeing; it helps children build strong bones and muscles, improves coordination, and increases the likelihood of the children sustaining an active lifestyle as an adult, resulting in a better quality of life.
Sustainable Ways of Living
At Leaps & Bounds, children are encouraged to be responsible actors who resolve challenges, respect cultural diversity, and contribute to creating a more sustainable world. Sustainability, as a way of living, is not simply about being environmentally aware. Sustainability encompasses many areas of life, from social practices such as incorporating the local culture and teaching children compassion, to ecological considerations, by developing children’s relationship with nature and their willingness to actively care for the environment.
Nutrition
Everything from learning, to memory and attentiveness, is affected by the foods we consume. We provide a nutritionally healthy fruit based morning and afternoon tea to support children’s overall strength and wellbeing, allowing them to have the energy to run around and explore. We believe that nutrition is crucial as it maintains a healthy immune system, prevents obesity, reduces the risk of chronic disease and instils life-long healthy habits. Currently we provide an assortment of fresh fruit for morning tea for the children to enjoy.
Self-Calming
Our learning environments, both indoor and outdoor at Leaps & Bounds, are designed as calm spaces. Our educators work with families to develop a child’s self-calming skills when transitioning in to the centre during goodbye routines and activities. We incorporate physical activity, yoga and mindfulness into our routines to teach children to ‘breathe, pause, focus, create and play’.
Learning Everywhere & All the Time
Play as a Way to Learn
Play is the most natural way for children to learn and is a prerequisite for their development. During play, children are motivated to learn and to be stimulated to take risks through exploration. At Leaps & Bounds we foster play to enrich important opportunities for further learning whilst being in a safe environment. We see our days as a world of opportunity for the children to collaborate with each other, explore their surroundings, practice problem solving and embrace imagination.
Active Participation
We recognise learning takes place in the simple, everyday moments of a day’s activities and routines. Children learn while they are eating, putting on their shoes, waiting in line, playing with their friends, and talking to our educators, who are trained to seek out these learning opportunities and support and extend the children’s learning. We encourage children to be independent: to dress themselves, eat independently and make wise choices and decisions.
Curiosity and Creativity
Our educators embrace activities which the children are interested in as they recognise that this sparks children’s curiosity and builds their confidence, empowering them to see the world through a lens of endless possibilities. We develop this spirit through enquiry, creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and problem solving to grow skills that will help our children thrive. Our days subtly incorporate science, maths, literacy, music, physical activity, ethical understanding, cultural competence and language.
Culture
Culture of Trust
We embrace a culture of trust built from mutual respect, reliance on others, listening and being listened to, predictability, understanding and shared responsibility. We design inclusive spaces where dignity and safety are the norm and where diversity is recognised and embraced. Everyone is welcome, encouraged and supported. A culture of trust is seen as a precondition for children feeling safe, expressing themselves, and exploring their world.
Our Nation
Instilling an awareness of the uniqueness of all cultures is paramount to our daily ethos. We promote the past and ongoing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and the importance of their heritage and contribution to our nation. Being culturally competent helps develop respectful relationships with our children, families and the community.
