OUR PROGRAMS
Bellingen Burrows promotes mixed age groups and provides an indoor/outdoor program that values children’s decision making. We have found this supports the learning of the younger children as they have their older peers as role models. In turn the older children develop leadership roles, sharing their knowledge and developing empathy for the younger child. This fosters emotional wellbeing and a stronger sense of community.
Our play-based curriculum is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework, “Being, Belonging, and Becoming’. Our program is based on projects that have come from the children’s interests or intentional teaching opportunities. Project work focuses on the topic and expands the learning through all areas including art, construction, dramatic play, cognitive activities, science, math, language, and group time activities. Projects can last up to a month depending on children’s interests.
Providing hands on activities and meaningful involvement in project work supports children to explore the topic in many different ways which in turn allows for a deeper understanding of the subject and learning experience.
Forming Partnerships with Families
Developing strong partnerships with families is a core value of our service. Partnerships involve establishing a sense of community and respect where both children and families know that they belong and make valuable contributions. Families are encouraged to share information about their child and collaborate with educators to develop long terms goals which support the child to learn & grow.
"Young children do best, now and later, when they are nurtured within a tightly woven web of love." -Baker, A.C. & Manfredi Petitt, L.A.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Bellingen Burrows acknowledges the Gumbaynggirr as the traditional custodians of the land where our community meets. We pay our respects to elder’s past, present and emerging and are committed to promoting children’s connection to local culture, people, and place.
Wellbeing is central to our philosophy, and we aim to provide a warm, inclusive, community environment where trusting relationships between families and educators enable children to feel safe, secure and develop a strong sense of belonging. Educators develop and maintain relationships with each other based on the principles of mutual respect, equity, and fairness. We are advocates for children and are committed to ensuring every child can participate in all aspects of the curriculum.
We believe that children who feel secure in their being are more likely to become confident and actively involved learners, exploring, experimenting, and trying new experiences. We provide an environment where play is valued and children develop dispositions such as curiosity, wonder and persistence under the guidance of responsive educators.
Children are encouraged to explore and connect with the wider community and develop a deep appreciation of the world in which they live. This allows children to develop an understanding of the rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation, social justice, and environmental sustainability. We embrace outdoor learning environments for the vast possibilities they present in respecting different learning styles, forming connections to nature and promoting exploration and risk taking.
By providing large blocks of uninterrupted play in our daily routine, opportunities occur for spontaneity and child led learning. Educators seek opportunities for intentional teaching, scaffolding children’s knowledge, abilities, and ideas. This allows children to develop complex thinking skills through meaningful interactions and experience a sense of accomplishment as they make learning discoveries.
Our program provides an atmosphere that promotes empathy, respectful relationships, equity, perseverance, and resilience. Through acknowledging children’s feelings, co-regulating with them and role modelling conflict resolution skills, we believe that children begin to self-regulate their behaviour over time. We foster positive self-esteem through responding to the rights of every child and recognise that children's early experiences impact their emotional wellbeing. Children are consulted about matters that affect them, so they become part of decision-making processes at the centre.
We value the arts and therefore provide a program rich in experiences that stimulate imagination, promote creativity, and enhance aesthetic development, fostering each child’s sense of individuality, fulfilment, and satisfaction.