Gumleaf Gully Childcare Centre

Our Philosophy

The way we think about the nature of the child as a learner, the role of the Educators, the Centre organisation, the use of environments, and curriculum planning at Gumleaf Gully is strongly influenced by Reggio Emilia’s Philosophy.

At Gumleaf Gully

We see children as competent, active, critical, and full of potential. Individuals who desire to discover, wonder, and make sense of their world. They are driven to learn. At Gumleaf Gully the child is understood as protagonists of their learning. Their personalities, ideas and work are taken seriously and are part of our decisions towards our Educational Program and Centre decisions.

We see each child as a citizen of rights, including the right to be
respected and valued for their uniqueness. We believe there are Infinite ways that children can exist, communicate, explore, and connect with others and the world around them. At Gumleaf Gully children are provided with opportunities to engage with different creative processes, so they can explore different ways of being and use their Hundred Languages.

By listening, learning, understanding, and responding to every “language” of each child, Educators ensure effective ways of supporting them to learn and express themselves using art, music, science, drama, exploration, dance, discussions, and play. Using a holistic approach to learning our Centre offers an inclusive play-based space that enables every child to access learning in a way that respects their individuality.

At Gumleaf Gully we see play as a child’s state of being and as a means of becoming. Through play children develop agency, test theories, use creativity and imagination skills and construct new knowledge.

Every day children are provided with unhurried, and uninterrupted periods of play. By slowing down and being present Educators are responsive to each child and let them lead them through their playful voyage into their world. They then intentionally use various pedagogical strategies to offer children more complex opportunities for learning through social interactions and play.

Using a child-rights approach Educators underpin their practices with the principle of childhood being a time for children to live in the now, rather than just getting prepared for the future.

The Learning and Physical Environments play a crucial role in children’s learning and development and in our Centre, a lot of thought goes into it. Educators see both our indoor and outdoor environments as settings for learning, connection, and dialogue.

Educators purposefully set up their learning environments in ways to sustain each child’s spontaneous curiosity at a high level and that sparks all kinds of social, emotional, physical, and cognitive learning. As a team, we are constantly reflecting on how to design our Centre spaces in a way that promotes children’s well-being, and sense of belonging. We aim to promote children’s ownership of their surroundings so they can have access to what they need and when they need to resource their learning.

We are a very ‘homely’ and culturally diverse environment. You step into our Centre, and you will feel it. Children, families, and Educators co- create a positive and welcoming environment where children feel comfortable and confident to explore and grow. It is a space for genuine, loving, and caring relationships between children, Educators and families to flourish.

Room routines are flexible and not structured by time. We allow time for the children and Educators to engage with the authentic learning opportunities that arise at different times of the day. With knowledge and experience, and through informed practices Educators Create and maintain safe, healthy, stimulating, and inclusive environments that support all aspects of diversity and that promote children’s agency. We aim to give each child the possibility to be an active citizen in a democratic space.

Our Centre is run by a collaborative leadership style. We are a group of talented Educators who are passionate about Education and child development and who have been holding each other’s hands towards a shared goal: Making our Centre the best Centre for our Educators, children, and families and that is connected to the broader community. We believe that leaders are never self-made and that if you have great people around you, they will take you higher than your dream will. In our Centre, all voices are to be heard and valuable and it includes children, families, and Educators. We value their unique contribution towards complex concepts and ethical issues that are relevant to everyone’s life, to our Centre and our local Community. We Collaborate in learning about our shared responsibilities to the environment and humanity. This responsibility includes acknowledging our need to promote and advocate for every Child and culture including our First Nations Peoples,

We want to be a place where children can live life affirming experiences that influences positively their sense of belonging and identity, so they become successful critical lifelong learners. This responsibility includes acknowledging our need to promote and advocate for every Child and culture including our First Nations Peoples, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. 

With love, Gumleaf Gully Team

Come and see the Gumleaf Gully difference