Philosophy
We respect these voices at O’Halloran Hill Kindergarten
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The child’s voice as the child is at the heart of all that we do.
The voice of parents and other significant adults in the in the child’s life
The educator’s voice.
The voice of the environment and the context in which we all live.
Relationships between these voices matter: relationships between children, parents, staff
and the community. Therefore we value relationships that are based on
• powerful, responsive, reciprocal and equitable interactions,
• building and sharing professional knowledge around each child as a learner,
• being caring, responsive and kind.
The child’s voice is nurtured, encouraged and valued as mandated in the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
We value and respect
• the child as a competent, capable thinker and learner within their family and
community,
• what the child brings from his/ her home and community,
• the child as a co- constructor in their curriculum... “ all kids have a say in what
happens at Kindy”
• the child’s right to be empowered to make choices and decisions in all matters that
affect them,
• the child’s right to play.
The voice of parents, educators and other adults in each child’s life: together the adults
will, through active engagement, establish a partnership that promotes and nurtures
children’s wellbeing and engenders a sense of belonging for all.
The educator’s voice : it is the responsibility of each educator
• to learn about each child
• to promote a disposition for life long learning by observing, reflecting and coconstructing learning with children and parents.
• to be an advocate for children and families especially when children and families
present with special needs.
• make professional decisions around the child through intentional teaching and
planning
• prepare and implement a programme that ensures a fair and safe environment,
encourages and supports all learners and challenges children’s thinking and
experiences.
The voice of the environment matters:
We acknowledge and respect the role of all voices in the establishment and maintenance of
the environment including the culture of learning, the culture of caring, the professional
practices and the creative physical environment which
• is rich with learning opportunities,
• is respectful of the land in which we live: its animals, its plants, its past and its
present and future sustainability,
• creates spaces for wonder, places to be curious, places for “being” and places to
“become”.
“ I love the way my child tells me about his day and he is always smiling and so excited to
tell me everything. That tells me that what he is doing here is engaging him and teaching
him.” Parent quote 2012