Early Learning Centre

The early years are the most vital in a child’s educational life. During this time children are entering a social world stretching beyond the family. They are trying to establish themselves as members of a peer group community. It is during this period too that they acquire the foundation skills for future learning. They form crucial attitudes in learning and to themselves as learners. By the end of these early years of education children will have reached some important decisions about their own abilities and own worth. This places a special responsibility on teachers of young children to provide a warm, supportive but challenging environment.

Additional information can be found in the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten – Additional information for parents/carers of Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten boys publication.

Guiding principles

• Children learn when they are having fun, experience success, feel secure and have a sense of belonging.
• Curiosity, wonder and imagination are encouraged and developed through creativity and child centred, play based, hands on learning.
• Children connect and contribute to their world through inquiry and discovery. Thinking is at the centre of all inquiry.
• Children have authentic opportunities in a range of curriculum areas to develop their thinking and problem solving skills. They are actively involved in gathering and processing information using all of their senses.
• Children learn to be socially responsible and show respect for others and their environment.
• Children take learning risks to develop their social, emotional and physical wellbeing. They are supported in developing skills of independence, resilience and perseverance.
• Children participate in the digital world positively and productively.

Curriculum

The curriculum in the Early Learning Centre is based on the Early Years Learning Framework for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten year groups (with a Reggio Emilia approach where relevant) and the Australian Curriculum for Prep (Foundation) to Year 1. The class teacher takes all of the core subject areas including, English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography and Art. Specialist teachers are provided for Music, French, Physical Education, Library and RAVE (Religious and Values Education). Provision is made for EAL/D (English as an Additional Language or Dialect) support and there are targeted support and Gifted and Talented programs from Prep to Year 1.

Co-curricular activities

Co-curricular activities for the Early Learning Centre boys include dance, music and individual instrumental lessons (tuition fees apply).

Special features

• Award winning purpose built classrooms.
• An onsite Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) facility for boys from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6.
• A separate play area – with phased in participation with older students.
• Whole school participation for certain events (e.g. House Assembly).
• Informal buddy system with Junior and Senior School students.
• Regular weekly chapel for Pre-Kindergarten to Year 5 students.
• Early Learning Centre Assembly once a fortnight for students and parents/carers.
• Early Learning Centre and Junior School combined Assembly every alternate fortnight for students and parents/carers.
• Links with our co-operating girls’ schools, Fahan School and St Michael’s Collegiate, for combined social/learning opportunities.

ACECQA (Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority) – Exceeding National Quality Standards

The Hutchins School Children’s Service, including Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, OSHC and Vacation Care have an overall rating of Exceeding the National Quality Standards. The National Quality Framework offers a national approach to regulatory requirements, the assessment and rating of services and quality improvement processes across the early childhood education and care sector, including OSHC and Vacation Care.

Our rating of Exceeding highlights that as a service, we have gone above and beyond what is expected of a service to meet the quality standards. It shows that we have demonstrated consistently high-quality practice, commitment and understanding across all seven Quality Areas, and have shown our practice is embedded in all service operations, is informed by critical reflection, and that practice is shaped by meaningful engagement with our families and community.

The Exceeding rating demonstrates our ongoing commitment to children, families, and education, and that our service is dedicated to maintaining the highest quality learning environment.