Philosophy & Educational Approach
Our philosophy
We are guided by three core themes; Relationships and Partnerships, Life-Long Learning, and Inclusion.
Our integrated early childhood programs support children’s development through inclusive, play-based learning opportunities. Each child is an individual, and all members of our learning community are supported to collaborate and learn from each other in emotionally safe group settings.
We look to educational ideas and research to guide and broaden our programs. We learn from and with local Kaurna elders and other community members to foster an early understanding of Reconciliation and respect for diversity.
Educational approach
We understand that children learn best when they feel safe, secure, and connected. We have been practicing the Primary Caregiving approach for many years – in both our infant toddler rooms and kindergarten rooms. Educators use relational approaches (such as Circle of Security, trauma-responsive practice and Marte Meo) to inform daily practice and build sensitive and attuned relationships with your child.
It is essential that you and your child feels safe and supported in their exploration and discovery, and those individual interests within the group of learners are celebrated and developed to create meaningful learning opportunities.
Our teams actively build a secure relationship and partnership with you and your child. Individual interests within learning communities are celebrated and developed, creating meaningful programs of inquiry that reflect the worlds in which children live and learn. You will not see children sitting down at desks – when children are at Gowrie SA, they learn through lived experience, real materials, and slow, unhurried time to test their own ideas, drive their thinking, and overcome new frontiers of learning across all subject areas.
The Early Years Learning Framework (AGDE 2022) guides our thoughtful emergent inquiry planning, and children’s agency is at the forefront of each daily exploration.
