Sustainability

At the Learning Nook, we are passionate about our environment. We practice what we teach, and teach what we practice. In developing our Sustainability Management Plan, we are guided by the recommendations for Reducing Waste in Childcare Centres – Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. We aim to re-cycle, reduce waste, reduce energy, reduce chemicals, and use environmentally safe products where possible. We compost our food scraps and use organic liquid fertiliser from our worm farm, providing eco-friendly nutrients for our herb and veggie gardens.

By forming partnerships with Natura Education, we can collaboratively work together in nurturing our environment and encouraging our children to discover and investigate their natural world whilst reducing their footprint on it.

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) touch almost every aspect of our lives.
Smartphones, tablets, robots, surgical engineering and technology, alternative energy sources….the list goes on.

The Department of Education and Training is strengthening STEM education in Queensland state schools. Younger children in early childhood settings are capable learners of advanced STEM concepts, developing critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical capabilities. Learning opportunities exist across a wide range of play – reading a book, storytelling, dramatic play, art, digging in the garden….just about everywhere.

At The Learning Nook, our educators are committed to advancing their professional development in STEM pathways so that we can facilitate the learning of our future scientists.

Sports & Active Movement Program

Being active is healthy for children.  Being active strengthens and develops muscles, develops healthy bones, increases blood circulation, maintains healthy body weight and healthy hearts. As well as the physical benefits, there are also many other benefits such as improving concentration, developing social skills and helping children feel more confident, happy and relaxed.  It is recommended that pre-schoolers have at least 60 minutes of adult-guided movement activities and 60 minutes of free movement exploration, every day (NAPSE 2002:9).

Our Physical Activity program strengthens movement and locomotor skills, balancing and stability skills, and relaxation.  With a mix of sports, yoga, and dance we take a holistic approach to physical development.

Curriculum

Our play-based curriculum provides opportunities for children to explore and extend their knowledge, inquire and create, and develop a sense of belonging and connection to their world. Our holistic approach to setting the environment provides opportunities for the children to extend their knowledge in all learning, including:

  • Visual arts
  • Creative arts
  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
  • Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices
  • Language and Literacy
  • Let’s Nabei Language Program
Our Curriculum also provides experiences that provide a world of possibilities through the following:

Excursions Events – Exploring and venturing out into the local community allows children to explore the world around them and connecting to the Southport Community. These experiences provide opportunities for children to form self identity, a sense of belonging and to be an active citizen within the community.

Hosting fundraising and significant calendar events – These experiences provide rich and varied learning enhancing and promoting awareness to the world around them fostering skills to become community-minded citizens.

Our educators embrace the EARLY YEARS LEARNING FRAMEWORK and QUEENSLAND KINDERGARTEN LEARNING GUIDELINES when planning our educational programs.

EARLY YEARS LEARNING FRAMEWORK (EYLF) is a guide which consists of Principle, Practices and 5 main Learning Outcomes along with each of their sub-outcomes, based on identity, community, wellbeing, learning and communication. The Learning Outcomes are used to reflect on children’s learning and focus on what a child can achieve rather than what they can’t. Achievements are celebrated and goals set for further learning outcomes.

QUEENSLAND KINDERGARTEN LEARNING GUIDELINE (QKLG) supports kindergarten teachers’ professional practice in a range of contexts. The guide is based on the EYLF and embraces the inclusive vision that “all children experience learning that is engaging and builds success for life”. The learning and development areas are identity, connectedness, wellbeing, active learning and communicating. We aim to promote continuity between curriculums in our Kindergarten and Preparatory year to promote successful transitions into the early phase of schooling.