ABOUT
Values
Lalor Park Preschool first and foremost values providing a loving and nurturing environment where each child’s uniqueness is celebrated as we learn through play. Each child is viewed as being a capable, independent, curious learner who brings with them their own skills, knowledge and understanding which forms the basis of their learning.
Our educators value and acknowledge the importance of building and fostering strong, supportive and secure relationships with each child and their families (their first teachers).
We value and respect the relationships children have with their families and communities, working in partnership with parents, to ensure each child’s knowledge, ideas, culture, abilities and interests are the foundation of our programs.
The Team
We believe that a higher than required ratio of educators to children is the most beneficial to support each child’s development and educator well being. All our educators are trained with four university trained teachers, Diploma and Cert III trained educators who are committed to and passionate about early childhood education and care.
Our team promotes human rights, safety and wellbeing of all children and consider and respect the diverse backgrounds and needs of children.
We create an environment that promotes and enables children’s participation and is welcoming, culturally safe and inclusive for all children and their families.
All educators hold a current First Aid Certificate, as well as Anaphylaxis, Asthma and Child Protection Certificates. All staff members hold a Working With Children Check and are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
All educators regularly attend courses and training in different areas of early childhood education to keep their knowledge and practices up to date, refresh and extend their knowledge, and further contribute to the provision of a high quality programs and learning environments for children.
Educational Program
Our educational program is delivered through an intentional, play-based pedagogy aligned to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) v2.0. At Lalor Park Preschool we believe the key to learning is through PLAY!
Through play we are learning who we are and how to interact with others as we explore our world. The children are encouraged to ask questions, use their imaginations, problem solve, hypothesise, inquire and develop a pure joy for learning.
Educators are diligent in their responsiveness to each child as they provide them with a meaningful learning environment that challenges, supports and nurtures their development. Each child’s successes and achievements both big and small are acknowledged and celebrated.
Educators build on each child’s knowledge as they observe them in their play, taking notes, and photos. These observations reflect and guide the programs over the coming days and weeks and are shared with families through an online digital platform.
Curriculum
From the moment they start at preschool the children are developing their school readiness skills as they separate from their caregivers, build relationships with familiar educators, form friendships with their peers and communicate their needs and wants to their educators and peers.
The curriculum is built on every child’s interests as both individuals and as a whole group. Our educators value the ideas children bring to the program and foster a sense of agency in all children to share their ideas, engage in respectful and meaningful conversations and support children in making their own decisions. Children’s independence and self-help skills are fostered as they are encouraged to be responsible for their own learning and make choices throughout the day. Educators continue to foster children’s language and communication skills as they are encouraged to ask questions, share news and contribute to group time discussions. All children are encouraged to be involved in language and music group times each day to enhance their learning.
Learning experiences such as art and craft, painting, puzzles, blocks, construction, dramatic and imaginative play, literacy, STEM, sand play, gross motor activities, mud kitchen and gardening as well as other experiences that promote exploration, environmental sustainability and awareness are provided each day.
Management
Lalor Park Preschool is a community-based, non-profit preschool managed by a dedicated committee of our families and members of the wider community who are elected at the Annual General Meeting held in March each year. The Management Committee and Nominated Supervisor meet regularly and together, they are responsible for the overall operation of the preschool.
The Management Committee consists of 7 members, in the following positions:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Ordinary members x 3
Operation
Lalor Park Preschool is a Community based not for profit preschool that has been serving the area for over 45 years. It is run by a dedicated Parent Committee, the preschool’s Nominated Supervisor and the staff team.
The preschool is licensed between 8.00 am and 3.30 pm (Monday to Friday). We are open during school terms only and are closed on Public Holidays and during School Holidays (NSW Department of Education School Holidays). We are a community based not for profit service licensed by the Department of Education and Communities for 40 children each day.
We have 2 classrooms, our Rainbow Room and Sunshine Room with 20 children in each group.
Attendance patterns are as follows:
Monday / Tuesday or Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday
Thursday / Friday or Wednesday / Thursday / Friday