Children at St Andrews are encouraged to try new experiences, activities and behaviours. There are never failures - simply efforts that didn't go as planned but can be altered and tried again.
Philosophy
Exploration & curiosity To foster in children a love of exploration and self-directed curiosity.
Diversity of the world To provide children with experiences that will open their minds to the diversity of the world in which they live.
Parent involvement To encourage parents to become a part of their child's ongoing learning process.
Appreciating each other To encourage children and parents to take joy in each other and the world.
Respect for surroundings To foster respect for the world and the environment.
Healthy Children To promote long-term health for children.
Practise
•Providing an environment rich in choices and open-ended activities.
•Encouraging independence and responsibility in children.
•Utilizing spur-of-the-moment ideas, suggestions and occurrences.
•Utilizing a variety of languages through songs, stories and conversations.
•Celebrating multicultural events.
•Inviting parents and other family members to a number of events throughout the year.
•Providing activities which highlight that people are all different.
•Supporting and promoting initiatives, which aim to improve the health and wellbeing of children.
•Utilizing recycling opportunities.
•Taking steps to reduce negative impact on the environment.
•Encouraging parents to visit at any time through our ‘open door’ policy.
•Providing flexible choices in session days and times.
Parent Involvement
Our programmes are open for parents to become involved at any time. Working parents can drop in if they get the occasional day off, while others are invited to participate in the helper’s roster.
We run a number of days and evenings which other family members may attend such as our "Getting to know you" session, Special Lunch days or "Big Boys Night Out" for the males of the family. Grandparents even have events just for them.
We also have a Parent Enrichment Group (PEG) that meets monthly to affect change at the kindergarten and as a communication point between parents, staff, St Andrews Uniting Church and Uniting Care Gippsland. If you are interested in being involved please speak to one of the teachers during enrolment.
Each family is also asked to assist in maintaining the kindergarten environment through participation in working bees.
