Minimbah operates a purpose-built Early Childhood Centre (ECC), which caters for both 3 year-old and 4 year-old children. It is staffed by expert and experienced professionals in the field of early childhood education. The aim of the ECC program is to provide a rich, comprehensive and meaningful program that matches the learning and developmental needs of each child, in keeping with the overall philosophy and values of the School. The heart of this philosophy is to engender in students respect for self, others and the environment.

Curriculum Rationale

The Early Childhood Centre blends the best of:

• Reggio Emilia
  
• Socio-cultural Approach
  
• Emergent Curriculum
  
• Inquiry-based Learning
  

  Play is the young child’s way of learning. Young children learn through experience and exploration of the world through their senses. . Interaction with others is vital in developing socialisation skills and interpersonal relationships.

  Woodleigh School’s ECC is committed to the development of individuals in the context of group participation in play, therefore planning usually revolves around interests that children share in small and large groups. In this way, the children learn from each others’ experiences as well as from interaction with adults. In our planning we think about how we will provide interactions and materials that will introduce your child to progressively more complex ways of understanding the world. These understandings include how to participate socially, knowledge about the physical world, and key concepts in early literacy and numeracy.

  Child development theory indicates that children learn most effectively if they are offered:

  • a comfortable, secure learning environment
    
  • support for their actions and development of language
    
  • guidance when making choices and decisions
    
  • opportunities to solve their own problems and acquire independence
    
  • a structure in which they can explore and experiment
    
  • opportunities to gain self esteem through the acknowledgment of effort
    
  • time to carry out ideas.
    

  The program at the Early Childhood Centre has been developed with these aspects in mind. Regular specialist input in the areas of physical education, music and art ensures a broad base of experience is available.

  We are fortunate to be part of a wonderful school, one which warmly embraces the children in ECC as an important part of the community. Being part of the wider School Community offers the children an opportunity to learn through modelling from older children, to develop an understanding of the wider world (in particular the culture and experience of school in preparation for future years), to grow in confidence and knowledge through interactions with older siblings/friends.

  We share in school life in many ways, including:

  • Specialist classes in Music, Visual Arts, Dance and PMP with regular use of resources such as the library.
    
  • Buddy program with Year 6 children.
    
  • Prep transition program
    
  • Attendance of assemblies and special events with the whole school when appropriate.
    
  • Visits from siblings and friends from older grades during recess and lunch-times (where appropriate).
    
  • Inviting School into ECC to share our work, view a completed project or a special event (e.g. hatching chickens or mobile farm) and visiting classrooms to experience special projects/plays etc.
    

  Age

  Children turning 3 years of age as of 30 April in the year of enrolment are eligible for entry into the 3 year-old Program. Please note however, that they cannot attend until after their third birthday. Children turning 4 years of age as of 30 April in the year of enrolment are eligible for entry into the 4 year-old Program.

  Operation

  The Early Childhood Centre operates as per the normal Minimbah school calendar. Both a four and five day programs are available for 4 year-olds. The four day program operates Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Both the four and five day programs run from 9.00am – 3.00pm. The 3 year-old program operates each Friday from 9.00am until 3.00pm. (see also: Programs-after school care)