Philosophy

Our Mission

Jigsaw Childcare is committed to providing children and families within our community the highest quality of care and education in an environment in which they belong.

In relation to children:

• We believe all children are capable and unique with individual needs, interests and strengths.
• All children are given equal opportunities regardless of their gender, culture, socio-economic background and we support the inclusion of children who require additional assistance.
• We acknowledge that children develop and learn at their own pace and educators will ensure expectations for children’s development are specific to each child, their unique experiences and individual backgrounds are valued.
• Children learn best through play and educators will support their development by giving the children the opportunity to choose their own experiences that, most importantly, reflect their interests and are meaningful.
• Educators will use positive forms of behaviour guidance and will continue to work in partnership with parents throughout this process.
• Educators will act on behalf, protect and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of all children and their families.
• Through our learning programs we ensure that:
• Children have a strong sense of identity
• Are connected with and contribute to their world
• Have a strong sense of wellbeing
• Are confident and involved learners
• Are effective communicators

In relation to families:

• We acknowledge that families are the most important people in their child’s life and have valuable information to share with us.
• We ensure the individuality of parents and families is respected and our care and education is appropriate to each child’s family situation.
• We believe that partnerships with families are beneficial to their children’s success at the centre and we endeavour to create sound and reciprocal relationships with our parents and the wider community.
• Families are welcomed and encouraged to become involved at the centre in ways they feel comfortable. Involvement is encouraged through orientation processes, our open door policy, special centre events, parent meetings and through surveys.
• We acknowledge that families need to feel secure in knowing that their child is cared for in a nurturing environment.
• Families should expect confidentiality, fairness and the respect for privacy at all times.
• We strive to extend learning in a child’s first language and incorporate home and cultural experiences acknowledging that cultural history shapes learning and development.

In relation to educators and staff:

• We employ professional educators and staff who respect each other and work cooperatively as a team to provide a high quality program for all children.
• We recognise and respect that every educator is an individual with diverse needs, interests, skills, knowledge and experience.
• We encourage and give opportunities to our educators to reflect on current practices and to further their skills and knowledge through training.
• We help to build an atmosphere of trust and respect through open communication, respecting different points of view, using constructive methods of conflict resolution and maintaining confidentiality.
• We believe that the role of adults within the centre is to be education facilitators who support, guide and encourage children’s learning at the child’s developmental level and pace.
• We abide by AECA Code of Ethics, UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, standards set by the Australian Children's
• Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), National Quality Framework (NQF) and The Early Years Learning Framework.

In relation to the Program:

• Through simultaneous indoor and outdoor play the children are empowered to make choices as well as foster high self esteem, social development, problem solving skills and negotiation strategies.
• We implement a program which is child initiated, child directed and adult supported and is based on the concept of the Emergent Curriculum and is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework.
• The program has an open approach incorporating a flexible and spontaneous outlook and educators encourage the children’s interests and their contributions to the curriculum.
• We acknowledge that educators play an important role in shaping children’s identities giving them the skills to face life’s challenges.
• A positive learning environment is created where children can learn at their own pace utilising individual skills and abilities.
• Educators actively observe children extend their learning by encouraging children to wonder, explore, test, predict, problem solve, negotiate, reflect and research through play and in partnership with each other and the educators.
• We acknowledge and support the process of children’s play and learning rather than focussing on a final product.
• Documentation is in the form of daily reflection journals, children’s portfolios, work samples and displays of children’s projects around the centre all of which are available to families for input at all times.

In relation to the environment:

• Our educators and staff recognise the importance of providing a safe, secure, homelike and consistent environment that supports trust and familiarity as well as active exploration of learning.
• We believe that our centre is an extension of our children’s home environments by establishing a calm, friendly and positive atmosphere where children take ownership and are active participants in respecting themselves, each other and our resources.
• We endeavour to create an indoor and outdoor environment that is natural, inviting, inclusive and rich of possibilities.
• We encourage children to positively contribute to creating eco-friendly and sustainable environments. This helps the children to develop into active environmental ambassadors who are appreciative and exhibit an awareness of our environment and the wider community for future generations.

In relation to the community and society:

• Our educators and staff recognise the importance of working with the local community.
• We believe that it is important to know and understand what is happening in our community to best care and assist the children and families utilising our service.
• Our practices respect and reflect the community’s aspirations for care and education of young children.