Little Swans Early Learning Little Swans Early Learning Little Swans Early Learning Little Swans Early Learning


Our Philosophy

We believe that Early Childhood is a separate and unique stage of life, where development of the child begins at birth. Children are our future, we will care for and "educate every child as if they are our own" - Margaret McMillan quoting her sister Rachel (McMillan, 1919).

Our environment will have a warm homely feel with an emphasis on nurturance, working with the whole child: social, physical, emotional and intellectual.

"Children are like tiny flowers; they are varied and need care, but each is beautiful alone and glorious when seen in the community of peers." -Friedrich Froebel.

In our work with children we:

  • Provide opportunities to develop, learn, play and have fun in a warm, respectful, caring environment surrounded by those they can trust
  • Create opportunities for free creative and dramatic play to develop each child’s ability to think independently and have the confidence to express their own ideas.
  • Inspire through playful curiosity to develop interest in music, culture, science, literacy and numeracy.
  • Provide extensive use of the natural environment to create authentic experiences, as well as respect, understanding and caring for our environment.
  • Develop stimulating, open-ended, unhurried sensory and playful learning opportunities whilst challenging the developing fine and gross motor skills
  • Seek to develop curiosity in children, as this creates a mind open to discovering the world around them, building learning confidence within children.
  • Intentionally teach and extend children’s understandings of the world around them through discussions and playful experiences.
  • Create real world opportunities for learning.

In our partnership with families we:

  • Recognise the importance of family in understanding each individual child’s needs and interests.
  • Believe communication is the key to successful partnerships between families and educators.
  • Acknowledge the need for families to feel welcome to create a strong sense of belonging.
  • Share knowledge and promote confident parenting.
  • Create a sense of a second home.

In our role as a community of learners we:

  • Believe that open mindedness to evidence based educational practices is essential to meeting the needs of children, families and the wider community.
  • Use a range of theorists, practitioners and the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework to guide our practice and enable us to meet the care and educational needs of each child.
  • Use open reciprocal communication between educators, children and families.

In our relationship with the community we:

  • Connect children and families with each other and local child and family support services.
  • Share our knowledge and expertise.
  • Contribute to community networks related to the Education and Care sector