Knowing where and with whom you belong is integral to human existence - “Belonging”
We respectfully acknowledge the Kombumerri People past and present, and their strong connection to the land Kids World Gilston is situated on.
At Kids World Gilston we base our philosophy on relationships. Relationships with children, families, staff, community and environment. Through a widening network of secure relationships, children develop confidence and feel respected and valued. Building trusting relationships provides children with a secure base for exploration and a positive foundation to learning.
Kids World Gilston is an inclusive service, and we have a respect for diversity. We understand there are many ways of living, being and of knowing. Respecting diversity means within the curriculum valuing and reflecting the practice, values and beliefs of our families and our Indigenous culture reflected in our Reconciliation Action Plan. We recognise that diversity contributes to the richness of our community.
We believe that childhood is a time of enjoyment, wonder and learning. Through their play, children make discoveries, construct knowledge and express themselves providing the foundations of learning for the future. Our play inspired curriculum provides a dynamic environment, which encourages exploration, enquiry and creativity. This gives children the time and opportunity to have influence over their learning.
Kids World Gilston adopts a holistic approach to teaching and learning. We recognise connectedness. When early childhood educators take a holistic approach, they pay attention to children’s physical, personal, social and emotional wellbeing as well as cognitive and language aspects of learning.
We see each child as an individual and draw upon aspects of home life to cater for varying needs. Home is the child’s first teacher and we, as educators, enhance and build on a child’s learning so a balance is achieved between home and our early learning service.
We provide an environment which is safe, supportive and caring, where the children form secure attachments with educators. This facilitates the development of positive self-esteem where children learn to value their own and each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We feel that if a child is confident and has a healthy inner wealth, they are more likely to participate in all activities provided and can reach their full potential as individuals.
Kids World Gilston uses our natural environment as a third teacher for children to learn, explore and play in. We provide an interactive Nature Play Program and are an accredited Bush Kindy and Forest Learning Centre with Nature Play Australia.
‘People of all ages who participate in nature-based activities tend to be happier and healthier than those who do not.’
– Nature Play QLD
We provide opportunities for our children to care for animals, observe nature and wildlife and spaces that have natural elements such as trees, grass, dirt, rocks. Offering an outdoor environment that includes uneven ground, climbing up slides, trees to climb, rock hopping, creek beds, forts to climb, sand pits to play in, shady trees and mud pits to explore provides acceptable risks which builds confidence, resilience, fine & gross motor skills and in turn builds neural pathways which leads to healthier, happy children. Children need significant play in an outdoor environment as this has numerous health benefits and provides children with real, direct hands-on opportunities that are experiential, meaningful and worthwhile. Our Adventure Playground complements our Nature Play Program with the inclusion of loose parts play. Loose parts challenge our children’s critical thinking, engineering skills, communication and imagination
“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.”
– Friedrich Frobel
The following statements summarise the culture we endeavour to build on within our centre:
For Children
- To build a trusting relationship with each child in our care
- To create an environment that will entice, excite and challenge, thus assisting children to reach their full potential.
- To observe and plan for all children in various ways to enhance their individual learning and development.
- To treat children as individuals
- To value each child’s personal background (cultural, economic, moral)
- To provide the highest standards in accordance with the duty of care statement produced by The Code of Ethics.
For Parents and Community
- For staff to communicate effectively to exchange information about each child and the centre as a whole
- For staff to encourage parent participation and involvement within the centre
- For staff to be attentive and thorough in the orientation process of children and families
- To commit ourselves to ongoing education for all parents, on the value of play and on the specific skills learnt in each area of curriculum
For Staff
-
- For management to offer support and encouragement
- For staff members to respect each other
- For management to have and adhere to an open door policy.
- For staff to be appropriate role models at all times
- For staff to maintain dedication and commitment to providing the best possible care to children
Developed 7/93 Review: 11/04, 2/05, 3/06, 2/07, 1/08, 1/09, 2/10, 3/11 3/12, 3/13, 3/14, 2/15, 2/16, 6/17, 6/18, 6/19, 3/20, 09/23, 03/24.
ENROL YOUR CHILD NOW FOR 2025
Kids World Gilston is now accepting enrolments for 2025