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Lower Macleay Preschool has been providing early education and care to children in the Macleay Valley for over 30 years. As a small, non-profit, community based preschool, we are managed by a committee made up of parents and community members. We pride ourselves on providing quality, up-to-date early education and care in a safe and nurturing environment that meets the individual needs of children and their families.
Respectful partnerships with all people
Lower Macleay Preschool is located on Dunghutti land. Our preschool is between the mountains and the sea, and acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People as the original custodians of this country. Dunghutti People are deeply connected to their land and maintain a rich heritage and knowledge as they nurture and teach their children about their world.
We are committed to respectfully partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and promote the values of social and ethical responsibility and inclusion. Our vision is to provide a culturally responsive environment within the preschool and walk in harmony with all people.
Valuing all families
Lower Macleay Preschool acknowledge families are the child’s first teacher and as such we value and respect their participation. We honour the diversity of our country, each family’s culture, and heritage as we build trusting reciprocal relationships.
Valuing children’s agency
Early childhood is a time for children to grow and develop their sense of identity, value themselves as an individual in an inclusive group environment and foster their innate responsibility to learn and participate in sustainable practices.
Every moment has the potential to be a learning opportunity which is fundamental for each child’s well-being. Education is the right of every child therefore educators intentionally nurture a sense of wonderment and curiosity in children’s play and learning. By entering a collaborative relationship with children, we make visible that all children are competent and capable who actively learn in play.
‘Educators recognise children’s avid interest in their world, their ability to engage with concepts of sustainability and their capacity to advocate and act for positive change’ (AGDE 2022).
Our commitment to continual improvement
Our community-managed organisation is committed to ongoing professional development made visible through our work with contemporary research, critical thinking, and reflective practice. Daily collaborative conversations between educators provides the framework for our emergent curriculum and practitioner inquiry research.
Celebrating the joy of learning
Lower Macleay Preschool understands the importance of fostering curiosity and celebrating the joy of learning in early childhood. We embrace the potential of all children to build a strong foundation for life-long learning and delight in their achievements.
Reference Australian Government Department of Education [AGDE] (2022). Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (V2.0). Australian Government Department of Education for the Ministerial Council.
Lower Macleay Preschool abides by the Code of Ethics provided by Early Childhood Australia Inc.
The Code of Ethics provides a framework for reflection about the ethical responsibilities of early childhood professionals. Following a national process of consultation, principles emerged which are indicative of the values we share as early childhood professionals in Australia.
The Code of Ethics is intended for use by all early childhood professionals who work with and on behalf of children and families in early childhood settings. The vision of the Code of Ethics is ‘to act in the best interests of all children and work collectively to ensure that every child is thriving and learning’ (2016).
Our families come from nearby communities, creating a close-knit environment and strong parent partnerships. Our service is easy to access and centrally located in the Macleay Valley.
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Lower Macleay Preschool upholds the National Quality Framework that guides practice across seven quality areas:
1) Education, Program and Practice
2) Children’s Health and Safety
3) Physical Environment
4) Staffing Arrangements
5) Relationships with Children
6) Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities
7) Governance and Leadership
Our preschool is assessed against these standards and it is the framework that is followed by all early childhood education and care services Australia wide.
The Early Years Learning Framework supports the objectives and principles of the National Law and Regulations including the National Quality Standard. Recognising children as competent and capable learners who have rights and agency, the Framework has a specific emphasis on play-based learning and the intentional role played by both educators and children in extending and enriching learning.
The Framework identifies a shared Vision for children’s learning, Principles and Practices to underpin learning and teaching and the 5 Learning Outcomes. Together these elements inform the professional work of early childhood teachers and educators.
We deeply value the health and wellbeing of every child in our care. We prioritise creating a nurturing environment that fosters a healthy lifestyle and promotes wellbeing. Our indoor and outdoor environments are designed to maximise the safety and security of children and to allow for physical activity. The colour scheme, materials and landscaping of these spaces help children to connect with nature.
We encourage families to provide their child with a simple, fresh and nutritious morning tea, lunch, and a drink bottle filled with fresh water each preschool day.
Healthy eating is promoted and modelled
Physical activity is incorporated into the educational program
Indoor and outdoor spaces are safe, secure and connect with nature
Lower Macleay Preschool acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the people of the Dunghutti Nation, and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.