Gowanbrae Children’s Centre

Gowanbrae Children’s Centre was established in 2011.  We are a community based sessional kindergarten managed by Merri-bek Early Years Management.  We provide the local community with a high quality early childhood educational program for children aged three to five years and offers children outstanding facilities, including a large outdoor learning environment.

Children who attend Gowanbrae Children’s Centre are engaged in a play-based curriculum based upon children’s emergent interests. Both indoor and outdoor activities and experiences are carefully planned to enable each child to progress in their next step in learning.

Nature Play Program for both 3 & 4yo Programs

Gowanbrae Children’s Centre are also extremely lucky to have Moonee Ponds Creek close by and run a Nature Play Program for both 3 & 4yo Programs. While the children are at the site, they will engage in experiences such as climbing trees, visiting the creek in small groups, rolling down hills, playing games, using their imagination with natural materials, looking for bugs, anything they choose to do using their imagination and above all, having lots of fun. The outdoor learning provides plenty of opportunities for children to explore and play in a natural habitat, as well as providing further opportunities to develop children’s physical, cognitive and social/emotional development through discovery and play. 

Philosophy

Educational Curriculum: We provide a stimulating and engaging program which meets the individual and collective needs and interest of the children. The program enhances educational and social outcomes for children.

A rights paradigm: We uphold the right for children to feel safe, respected, heard and have access to quality education at all times within our program.Collaborative: Families play a central role in their child’s education and as such we strive towards a collaborative approach to working with families. This is marked with respect, honesty and integrity.Environment: An educational environment which is sustainable and embraces the gifts offered to us by nature, enhances the children’s curiosity for learning and deep care for the build and natural environment. We offer an indoor/outdoor program so as to meet the individual needs of children and to facilitate a best practice program. Valuing and acknowledging indigenous people and cultures: Acknowledgment and the valuing of Indigenous peoples and cultures is central to equity and pedagogical endeavours. We are committed to collaboration and learning from all cultures and the community members who may enrich our understanding of diversity and difference.Pedagogy is the educator’s professional practice, especially those aspects that involve building and nurturing relationships, program decision making, teaching and learning.We believe every child is unique in terms of life experience, developmental readiness, and cultural heritage. Partnership between family and Gowanbrae Children’s Centre is, therefore, essential to the optimal growth and development of young children. Our aim is to provide a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment that accommodates and embraces differences. We believe in the integration of learning and play. Our program is child-centered, extended, scaffolded and consolidated by teachers and reflects the interest’s and ideas of the children.The children have opportunities to explore the world around them, enabling them to become active, involved learners. We believe, with this foundation, children become curious, well-rounded learners, able to make independent choices and act responsibly; as capable individuals who can be instrumental to their own decision making processes and outcomes. This incorporates the following understandings that all children:

• are individuals and learn and express themselves through a variety of experiences;
• learn best through experiences which are child initiated, adult supported, open-ended, flexible spontaneous and fun;
• have the ability to self-direct their play;
• are naturally curious and by encouraging them to ask questions learning becomes more relative and authentic; and
• that social and emotional development is the foundation for a positive approach to all learning.

Parent Involvement

Volunteering at the kinder is a great way of being involved with your child’s kindergarten experience.  We welcome and encourage parents and carers to attend kinder and participate within our program. Some ways of getting involved are sharing a story in your home language, board game day, share time with your child in a different environment, assist educators with specific tasks and to join the Parent Fundraising Group.

Sustainability 

Gowanbrae Children’s Centre promotes an appreciation of nature and the natural environment and the connection between people, plants, animals and the land.  We engage in sustainable practices

Our staff

We have a team of committed, experienced and kind staff who always put the needs of the children first. The aim of our staff is to maximise the benefit of the kindergarten experience for each child by creating a relationship based on trust and respect. Each group has a minimum of two teaching staff –  a qualified teacher with a teaching degree specialising in early childhood and a co- educator with a diploma or certificate in children’s services. Our highly experienced staff recognise stages of child development and create and facilitate a learning environment that is responsive to the children’s interests, learning and needs. If you are interested in viewing Gowanbrae Children’s Centre please complete our Book-a-Tour to book your place for a scheduled tour.

National Quality Rating

We are thrilled to announce that Gowanbrae Children’s Centre has been rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standard in all areas by the Assessors from the Quality Assessment and Regulation Division, Department of Education at their recent Assessment and Ratings visit. This is a testament to the professionalism and commitment of the staff at the service.

What a great outcome for Gowanbrae families and children!

Please click to view our timetable and Q&A’s