Programs

Little Einstein’s has been designed to foster and develop children’s learning in early STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics). It helps develop children’s logical reasoning to increase their capacity to understand everyday maths concepts. Through experiments, hands on activities and investigations the children gain an insight and understanding for importance of mathematics. Little Einstein’s promote active problem solving and the autonomy to figure things out independently.

In every SELC classroom you will find a variety of mathematics materials. Educators introduce concepts by talking to the children using STEM concepts. In the classroom you will find engaging and hands on experiences focusing around these key learning areas. By doing so, this will strengthen scientific habits of collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking. STEM education also enables the children to understand how the world works in an integrated learning approach. STEM learning can happen anywhere. Children’s play and exploration naturally leads them being exposed to STEM concepts. This includes opportunities available for children to explore numbers, identify shapes and engage investigation through everyday experiences i.e. learning through play and everyday life skills.

Taking things apart and putting them back together is another exercise that helps to build problem solving skills. Children are also provided with opportunities to sort and count things, and children are assisted to represented data visual representation. Questions are always encouraged throughout any Little Einstein activity.

Little Learners has been designed to develop strong literacy skills by teaching children about vocabulary, sound, reading, writing, and speaking. Educators expose the children to an environment that is bursting with literacy learning.

Our book corners and writing centres help our children develop both phonemic awareness (which is the ability to hear, identify and manipulate individual (phonemes) in spoken words) as well as handwriting skills. The program also includes a variety of singing and rhymes and allows our children to develop literacy through the many activities that they do throughout day.

The educators at SELC encourage the children to talk rather using gestures, they engage the children in real conversations during the day, at mealtimes and particularly during play. Children are encouraged to talk to each other and express their needs or wants through talk.

As part of the Little Learners Program books are regularly read and discussed with children. Educators provided topic appropriate books and materials to inspire an interest in books and reading. Educators help children distinguish between words and picture, while exploring the orientation and directions of books.

Little Learners is designed to support and encourage literacy learning in a fun and meaningful way. Children are encouraged to have fun with language, alliteration, building awareness in rhymes and syllables.

Creative Me is designed to help children explore their expressive, artistic, and creative talents, enhancing their communication, confidence, and self-esteem. Creativity is integrated into our program, encouraging children to express ideas and make meaning using various media.

Educators at SELC are creative thinkers who innovate and value originality. We believe children are naturally creative, and our role is to nurture this creativity. Our daily activities include music and art, providing an environment where children can experiment and express themselves.

We offer open-ended art materials and outdoor play for children to make their own music. Educators encourage children to represent real and imaginary experiences through art, ask questions about their creations, and record their thoughts. We expose children to diverse visual arts and encourage them to draw on their cultural backgrounds. Dance and movement are also part of the program, allowing children to creatively express their experiences.

Imagination is woven throughout our curriculum, giving children opportunities to find creative solutions to problems and integrate their learning in fun, meaningful ways.

The All Around Me Program is about encouraging the future generation to connect and contribute to their world. Sustainability provides opportunities for children to gather knowledge about the natural world and how individual and collective actions can have an impact on the world. This Program is also about getting children to notice and reflect on their interactions with the physical world. We encourage the children to relate to the world around them. At SELC Educators create opportunities for children to learn, this is done by establishing safe environments for children to observe with all their senses and providing an opportunity for children to label and understand their observations. Within the All Around Me program, children are introduced to recycling, saving water, saving waste, gardening, and composting. After the activities are over, Educators encourage the children to reflect on what they’ve observed. These are embedded in the everyday practice of the children.

Activities vary depending on the age group, but the overarching aim of all around me program is to encourage children to experiment, observe and reflect. All around me is about sustainably – We use natural materials in our everyday play. Through all around me program, children are taught about the importance of preserving our natural environment through hands-on activities such as planting vegetable gardens and then incorporating the fresh produce into their lunches. Cultural awareness is another important aspect of all around me, with children being encouraged to talk about their cultural backgrounds. Additionally, children are introduced to different languages as well as being taught about Australia in the context of a global community.

The focus approach for 'All About Me' is to assist children to perceive their emotions and feelings in a manner which supports them to explore challenges to their full potential. 'All About Me' has been specifically programmed to guide children to identify and respond to the feelings of others and embrace leadership by setting examples through peer scaffolding in a supportive environment. Children are supported to build self-esteem to achieve a positive transition to school with confidence. SELC ELC prides itself on providing a safe and stimulating environment with predictable routines. Our predictable routines are implemented to support our little learners to make a confident transition from home to the school environment. Scaffolding is used to provide the children with developmentally appropriate challenges that cater to the children's learning needs which build specific skills required for the preparation of kindergarten. A sense of security is provided by setting out clear expectations that are appropriate for the child's development. Children are encouraged to express their feelings and emotions in a way which assists them to acknowledge the feelings of one another. Cultural diversity is addressed by building positive connections with the children and their world. Empathy is fostered through encouraging the children to work together to solve problems through the channel of social interaction. Children are directed to generate a level of respect by using manners and working collaboratively with educators in the learning environment.

Our program has been designed to support our learners to build the fundamental movement skills that is required for each individual child to grow and learn. Independence and resilience are encouraged to accommodate the children's fine motor and gross motor skills that are developmentally appropriate for each age group.

The environment has been specifically designed to foster the children to independently access resources which help build fine and gross motor skills to use through exploration and learning. Scheduled time is proposed for the children to use the provided materials to accompany fundamental movement through different forms of play.

The children are consistently involved in experiences which encourage them to increasingly take responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing. The practice of taking simple steps to reduce overexposure to UV rays while still enjoying the outdoors is educated to the children using sun safety in the physical environment. The responsibility of educators is to provide experiences which involve a range of movements and allow the children to learn about bodily functions.

At Shepherd Early Learning Centre (SELC), our Pre-Kinder program prepares children for lifelong learning and a smooth transition into Kindergarten. We focus on each child's unique readiness for school through our specialised programs, preserving their individuality while fostering growth.

Research shows that early learning between ages 0-5 significantly impacts a child's ability to acquire knowledge and succeed in school. Children who participate in high-quality Pre-Kinder programs are more likely to excel in life.

The SELC Pre-Kinder Program, implemented daily through play, recognises each child as a capable and resourceful learner. It supports their sense of self and wellbeing, giving them the confidence to interact with adults and peers, communicate their needs, and approach learning actively.

While each child's transition to school is unique, the SELC Pre-Kinder Program encourages children to achieve individual and group goals in a holistic and constructive manner. Throughout the year, we focus on developing social, cognitive, language, independence, physical (fine/gross motor), and life skills, challenging their development and abilities through our comprehensive programs.