St Clare’s Early Learning Centre Philosophy

St Clare’s Early Learning Centre (ELC) is a Catholic ELC called to serve the local community of
Pakenham. In promoting excellence in the Preschool Education of children, it will nurture the
growth and wellbeing of all children, families and staff. The Early Learning Centre is part of the
Parish of St Patrick’s Pakenham.
The Gospel values of Jesus Christ will be reflected both in an environment and in the way we act.
The Christian identity of our Centre will be alive, inspired and celebrated.

We value each child as an individual with their own strengths, culture and family. We respect the
rights of each child and their role within their own family. We will work to ensure that children are
not discriminated against on the basis of gender, ability, economic status, lifestyle, ethnicity,
language or culture. Children with additional needs will be supported throughout their time at the
Centre.

We strive to make St Clare’s Early Learning Centre a safe, warm, caring environment,
incorporating learning opportunities with sensitive, attentive staff and a sense of fun. We aim to
promote a learning environment that supports the social and emotional wellbeing of each child.

We encourage strong, positive links between home, the ELC, the parish and the community. We
recognise that we are partners with families in education and aim to work with families, supporting
their interests and values.

We support involvement with the local community, both here at the ELC and out in the wider
neighbourhood; helping the children discover how they can be contributors to the community to
which they belong.

We believe children are competent and capable learners. With reasonable, high expectations, we
encourage each child to strive towards their greatest potential. Learning opportunities are both
spontaneous and intentional. By offering children a chance to explore, investigate, experiment and
challenge themselves, we aim to develop skills that allow them to meet the challenges of life
ahead. With a strong, positive sense of who they are, children will face life with confidence.

St Clare’s Early Learning Centre values and incorporates the philosophy of the Early Learning
Years Framework (ELYF) and the Victorian Early Learning and Development Framework
(VEYLDF) into the daily program. The teachers and educators are supported, and guided by these
documents, to ensure we work with the families, to achieve common developmental outcomes for
all the children.

St Clare’s Early Learning Centre will promote and support ongoing professional development
within our team to guarantee a high standard of professionalism. We will reflect on and evaluate
our philosophy and program to ensure that we continue to move forward.

Review date: 22.05.2021