Education Programs
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world". Nelson Mandela
At Pandora Early Learning Centre, our programs for each age group are centred around the learning outcomes presented in the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). This framework outlines the importance of learning through play, and provides learning opportunities for children to reach their full potential in order to build a stable foundation for their future success. In doing so, the EYLF also recognises that each child is a unique individual who develops and learns at their own pace. At Pandora Early Learning Centre we work in sync with this framework to develop interest based programs, ensuring each child excels. When developing our programs, we ensure that each child's wellbeing is first and foremost. In doing so we adhere to the three elements outlined in the EYLF which are considered as crucial to a child's wellbeing. These elements are:
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Belonging: Experiencing belong, knowing who you are and where you come from is an integral part of human existence. Belonging involves children's sense of self and independence which allow them to form meaningful relationships with the world around them, which is another crucial aspect to development and ability to thrive.
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Being: Being recognises the significance of the 'here' and 'now' in a child's life. The early years of a child's life are not solely about preparation for the future, rather also about thriving in the present.
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Becoming: The becoming aspect in a child's life reflects the process of rapid and significant changes in a child's life as they learn and grow.
Joeys (0-2 years)
At Pandora Early Learning Centre we believe that education should begin at birth. Our aim is to develop a program which nurtures and caters for for rapidly developing infants as they take their first steps towards independence. Our infant program is created in accordance to the Early Years Learning Framework to assist children reach their key developmental milestones by encouraging the development of their fine and gross motor skills, psychomotor as well as social and language skills. Our educators have been trained to select the appropriate and most effective resources and experiences to fulfil the needs of the growing infants. We also believe creating meaningful relationships with the children at such a young age is paramount in ensuring that they feel safe and secure in their environment.
Wombats (2-3 years)
We believe that toddlerhood is an incredible period of immense exploration, discovery and growth. As toddlers further develop their understanding of the world around them, they begin to gain an increasing sense of self. At Pandora Early Learning Centre, we create an environment which facilitates their need and desire to explore while encouraging and supporting the development of their independence.
Koalas (3-4 years)
At this crucial age, children are making significant cognitive, social and emotional developments. They are constantly building their knowledge about their world by absorbing every aspect of their surroundings, language and culture. Our Koala's Education Program caters to this specific age group by continuously providing learning opportunities which fulfil a child's desire of learning through direct sensory experiences.
Our aim is to create a safe and secure environment where children feel as though they are able to freely express themselves. With each child's unique needs and interests at the forefront of our curriculum, our Koala room is beautifully and carefully crafted to assist each child reach their full developmental potential. In this room, our focus is on children learning and leading, while the educator acts as a guide to assist learning. We aim to foster each child's development of communication, creativity and self expression.
Emus Transitional Kindergarten Class (4-5 years)
In the Transitional Kindergarten Class, our program is informed by the Early Years Learning Framework, and taught by university qualified educators. Our aim is to provide each and every child with the knowledge and confidence to enter primary education and the world beyond, making this transition as smooth as possible. The kindergarten room and program are designed to mirror that of a 9-3 primary school setting to allow each child to become familiar with their upcoming new environment. Key learning areas including literacy, numeracy, health, technology and science are all embedded into our program so that your child is provided with a head start to their learning. Within this setting, children are also given endless opportunity to develop socially and emotionally, as well as become more independent and less reliant on educators, equipping them with all the necessary skills to take on primary education.
Montessori Education Room (3-5 years)
At Pandora Early Learning Centre, children aged 3-5 have the opportunity engage and participate in Montessori Education based learning and experiences. We have a room allocated and dedicated to providing students with experiences that are based upon the principles of Montessori Education. Educators which are allocated to this room have also undergone specific Montessori training in order to provide children with quality and targeted education.
Montessori maintains the view that knowledge isn't passively gained by listening to words, rather is gained through the experiences in the surrounding environment. In line with this, we provide children with a prepared room which aims to include and promote structure, order, freedom of movement and freedom of choice. With the use of Montessori specific materials, children will be encouraged to learn through hands-on experiences which allow them to make independent learning discoveries. Within this setting, the role of the educators is to guide students in their learning, and as a result, children progress at their own pace, according to their own abilities. Here, our ultimate goal is for children to develop concentration, self-discipline and a love of learning with a "Help me do it myself" approach.