Our Philosophy
Vision Statement: Empowering young people for the future and lifelong learning
Epping Little Sprouts Philosophy was created in conjunction with staff, children and families. As one of our families feedback stated- It is the compass for every member of ELS community. It contains core values that guide the behaviour of all stakeholders. It contains strong pillars to ensure the children’s well being.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land in which our centre sits on, the Wallumedegal people of the Eora Nation. Epping Little Sprouts supports the identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and enhance the knowledge of non-indigenous children. We pay attention to the cultural identity of the Aboriginal community in which we are situated. We support children’s understandings of diversity through programs, activities, music and resources through our everyday curriculum.
At Epping Little Sprouts, we pride ourselves in ensuring children’s care and safety are always the highest priority. We believe that every child has the right to be safe, respected, and supported to thrive. The safety, wellbeing and best interest of the child are our paramount consideration and underpin everything we do. We are committed to being one of the five trusted heroes in each child’s life, as highlighted in the safe series. We will ensure to build trusting relationships with children and their families, so everyone feels welcome and part of the Epping Little Sprouts Family. By building consistent, respectful, and nurturing relationships, we position ourselves as reliable role models who listen, guide, and advocate for every child. Through predictable routines, open communication, and emotionally responsive interactions, we help children develop a strong sense of security, confidence, and belonging, empowering them to explore, learn, and grow knowing they are supported by trusted heroes who truly know and value them. We are committed to embedding child safety in organisational leadership, governance, and culture and will be guided by the child safe standards.
Our planning for children will be guided by Reggio Emilia, an educational philosophy which acknowledges children as 'knowledge bearers' and the teachers are 'co-learners and facilitators' of the educational development and wellbeing of a child. It values the child as central to their own learning. Our planning and programming will be child-centred driven, to empower children to be lifelong learners. Children are viewed as successful, competent, and capable learners who are given opportunities to construct their own understandings, contribute to the learning of others, and participate in decisions that affect them.
Management, team members and educators are dedicated to quality outcomes for children. They are professional, committed to lifelong learning, skilled, knowledgeable, reflective, and collaborative. We have a strong emphasis on teach and repeat.
Every child that comes to Epping Little sprouts is unique and has varying different abilities. All children are given the same opportunities to participate in the program. We will actively support each child to reach their potential and guide them through their individual learning in partnership with families and professionals within the community. Educators support each child’s agency to guide the program which gives children the ability to influence their own learning. We will ensure to allow children to learn and develop at their own pace and encourage them to make their own decisions. Educators use an inclusive approach when programming and planning to support all children. Each child comes to Epping Little sprouts with a different set of experiences, knowledge, and interests.
We believe that the natural world is essential to the holistic health and development of children. Sustainable practise will be embedded into the daily program to enrich children’s understanding of our world and how precious it is.
Our routines, meals and environments will be influenced on ensuring good health and well-being of all children.
We will seek to build on the child’s home experiences and we acknowledge the range of diverse lifestyles and cultures of families and the community and actively engage with them. Our families are valued, and their diverse backgrounds culture and or socio-economic background will be respected, inclusive, whilst reflected and empowered in our program. We are committed to place children at the centre of all decision making, ensuring their rights, voices and agency are valued and respected.
Epping Little Sprouts will be guided by the National Law and Regulation, the National Quality Standards, our centres Quality improvement plan, our centre Policies, the National Quality Framework V2, code of ethics and Early Learning Years Framework and Safeguarding Children in all practises and managerial decision-making procedures that will support the educators to create a strong confident, professional and respectful team that provides quality care to all children.
