Our philosophy

At Estrella we understand and value play as the young child’s avenue for learning. We place play at the heart of the Preschool program, within an environment which promotes discovery, exploration, manipulation, problem-solving, creativity, literacy and independence. We are sensitive to each child’s individual needs, interests and abilities and we aim to foster each child’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Children and families are respected and valued, regardless of their gender, ability, religion, social or cultural backgrounds.

Teachers and assistants work together to create a secure, safe, relaxed and warm atmosphere at Estrella. They are affectionate and caring. They give children choices within a framework of limits and a clear understanding of acceptable behaviour.

The teachers formulate an educational plan for their groups, which consists of a blend of advanced planning and reflection, and following up observations of what the children have been interested in and have been experiencing. This includes considerations for the children as a group and as individuals.

The program provides for abundant creative self-expression, based on an open-ended approach that values the process more than the product. The program includes experiences in the areas of music, maths, literacy, art, science, literature and nature. The outside environment is considered as valuable for learning as the inside environment.

Our commitment

Commencing preschool is one of the most important steps of your child 's educational development, as children adjust from being at home with their families to functioning as individuals within a group.

At Estrella Preschool our staff will work with you to get to know your child and your family in order to make your child's time at Estrella a happy building of the foundations of all future learning.

Our teachers see themselves as working with you as a team, to best promote your child's development. Throughout the year, they welcome information from you about your child and about how you feel your child is settling and progressing. In return, the teachers will advise you about your child's progress.

Formal parent/teacher meetings will occur at the beginning of the year for all groups, and mid-year again for the four-year-old groups. Our teachers however invite you to approach them any time you need to discuss your child's progress. It might be a casual chat when you are doing the 'stay, play and help' roster, or you might want to make an appointment for a more private chat once the session has finished. Our teachers are highly capable of explaining the reasons behind the programs they run, so if you have any concerns, you are welcome to discuss them with the teachers - in fact we expect you to, in order for your concerns to be resolved. Teachers will keep you informed about their educational program and special events, using notices, displays and newsletters. Both the three- and four-year-old groups have noticeboards inside, above the lockers, and the whiteboard outside is also used for day-to-day messages.