Guiding children on an adventure of exploration, learning and discovery.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy at North Lakes is broken down into four core elements, resilience, compassion, kindness and trust.‘A person’s a person, no matter how small’ – Dr Seuss
Firstly, we extend our respect to the First Peoples of the Gubbi Gubbi Country on which we play, work and live. We also look to these people for their modelling of living with consideration and sustainability on Country to ensure our children and our children’s children inherit a place to thrive long after we have left our footprints. We acknowledge their styles of teaching and learning has developed over thousands of generations and we will incorporate the Aboriginal 8 Ways of Learning pedagogy (developed in the north west of NSW) in our practices and documentation.
We respect diversity and strive for the development of cultural competency, within Expeditions North Lakes. Educators have an obligation to provide settings where children belong and learn about different cultures, and experience respectful friendships with children from various backgrounds in the early years (EYLF, 2009). We strive to embed the culturally diverse needs of our community throughout the service.
We acknowledge our strong ties to our South African and diverse multicultural community, incorporating language programs and utilising our bilingual educators to support the children and families within Expeditions North Lakes.
We acknowledge the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child, Article 14.1., which states ‘Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.’
Resilience
‘Resilience is the ability to cope with life’s ups and downs. We know from our own experiences that life’s ups and downs impact on our children too. Research shows that a number of factors impact on a child’s ability to build resilience.’
We believe that children’s resilience is enhanced when educators develop significant positive reciprocal relationships with children, knowing that the educators are there for them and believe in their abilities and always advocating for their best interests and needs.
Being resilient is one of the best predictors of children’s later success in life. Resilience is an important part of identity and wellbeing and enables children to persevere and succeed in the face of difficulties.
We encourage children to be active contributors and participants in the learning programs at Expeditions North Lakes supporting the development of positive self-esteem, relationships and resilience.
Compassion
‘Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.’
Most fundamentally, compassion is “not about me.” Compassion involves being aware of and caring about the needs of others. It means wanting to help others who are less fortunate than you.
We take others' needs into account by caring, accepting and having empathy for one another. At Expeditions North Lakes we learn to empathise with one another, developing skills and knowing what it is like to ‘walk in each other’s shoes’. We recognise and value each other’s feelings and needs, even though they may be different from our own.
We believe that compassion can enable children to understand others who are different from themselves and will allow them to see perspectives different from their own. Compassion will open the door to children being able to contemplate ideas and experiences that will enrich their lives and expand their world view. It shows children the joy of reaching out to others and contributing to making the world a better place.
Kindness
‘Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.’
We promote kindness by establishing confident and connected relationships with children and their families. Through being kind to one another we role model this to the children and people around us, while establishing our own positive connections with them.
We believe that the arts have the potential to strengthen our capacity for empathy, friendship, social bonds and concern for others, including future generations; and in turn growing kinder, socially cohesive communities.
Selfless acts of giving, be it a smile, a word of encouragement, or the offer of a helping hand, result in an emotional uplift not only for others, but also for ourself. Research has shown what we ourselves may instinctively know — kindness can be a major contributor to the levels of happiness any of us experience.
We will be sensitive to the vulnerabilities of children and families and respond in ways that empower and maintain the dignity of all children and families (as per the Code of Ethics).
Trust
‘Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships.’
Being open and honest through our conversations and social interactions with everyone is how we instill this belief to our centre and our broader community. Providing reliable and up to date information to families through Storypark, newsletters, our parent community area, parent information walls in each room and with day to day conversations help to establish trustful relationships.
If we can trust wholeheartedly that someone is there to support us in the toughest of times, it makes previously insurmountable challenges seem like ant hills. We, along with that person, can more effectively take on the challenges of the world and come out better for it (as per Tidemark Therapy).
In relation to the Australian Early Development Census, this is an integral quality to embed in our service due to the significant decrease in emotional maturity and social competence for our community, as shown on the Census.
Ultimately, we ensure each child is able to engage with educators in meaningful, open interactions that support the acquisition of skills for life and learning.
Our Brand Story
An expedition is a bit more special than an ordinary adventure. An expedition is a journey undertaken with a specific purpose in mind.
Expeditions Early Learning Journey was inspired by the important and essential journey children undertake from when they first enrol in childcare to when they move on and start their next stage in life.
Our name has a two fold meaning;
1. We lead from the front with our high quality care and innovative curriculum.
2. We walk alongside children and instill the essential tools and knowledge they need to prepare them as they embark on their next expedition.
Our Mission And Aims
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide the highest quality of care and support and guide children on a positive path of learning, development and self-discovery.
Expeditions Early Learning Journey Aims
Our Children
- To support, guide and instill key knowledge and skills that prepares them for their next journey.
- To incorporate play as a pivotal part of our curriculum and appreciate it as a core learning method.
- To ensure all aspects of a child’s development needs are programmed for and periodically assessed.
- To build trusting and respectful relationships with children.
- To encourage the development of children’s initiative and self-reliance in an atmosphere of trust and structured freedom.
- To encourage children to build and maintain relationships with their peers, their educators and the wider community.
- To develop an environment where children can feel positive about themselves.
- To provide a rich learning environment that encourages children to explore, discover and learn core skills.
- To always create innovative learning experiences that support children’s learning and engage their interests.
- To ensure concrete and sensory materials are incorporated in the learning environment.
- To provide age appropriate learning experiences.
- To appreciate and respect that children are naturally curious and eager to learn and they learn best when they are able to be the agent of their own learning.
- To ensure that no child is discriminated against and all staff respect the values, attitudes and cultural beliefs of all families in the best interests of their children.
- To ensure all children are treated individually, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, language and ability.
Our Families
- To always involve parents in decision making about centre policy development, staffing and general centre management.
- We aim to ensure the centre is always a welcoming and trusting environment for families.
- To ensure families participate in children’s daily programs and input into the experiences offered to their children.
- To respect and be aware and sensitive of the differing cultures and needs of families.
- To form a link with families and early childhood professionals and services.
- To communicate to families information about the centre and their child’s day through Storypark and other materials such as newsletters.
- To build and maintain respectful and supportive partnerships with each family.
Our Community
- To advocate on behalf of children and develop an understanding of the importance of early childhood education in all people’s lives.
- To promote awareness and understanding of quality children’s services.
- To involve members of the wider community in all centre activities and key educational experiences.
- To maintain connections with nearby schools, TAFE’s and universities.
Our Educators
- To be professional in all aspects of our service.
- To employ passionate and experienced educators that can deliver quality early childhood programs.
- To always promote the need to work as a team in order to create a learning environment that supports children.
- To ensure our working environment is fun and flexible yet ensuring we always provide a high quality of service.
- To provide secure and supported employment through sound industrial rights, conditions and personal practices.
- To ensure there are ongoing training and professional enrichment opportunities for all team members. We aim to ensure career advancement is mentored and planned for through succession planning.
