Mansfield Kindergarten is a community kindergarten where all children are provided a quality education within a safe, nurturing, stimulating and caring environment. The kindergarten is managed by the parents of children currently attending.

The pedagogy underlining the philosophy of our kindergarten is based on social constructivism.

This theory asserts that people are active creators of knowledge, constructing understanding of their worlds through their experiences, social interactions and reflection with others.

Child

The focus of our education and programming is the child. We strive to empower children, by using their thoughts and ideas to develop the program. We encourage each child to reach their full potential in accordance with their individual ability. We encourage exploration and creativity and the importance of the process not the product. Our constructivist pedagogy means that educators at our kindergarten act as a guide and co-instructor. Children are encouraged to question and formulate ideas. Educators seek and value children’s comments, points of view and ideas encouraging alternative perspectives, representations, opinions and conclusions. Active dialogue between children and educators involves listening, waiting and responding. All children have the right to be safe and heard. Mansfield Kindergarten believes that inclusion means that every child has access to, participates meaningfully in, and experiences positive outcomes from our programs.

Our Environment

We value the contribution of children, parents, committee and staff in developing our program and facilities, and believe that the provision of quality education for children is a right.

Our environment provides choice, accessible open ended resources and opportunities for experimentation, play and creativity.

Educators use real life, relevant experiences for building understandings with children. They are encouraging and respectful of children’s work. They create an environment that is collaborative and social with opportunities for shared activity. Children have the opportunity to retreat, observe and play alone. Self regulation, self awareness and initiative are valued and fostered. Socially divisive behaviour is challenged respectfully.

Program

Our program supports the five learning outcomes of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development framework –

1. Children have a strong sense of identity
2. Children are connected with and contribute to their world
3. Children have a strong sense of wellbeing.
4. Children are confident and involved learners
5. Children are effective communicators

We have a strong focus on sustainable practices and encourage children to learn through interaction with their environment. Our indoor/outdoor program uses natural materials where children are encouraged to explore, create and invent. Our Earth Kinder program promotes ecological literacy through close contact with nature in all seasons.

Working with families to reflect and plan

We endeavour to promote trust, respect and collaboration between educators and families.

Educators listen and observe, valuing family and children’s voice as they gather information and monitor children’s construction of understanding. They thoughtfully follow up on children’s interests, ideas, questions and comments and adapt plans in response to children’s deepening or changing interests. Together this informs the development of meaningful goals and planning for the acquisition of valued skills, understandings and knowledge. Educators make assessments through authentic experiences and processes.

Educators

Each staff member brings personal qualities to the kindergarten environment such as empathy, respect, warmth and a passion for learning. All educators are committed to social constructivist pedagogy and therefore support children’s active engagement in learning.

Staff have regular opportunities to share in decision-making and to obtain feedback.

All educators are responsible for contributing to an organisational culture of child safety.

Community

We endeavour to nurture relationships with community organizations, local schools and the broader community and welcome family and community involvement in our daily programs whilst adhering to covid safe practises. We believe that as advocates for our profession, it is important to share our knowledge and experience and that we are a central link to information and support services within the wider community.

Mansfield Kindergarten would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet , the Taungurung people, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity for us to show respect for our Traditional Owners and the continuing connection the Taungurung people have to culture and Country.