In 2010, Abbotsleigh extended its educational offerings to earlier years. Our Early Learning Centre is a warm and inviting space for boys and girls up to five years of age, while our Transition class is specially designed for girls aged four. Both the ELC and Transition class are based on the Woonona Avenue campus.

 

A number of core principles form our foundation blocks for early learning. Most importantly, we recognise the importance of early childhood as a unique stage in life. Young children are full of curiosity and wonder about their world. They learn from everything that happens to them and around them; they do not separate their learning into different subjects and disciplines. In fact, they learn best when they:

Our aim is to foster the wonder, curiosity and creativity of each child through fun, stimulating programs where children can play with ideas, ask questions, be involved in problem solving and actively engage in experiences. 

 

Our programs reflect an emergent curriculum and are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach from northern Italy and enriched by other leading early childhood philosophies.

 

These programs emphasise the individual child and the importance of using experiences at home, at school and in the wider community. They recognise the potential of young children to question, reflect, problem solve, theorise, experiment and express their findings in a variety of artistic ways.

 

As is current practice at Abbotsleigh, appropriate technology is used when it enhances learning opportunities for students. In addition, we use technology to document the projects on which children have been working throughout the day. This forms part of our communication with parents.

 

Relationships are an important facet of life at Abbotsleigh. It is vital that teachers and parents work together to build a community of enquiry between adults and children. Families are actively involved in meetings, conferences, celebrations and events. Parents receive regular and ongoing feedback about the development of their child and we run parent seminars.

 

Our Early Learning Centre and Transition classroom have been architecturally designed so that children feel safe, secure, challenged and stimulated. The rooms have flexible floor plans that allow for the creation of many learning spaces. The rooms open onto a paved, covered, outdoor area that is a link to the playground.