Mother Teresa Preschool Philosophy

Families are children’s first educators who bring unique cultural and social experiences and expectations to preschool. We celebrate diversity and critically reflect to create a place of possibility and potential.

Children are individual, independent and capable learners and we recognise their right to learn in a safe and harmonious environment. We follow the child's lead, encourage risk-taking and provide opportunities for real-life and meaningful learning, while acknowledging that they are competent and independent learners with the same rights as adults. Children's voice and autonomy is at the centre of what we do; our role is to empower children to lead their own learning.

Through our commitment to the Catholic ethos, we support each other, the children and community to ‘do small things with great love'. We are committed to being strong role models and to learn with children through play. We guide ethical citizenship, spirituality and an unwavering sense of belonging to our family, school and local community.

Relationships at preschool are built with respect and authenticity, and with the understanding that meaningful learning happens when there are genuine, trusting relationships. To build relationships, educators maintain a strong collegial commitment to our Code of Ethics, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Mparntwe Education Declaration. We work collaboratively and with an open mind so that we reflect on professional practice to ensure we work within, and at the frontier of, contemporary early childhood pedagogy.

We have a close connection to nature and to Country, which fosters our responsibility to the environment around us. We take our lead from the original custodians of the land, the Ngunnawal people and are committed to learning and sharing the ways of the people before us.