What we Believe - Our Philosophy
Our core values are embedded in our practice
At Collard’s, our philosophy is rooted in a deep commitment to nurturing each child’s unique journey and supporting their growth within a respectful, inclusive, and high-quality learning environment. We believe childhood is a time for play, exploration, and thriving in spaces rich with open-ended opportunities that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
We advocate for every child’s wellbeing, resilience, and potential as a lifelong learner, while consistently upholding the highest Child Safe Standards in our daily practice. Families are recognised as the child’s first and most important educators, and we honour each child’s learning path through open, honest, and respectful communication. Our inclusive culture ensures that every child and family feels welcomed, valued, and empowered.
Our play-based program is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework V2.0 (EYLF), the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF), the Abecedarian Approach (3a), STEAM education, and inquiry-based learning. These frameworks support identity, culture, agency, and self-expression for all children from birth to six years. Families are actively invited to share home languages, traditions, and values, fostering a culturally responsive environment that embraces diversity, with particular care for Aboriginal children and children with disabilities.
Educators work in close partnership with families to create engaging and responsive learning experiences. Our carefully designed indoor and outdoor environments nurture curiosity and creativity, offering children the freedom to explore and construct their understanding of the world. Through positive role modelling, we encourage children to make healthy choices surrounding food and exercise, develop self-regulation skills, and engage in sustainable practices that respect and protect our environment.
Learning extends beyond the centre through community excursions such as visits to local libraries, gymnastics, and swimming programs—helping children build a sense of belonging and connection. A cherished part of our program includes daily interactions with our therapy dogs, Lulu and Lucy, who provide emotional support and enhance children’s social and emotional development.
We believe early childhood is not only a time for cognitive and physical development, but also a crucial stage for nurturing character. We are committed to fostering empathy, respect, and responsibility in each child, laying the foundation for emotionally intelligent, socially aware, and ethically grounded individuals. Through intentional teaching practices, meaningful relationships, and everyday interactions, we guide children to consider the perspectives of others, value fairness, and make thoughtful, respectful choices.
Nature plays a vital role in this development. By encouraging regular and meaningful interactions with the natural world, we help children build a sense of wonder, stewardship, and calm. Time spent outdoors—exploring, observing, and caring for living things—enhances emotional wellbeing, strengthens identity, and provides a valuable counterbalance to the growing influence of media and technology.
Through ongoing professional learning and close collaboration with families and specialists, we ensure that every child is supported to grow into a confident, capable, and compassionate learner—ready to take on the world with confidence and kindness. The child’s voice is embedded in every aspect of our curriculum, ensuring their perspectives shape planning, practice, and decision-making.
