Our Philosophy                             

Newport lakes childcare & early learning (NLC) is a family owned and operated centre that strives to offer high quality childcare and a flexible early learning program based on every child’s individual needs and interests.

Here at NLC we offer a home away from home and a community hub feel and we are committed to providing a secure, safe and happy environment that is flexible, engaging, stimulating and enhances children’s development and learning.

NLC believes children learn from birth and we understand the importance of building a solid foundation for the love of learning that will benefit children for the future ahead.

We believe and support the importance of children having time to explore, dream, create and imagine without any restrictions. Play is vital in the development for children to meet their full potential. Through play children discover themselves, their strengths and weakness, interests, building self-esteem, express feelings, and learn and practice language. They develop and refine creativity and problem-solving skills and develop independence and autonomy.

Meaningful engagement Our aim is to help nurture the development of children's self-esteem by providing secure, respectful, and reciprocal relationships between families, children, and educators. We believe trust is a basis for all relationships, and when demonstrated between adults and children this will allow individuals to develop positive attitudes towards themselves and others.

Partnerships between educators, families and children and our community are a very important factor at NLC and we will always endeavour to encourage active and reciprocal relationships with all stakeholders. We will attain this by supporting and communicating with families, respecting cultural diversity, and valuing individual values and beliefs. We believe the community around us is a valuable learning tool and by being actively involved within the community around us, we support our children’s sense of belonging.

We encourage everyone's contributions to the program and let the children guide our everyday practices.

Equity & Inclusiveness Educators are committed to providing the same opportunities for all children and believing that each child can succeed to their highest expectations. Curriculum decisions support inclusion and opportunities for all children regardless of any barriers. This will be achieved by encouraging and supporting children to participate in a broad selection of individual and group experiences, knowing each child as an individual and offering support and guidance to help further develop self-help skills and obtain a positive identity and strong sense of belonging.

Diversity We offer a diverse environment that is reflected in our program and recognize the importance's of sharing each culture and incorporating cultural diversity into our program.

We accomplish this by displaying positive responses to cultural values and plan experiences and provide resources that broaden children's knowledge. Educators encourage each child when talking, to listen and respect different ideas and show fairness and understanding of each other.

Reflective Practice NLC regularly reflects and critically reflects on all aspect of the program which is an ongoing cycle that all educators, families and children are involved in on a regular basis. All experiences, routines, daily practices within the program have evolved from questions being asked, information collected, trial and error and community input.   

Our Educators reflect on their personal pedagogy’s and practice to ensure the best learning outcomes are achieved for each child. Educators understand reflecting on their own practice regularly support our centres views of continual improvement and the importance of intentional teaching, nurturing children’s ideas, scaffolding learning and being responsive of each child’s current knowledge.

Child Safe Culture & Child Safe Standards We are committed to building a culture that is child safein all areas of our practice. We believe that children’s safety, rights and best interest are paramount consideration for all our services operations, decisions and functions. Our service ensures that child safety, wellbeing and best interests take priority over all other considerations, including financial interests or other obligations of management, and are embedded in our daily practices, policies and procedures. Continuous improvement, regular training, setting clear expectations, policies, daily practices and leaders modelling a child safe culture, enables us to protect children's safety, privacy, and dignity. Children feel safe when they have a voice in decisions made and can share their concerns and thoughts.

Being guided by the national child safe standards, child-safe practices are embedded in our daily practice, this also extends to the safe use of digital technology and online environments by following the guidelines of the National Model Code. Adhering to these standards, we foster a secure and supportive environment that protects children from potential online risks while promoting responsible digital engagement.

Child protection Here at NLC we have a zero tolerance to child abuse, and we will fulfil our duty of care obligations as mandatory reporters under the law by protecting children from any reasonable, foreseeable risk of injury or harm. We have an obligation to contact authorities ie child protection services or social services regulator under the reportable conduct scheme, for intervention for children and young people who are or maybe at risk of abuse or neglect. We will follow our policies and procedures as required as well as all staff participate in regular training All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure the child’s safety and wellbeing is paramount at all times.