The rights and best interests of the child underpin all aspects of practice at GPK. Their safety, health, and wellbeing are paramount. Each child’s voice is respected without discrimination or bias.

Our values align with the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child. Children have the right to be heard, to be free from violence, abuse, and neglect, to have the opportunity to thrive, to be engaged in civics and citizenship, and opportunities to act and be accountable. Our child focused approach takes action to promote child wellbeing and prevent harm to children and young people in all aspects of GPK’s operation, at every level. We focus on taking a holistic approach to learning and development. We recognise that a child’s mind and body are intertwined, and a balanced approach is vital to overall learning, development, and wellbeing success.

 

Children are viewed as successful, competent, and capable learners who are given play-based opportunities. Intentionality underpins the meaningful implementation of our learning experiences.

GPK supports a child’s agency, their capacity to initiate and lead learning, and their rights to participate in decisions that affect them. We recognise that learning occurs in social contexts. We believe that through play opportunities children engage in plan making, create characters, solve problems, develop self-awareness, and learn the skills of socialisation, negotiation and how to communicate with others. Our routine focuses on meaningful rituals and routines.

 

Equity, inclusion, and diversity are embedded in everyday practice at GPK. Children are given every opportunity to succeed, and their diverse circumstances, cultural background, and abilities are respected and valued.

GPK believes every child has the capacity and right to succeed regardless of diverse circumstances, cultural background, and ability. Our educators hold high expectations for the learning, development, and wellbeing of all children, recognising that every child treads an individual learning path and will progress in different and equally meaningful ways.

In recognising each child’s experience of learning and development, educators at GPK work holistically to implement a wraparound approach to achieve learning and developmental success. We are responsive, equitable, take individualised opportunities, provide additional support and reasonable adjustments if barriers to success are identified.

 

GPK acknowledges, respects and values Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

At GPK we strive to advance Reconciliation. We appreciate Australia as a nation of great diversity, an ancient land that has been cared for by Indigenous Australians for many thousands of years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are embedded in our everyday practice. We see our Preschool as a culturally safe place where Western and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems work side by side. We have a shared responsibility within our community to contribute to building a better society and sustainable environment. We support our children and families to be environmentally responsible, supporting children, families, colleagues, and the local community to understand, respect, and value diversity and reconciliation.

 

GPK respectfully engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to explore and collaborate on how to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives when planning and implementing the curriculum. We challenge stereotyping and bias. We endeavour to find sensitive and respectful ways to negotiate tension between the local context and the broader contexts of Australian society.

 

GPK values each child in the context of their family. Trusting, supportive relationships, and collaborative partnerships are developed and maintained with families.

GPK acknowledges and respects families as a child’s first and most influential teachers. We actively seek out partnerships and develop secure respectful relationships to ensure that families are informed, consulted, and supported regarding their child’s learning, development, and wellbeing.

 

Management, team members and educators are dedicated to quality outcomes for all children at GPK. We are professional, committed to lifelong learning, skilled, knowledgeable, reflective, and collaborative.

Continuous improvement, best practice and quality outcomes underpin GPK’s everyday curriculum delivery. Current research, theories and understandings are considered and applied in the context of GPK, through a process of ongoing critical reflection.