Here at Marong Kindergarten we acknowledge that we are located on Dja Dja Wurrung land and strive to embed respect for and understanding of the heritage and culture of our First Nations People. Our philosophy is based on our belief that early childhood is a very special time in a child’s life. We strive to provide a warm, secure inclusive environment where children are able to develop independence, resilience and high self-esteem and their skills, abilities and culture are respected. We value and encourage contributions to our program from parents, staff, children and the community. Parents are their children’s first and most influential teachers working together in partnership we can achieve the best outcomes for each child and family.

We are a community kindergarten with a strong focus on the use of both natural and open- ended materials including loose parts and real tools. We believe children learn best through play. We value outdoor play for the influence it has on children’s overall skill development, wellbeing and their connection to nature. We are committed to spending time in the natural outdoor environment because we know the positive impact it has on children now and throughout their lives. Learning to assess risks is a vital skill for life so we encourage children to self-assess risk in all aspects of the program.

Our programs are based on the Victorian Early Years Framework and National document Belonging, Being and Becoming and catering to all aspects of children’s development. We recognise that the Practice Principles are key to achieving the best outcomes for each child. Programs are planned according to the needs and interests of the children and ongoing planning; evaluation and reflection are a continuous cycle. We seek to empower children through the use of their thoughts and ideas in the program and we incorporate their voice in all documentation.

We are early childhood professionals who endeavor to improve our practice and knowledge consistently through ongoing reflection of our day-to-day program and professional development programs which is reflected in our philosophy that educators and children are life-long learning.