Our Approach

St Peter’s Early Learning programs blend the best of theory and practice, taking significant inspiration from the Reggio Emilia Approach to early childhood education.

Widely recognised as best practice in early childhood education, the Reggio Emilia Approach offers an education that respects children and acknowledges their rights as citizens from birth. Teachers purposefully document children’s learning processes within the group, making the it visible and shaping the subsequent learning.

We view each child as competent, capable, and full of potential; an active participant of their own learning journey. Children are encouraged to explore their interests, engage in discussions, and develop essential skills in problem-solving, hypothesizing, critical reflection, and collaboration. We design engaging learning environments that promote inquiry, seamlessly integrating literacy, numeracy, and more into daily experiences.

Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emilia Approach, described that children have a Hundred Languages with which to express themselves and their understandings. These languages include: drawing, sculpture, dramatic play, dance, music, imagination, construction and many, many more. The Hundred Languages is a pedagogical approach that fosters concept development and deepens understanding, serving as a framework for structuring knowledge and organising learning.

Our Framework

At St Peter’s ELC, our programs are informed by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) which provides a broad direction for our ELC educators to facilitate children’s learning.

The VEYLDF sets out outcomes and practices which informs early childhood professionals in their work with all families and their young children from birth. The vision and purpose of the VEYLDF is to guide early childhood professionals in a collective effort with families toward the achievement of the nationally agreed Early Years Learning Outcomes.

The five learning and development outcomes identified for all children in the VEYLDF are:

• Children have a strong sense of identity
• Children are connected with and contribute to their world
• Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
• Children are confident and involved learners
• Children are effective communicators.

Specialist Program

All children at St Peter’s ELC participate in a specialist program throughout the week. From Tuesday to Thursday the children engage with a specialist teacher, exploring music and movement, creative arts, physical education and library.

• Music and Movement: Children explore musical concepts, styles and instruments through interactive experiences such as singing, dancing, and rhythm exercises.

• Creative Arts: Children explore painting, drawing, sculpting, and construction, allowing them to experiment with colours, textures, and materials nurturing their creativity and interests.

• Busy Bodies: This program promotes active play through a variety of engaging group activities, focusing on fundamental skills such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, and balancing.

• Library: Children have the opportunity to borrow from a diverse collection of picture books that interest them. Storytime sessions are a highlight of our library experience, where we read aloud and discuss various stories, promoting language development and comprehension.