Curriculum
Cumberland Kindergarten uses the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia called ‘Belonging, Being and Becoming’. It is a national framework for children from birth to five years.
At Cumberland Kindergarten we use the Early Years Learning Framework so all children can experience play based learning that is engaging and builds success for life.
Core Values
- building and fostering strong relationships with children, families and educators and our community
- an environment where children’s learning is nurtured through play and incorporates children’s interests
- our natural environment and opportunities for children to engage with and learn through nature
Early Years Learning Framework
The Early Years Learning Framework describes childhood as a time of belonging, being and becoming.
Belonging: is the basis for living a fulfilling life. Children feel they belong because of the relationships they have with their family, community, culture and place.
Being: is about living here and now. Childhood is a special time in life and children need time to just ‘be’ – time to play, try new things and have fun.
Becoming: is about the learning and development that young children experience. Children start to form their sense of identity from an early age, which shapes the type of adult they will become.
Play is very important for children. Through play young children explore and learn to understand the world around them as they come to communicate, discover, imagine and create. When children play they are showing what they have learned and what they are trying to understand.
By working together parents and educators can enhance a child’s learning and wellbeing.
Over the last few years we have been on a journey of developing our approach in the area of Nature Play.
At Cumberland Kindy we believe that being outdoors and experiencing nature is an important aspect of our children’s day. We will provide plenty of opportunities for children to be outside and set up a range of experiences that reflect our belief in this vital aspect of children’s play. This may include water play, sand/mud play, using tools like binoculars/ magnifying glasses, observing insects and creatures, monitoring the weather, gardening, caring for our worm farm or composting, cubby building, using natural objects in play (eg. Gum nuts, seed pods, logs/sticks, rocks, etc.) and the list goes on! Nature play can be messy and wet (which is why we ask families to send spare clothes) but it is a lot of fun. Sometimes children need to be given permission to get grubby and engage with nature and reassurance to ‘have a go’.
Nature play will be a feature of our curriculum throughout the year and we will provide information for families about ways that you may continue this and support this learning at home. Our excursions (or visitors to kindy) each term generally have a nature based focus. Examples include: our annual Kuitpo Forest excursion, Adelaide Zoo, Road Safety School & Bonython Park Adventure Playground, Warriparinga wetlands, other parks and outdoor play spaces, & visiting animal programs.
Site Details
Director: Mrs Melissa Slater
Mitcham Plains Partnership
Mount Barker Education Office
