Nurturing Curiosity, Inspiring Growth, Building Community

At Cottage Kids Community Preschool, we provide a warm, inclusive and engaging environment where every child is known, valued and supported to thrive. We see children as active, capable and curious learners, and we partner with families to nurture a strong sense of belonging and confidence for life.

Our learning approach
Our program is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF v2.0) and the National Quality Framework (NQF). This means our curriculum is planned, documented and reviewed through a clear cycle of observing children’s learning, planning meaningful experiences, reflecting on what worked, and improving practice over time.
We support children to grow across the EYLF Learning Outcomes:

• Identity – feeling safe, secure and confident.
• Community – connecting with and contributing to their world.
• Wellbeing – building physical health, emotional resilience and self-regulation.
• Learning – developing confidence, curiosity and persistence.
• Communication – expressing ideas, listening, and using many ways to communicate.

How children learn at Cottage Kids
Play-based and child-led learning: Play is how young children make sense of the world. Educators follow children’s interests and extend learning through carefully planned experiences.
Intentional teaching and guided discovery: Educators use warm interactions, thoughtful questions and scaffolding to deepen children’s thinking, language and problem-solving.
Hands-on, nature-based experiences: We prioritise outdoor learning, real materials, gardening and sustainability practices to build connection to nature and environmental responsibility.
Risk, challenge and resilience: We provide developmentally appropriate opportunities for adventurous play, helping children build confidence, coordination, judgment and persistence in a safe, supported way.

Respectful relationships, inclusion and children’s rights
We uphold the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children have the right to be safe, heard and respected. We build trusting relationships, so children feel secure to explore, take on challenges and share their ideas.

• We celebrate diversity and welcome children and families of all backgrounds, abilities and identities.
• We work to remove barriers to participation so every child can access meaningful learning.
• We collaborate with families, Allied Health Professionals and inclusion support agencies when extra support is needed.
• We are committed to culturally safe practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

We acknowledge the Darkinjung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our preschool is located and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are thoughtfully embedded in our everyday program & environment and captured within our active RAP - Reconciliation Action Plan.

Health, safety and wellbeing
Children’s safety and wellbeing are at the centre of everything we do. Our environments are designed and maintained to be safe, accessible and engaging, with clear supervision and routines that support children to feel secure.

• Educators are trained in first aid, CPR and child protection, and follow required emergency and safeguarding procedures.
• We maintain strong hygiene and illness management practices to reduce infection and support children’s health.
• We uphold child safe standards and mandatory reporting obligations as part of our safeguarding approach.
• Digital safety and privacy are protected through secure platforms and consent-based documentation.

We support healthy lifestyles through the Munch & Move approach, daily active play, and nutritional education. Meals are prepared onsite and planned to support balanced nutrition, including dietary requirements.

Partnerships with families and community
Families are children’s first and most important teachers. We value respectful, two-way communication and work alongside families to support each child’s learning, wellbeing and identity.

• We share children’s learning and welcome family input to guide planning and goals.
• We support smooth transitions, between home and preschool, within the service, and into primary education, through consistent routines and strong relationships.
• We connect with local community services, cultural consultants and agencies to enrich children’s experiences and strengthen belonging.

Our team and continuous improvement
Our educators are skilled, caring professionals. We strengthen quality through ongoing professional development, reflective practice and commitment to continuous improvement. Family, staff and children’s voices help shape how we grow as a service.

Our commitment
We aim to prepare children for lifelong learning by nurturing curiosity, creativity and confidence. By living our values of respect, inclusion, collaboration and empathy, we build a supportive community where children and families feel connected and where every child can flourish.

Last reviewed by Cottage Kids Community Stakeholders Dec 2025