Our Program | Woden Valley Child Care Centre

Our Program & Curriculum

Woden Valley ELC provides a solid foundation for children's future academic and social success while also fostering their natural curiosity, creativity, and love of learning. Our curriculum has been developed by our Pedagogical Leaders and is led by current research and many years of experience and practical knowledge. Our Pedagogical Approach encompasses a wide range of factors, including the goals and objectives of early childhood education, the role of both teacher and student, the role of families and community, how we deliver our program intentions while being aware of the diverse needs and interests of learners, and the assessment of learning outcomes. We also have a strong commitment to creating learning environments that reflects our journey of Reconciliation as we continue to respect Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island ways of knowing and being, and acknowledge we are teaching and learning on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country.

Whether your child is an “Early Engager” (infant), an “Early Explorer” (toddler), an “Intentional Investigator” (junior preschool), or an “Agentic Learner” (preschool), the team of exceptional Educators will work with your family to create opportunities for your child to thrive.

At Woden Valley ELC, our program is designed to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports the diverse needs, interests, and developmental pathways for all our learners. Our natural environments provide opportunities to connect with Country and enhance our ecological literacy as we discover ways to nourish our minds and bodies while taking care of the Land and animals.

Combining responsive language and play-based approaches to learning, our experienced and qualified Teachers and Educators collaboratively develop learning provocations that use a variety of teaching strategies and tools to engage children and provide opportunities for them to explore, experiment, and discover. We also encourage parent involvement and maintain open communication to ensure that we are meeting the needs and expectations of families.

After many years of developing curriculums and programs, our Lead Pedagogical Leader Tracey has created a program that focuses on where we are right now, and where we want to go. Using the Early Years Learning Framework as the foundation and then including Dr Laura Jana’s theory of “QI Skills”, Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligence, The Abecedarian Approach, and other key learning theoretical understandings to guide our research and critical reflections, ECHO was created to support Educators and children to be present and value mindfulness to holistically learn in ways that work best for the individual.

E: Engaged Learning – ME skills and WE skills

C: Capability and Capacity – WHY, WILL & WIGGLE skills

H: Holistic Approaches – WOBBLE skills

O: Open-ended Opportunities – WHAT IF skills

Woden Valley ELC choose to build our program delivery over term periods in line with ACT School Terms. The main reason for this is that children who attend our Centre, typically will be there for 50wks a year unless their families choose to take them out for a holiday/home day, and it is unrealistic to expect constant learning processes without a break – like that of school. It is important to stop and ‘just have fun’ once in a while and this is what our holiday program is all about.

Each day is dedicated to a different theme and the teams will program various provocations around this. For example, it may be “Ready…Steady…GO!” and the day is all about time, speed, and physical challenges. Or, “Messy Day” where the children and Educators engage in many different types of messy play. The themes are decided upon with the children through conversations or by observing current interests.

NB: Woden Valley ELC Holiday Programs are only available for children currently booked into permanent care arrangements. Additional days can be requested due to availability.

January and December are very important for the children’s and Educator’s well-being. We acknowledge that these times can bring big feelings and therefore we take the approach to program and plan opportunities for children to express themselves in the ways they need to, provide time and space to regulate their emotions and ensure that their Educators are available to them.

In January, typically, we have many new children and current children engaging in transitions and orientations which can lead to big emotions like stress and anxiety. The children who are transitioning through the centre may be leaving the Educator they are most connected to and must learn new routines and rituals. Children who are orientating may be leaving their family for the first time. Therefore, January is all about Partnerships and Relationships. We take the time get to know you and your child and build a sense of safety and security.

In December, we see a lot of over stimulation which can lead to changes in behaviour that typically you may not see through the year. The shopping centres are full of decorations, end of year celebrations are occurring, transitions to school and preschool bring excitement but in trepidation for change and then children come to Woden Valley ELC where they are safe and know what to expect and sometimes just can’t control what comes out. In December we program and plan for Wellness and Wellbeing. We slow it down, provide spaces to rest and relaxation and use sensory provocations as ways to self-regulate.

Our Program & Curriculum

Curriculum in action