Curriculum at Monash Community Family Co-operative is guided by the  Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF), the National Quality Standard (NQS), current research and innovative practice. We value play as a vital component in a child’s learning journey and understand that play-based learning is fundamental to a child’s success.

Children engage in a variety of planned and spontaneous experiences and the educators focus on your child’s strengths using creativity and proven teaching strategies to increase motivation and enhance learning and development. The approach to curriculum is underpinned by our pedagogy of responsiveness and immersion in nature. In their multi-faceted role, the educators engage in active listening, providing pertinent resources, role modelling, scaffolding and prompting to include children in the learning process and maximise their opportunity to thrive.

Your child’s learning and development is recorded in a holistic manner and tracked in a systematic manner that focuses on the progression of the individual child’s agency and development of understanding about the world they live in. For a holistic approach to child learning and growth, the educators at MCFC employ a socio-cultural framework and include the voices of children, families and educators, making it a truly co-operative and authentic tool for teaching and learning.

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics)

Familiarity with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics)

concepts are crucial to academic success and are part of any high-quality early childhood and kindergarten education. The experiences offered to your child at MCFC to develop early STEAM concepts are age appropriate and child centred. Early STEAM education prepares children to be critical, creative and innovative thinkers as they use mind and hands to create, explore and investigate. The Early Childhood Teachers and educators observe opportunities for developing aspects of STEAM within the context or interest displayed by children. Through intentional teaching they explore these concepts and make it an integral part of the program. For example, a topic of interest is explored through books, information and communication technology, games etc, which also develop literacy, numeracy and scientific skills among others.

Our program is rated by ACECQA as Exceeding Quality Standards. 

MCFC has children from a range of backgrounds and family structures and we unequivocally support the inclusion of all children (e.g. English as a second language, those with additional needs and/or disability, religious and cultural diversity, LGBTQI+ and more). We can assist parents in their child's environment, and provide access to support services to ensure an inclusive environment for their child and their peers. Children are exposed to an environment that is rich in language and dialects which merges with developing literacy skills that supports children in their everyday life and educational journey.

Your child’s wellbeing is paramount and we work with the children to develop emotional resilience and grow to believe in themselves to thrive in the world around them. The ability to express oneself is given priority as it is a crucial enabler to learning and development. We recognise individual capabilities and strengths of each child and acknowledge, foster and respect their uniqueness. The learning program caters to individual learning styles and supports a variety of dispositions. A coordinated blended approach to education is taken to provide ample learning opportunities to understand and support children’s unique learning and engagement styles. Incursions and excursions complement the educational program enriching the learning journey.

If there are any aspects of your family that you would like to share and celebrate with the other children, do not hesitate to let our educators know.

Our extensive outdoor environment is a natural classroom that ensures plentiful access to all that is offered by nature. Immersed in unstructured play, your child can play in sand and mud, splash in puddles, balance on logs and rocks, grow and care for plants, and so much more. Children enjoy the physical, social and sensory benefits of the outdoors and develop independence and engage in healthy risk-taking and problem-solving skills, making them confident in nature which in turn fosters a deeper and more sustainable relationship with our natural world. With the ongoing pandemic and community health and safety at front of mind, MCFC is well positioned to respond to superior air flow, natural light, large open doors, and more than enough space to roam around.

Our indoor learning spaces are modern and clean with soothing natural colours and child-centric furnishings to create a tranquil and inviting environment. The evidence-based provocations set up in the learning spaces encourage constructive learning, imaginative play, and embolden social skills and an ‘I can’ attitude. A perfect balance is maintained to encourage investigation and exploration through purposeful interaction. Through our well-organised, integrated indoor and outdoor learning environment we strive to enrich and provoke children’s interests and dispositions and empower them to become intrinsically motivated learners.

Our relationship with families begins from the very first time you visit our centre, or seek information from our fantastic leadership team. Children are central to everything we do at MCFC, and we identify the importance of your role in their life and the curiosity and knowledge you bring to us. By providing a safe, clean and comfortable environment we aim to establish a sense of belonging.

At MCFC we believe your child can be best supported when educational experiences are connected to their home experiences. A strong partnership is one where the child and family voice is included, not one where information is simply relayed to the parents. Based on a cultural historical approach, it is vital to understand children’s existing strengths and their learning experiences at home and in the community to work towards educational and learning goals. Involving families in discussions about the child’s learning and development enables families to contribute to future learning and maintain continuity over time (VEYLDF, 2016). This partnership is valued and maintained throughout your journey with us.

Family members and caregivers of children attending the centre are encouraged to get involved through working groups, educational support, busy bees, or to be a part of the Committee of Management. Family members are also encouraged to support the centre using any particular skills they wish to contribute.

Monash Community Family Co-operative has zero-tolerance for child abuse and all members of the team are fully committed to acting in your child’s best interests and keeping them safe from harm. We unequivocally support and abide by the Child Safety Code of Conduct.

Orientation & Familiarisation

Orientation/familiarisation sessions are offered to families and children to support transitions into the centre for the first time, and for children changing rooms in the new year. To ease transitions, conversations between educators and families is critical so that the needs of the individual child and of families are met and best care is provided during these pivotal times.

Our aim is for a seamless transition, and it is for this reason that we work closely with you, gathering information and preparing ourselves to meet your child’s requirements and comfort. The above ratio staffing guarantees that your child’s needs are met and their individual routines are maintained. This consistency in routines cushions your child from other unexpected changes and soothes them amidst big changes. We encourage you to spend time with your child in the room and get to know us so that any feeling of uncertainty is alleviated. We also welcome calls from you to check on your little ones especially during the initial settling period so that you both feel relaxed and comfortable. 

Transitioning to school is a significant part of a family’s and child’s life. The programs planned and experiences offered during the preschool years greatly affects the outcomes for children during the transition and initial adjustment to school life. Our Early Childhood Teachers value and understand the diversity and complexity of transitions, and are experts at monitoring children’s well-being and providing support at all times. Their knowledge of your individual child aids with planning the appropriate educational programs, and through experiences and collaboration with schools and families, your child is supported for the transition to school. Our kindergarten programs not only focus on academic skills, they also aim to enable children to cope with changes to their identity and position through the transitioning process so that they have the best chance of success in school.