Our Learning Environment
Since opening our doors in 2006, Cradles to Crayons Early Learning Centre has been dedicated to putting children at the heart of everything we do. With over two decades of educating and caring for our community, we have cultivated a warm, home-like environment where play-based learning is guided by your child’s unique interests and needs. Together with high-quality education and care, we create a nurturing space where young learners truly thrive.
Our Philosophy
We have lived by our philosophy for the years that we are in service.
The Child
At Cradles to Crayons, we place the child at the centre of everything we do. We view children as capable, competent, and resilient individuals who bring their own unique strengths, interests, and abilities to their learning journey. We believe children are active participants in their world, learning through meaningful engagement with their social and physical environments.
Guided by play-based learning approaches informed by theorists such as Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and Friedrich Froebel, we recognise that children learn best through play, exploration, observation, and social interaction. Through these experiences, children construct knowledge, develop independence, and build a strong sense of identity.
We uphold and advocate for the rights of the child, ensuring children have agency in their learning. Children are encouraged to make choices about their experiences, contribute to decision-making, and actively shape their learning environment.
The Family
We recognise families as children’s first and most influential teachers. At Cradles to Crayons, we value and respect the knowledge, culture, and contributions of each family, understanding that strong partnerships support children’s wellbeing, learning, and development.
We actively seek family input through enrolment processes, daily communication, questionnaires, social media, and the OWNA App. We embrace a family-centred approach that honours diverse family structures, values, and ways of being.
The Community
We value the rich diversity of our community and strive to reflect this within our curriculum, environment, and practices. We believe that connections to the broader community enhance children’s sense of belonging and understanding of the world.
Cradles to Crayons is located on Wurundjeri Country, and we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land. We are committed to embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in authentic and respectful ways. This includes fostering children’s understanding of culture, connection to land, and respect for First Nations peoples.
The Educators
Our educators are dedicated, culturally diverse professionals who work collaboratively to create a nurturing, inclusive, and respectful environment. We view our team as an extension of the family, building strong, trusting relationships with children and their families.
Inspired by theorists such as Lev Vygotsky and Loris Malaguzzi, educators act as co-learners and guides, supporting children’s learning through intentional teaching, scaffolding, and shared experiences.
The Learning Environment
We provide a safe, clean, respectful, welcoming, and supportive environment where all children feel secure, valued, and confident to explore and learn.
Our play-based learning environments are designed to be fun, engaging, and responsive to children’s interests, supporting exploration, creativity, and independence. We ensure all children are treated with compassion, respect, and equity, and are included in decision-making wherever possible.
Acknowledgement
Cradles to Crayons Early Learning Centre acknowledges and pays respect to the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which our service stands and children learn and play.
