CURRICULUM AT LITTLE GEMS EARLY LEARNING HELENSVALE

Click here to read our Education, Curriculum and Learning Policy.

Little Gems Early Learning & Childcare, Helensvale, aims to provide an enriching curriculum that extends and enriches children’s learning. The Early Years Learning Framework says that a curriculum is – “all the interactions, experiences, activities, routines and events, planned and unplanned, that occur in the environment designed to foster children’s learning and development” (source – EYLF document, pg 9). Our curriculum encompasses all of this and much more. We collaborate with families, guide children’s learning and extend on the children’s own interpretations and imaginary play. This is a continuing process of collecting evidence and information, identifying the development of learning and reflecting upon our daily practices.
Little Gems learning stories are designed to encourage children to be actively involved in their own learning process. This will enable them to experience a variety of developmentally appropriate activities. The learning stories are displayed daily and weekly for all parents to see, each child also has their own learning journal that is available online for parents, caregivers and families to see.

Little Gems offers a Queensland Government approved Kindergarten Program. The program offers parents and children a program that enriches and fosters their learning whilst still having the flexibility of days and hours to suit each families requirements.
The Kindergarten Program:

• Implemented and run by a University Qualified Early Childhood Teacher
• Curriculum is based on the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines
• Program offered is for a minimum of 15 hours per week. We run our program for 48 weeks of the year.
• Provides greater flexibility for families, as the centre operates 52 weeks a year from 6.30am to 6.30pm
• Kindergarten program runs from 8:30am – 3:30pm each day

For more information on the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines, please click here
Please see our centre director or early childhood teacher for more information in regards to our current curriculum and learning outcomes.

At Little Gems Helensvale we believe that we are an extension of each child’s family. We achieve this
by building trusting, respectful and secure relationships. We aim to create bonds and connections
with each child, family and Educators. Listening to their thoughts, feelings and needs and responding
to these with warmth, understanding, compassion and empathy enables us to create an
environment that conveys a sense of belonging, love and security. We believe that when a child
develops connections and feels safe and secure in their environment, they will develop confidence
to engage in learning, self-esteem and a positive self-identity.
We value family and community involvement as this allows us to connect directly with the child’s
life, which then allows them to feel comfortable and confident to try new things, grow and develop
to their full potential. We value open communication with families and work to build strong
partnerships with families by providing daily feedback on their child’s day, providing support and
valuing their input and knowledge.
We aim to create environments which stimulate curiosity, enthusiasm for learning and wonder. We
believe it is important to allow children time to learn through play. We aim to create a relaxed
environment where children are challenged and encouraged to work towards their individual
successes. Play based learning allows children to build meaningful friendships, discover, investigate,
explore, problem solve, imagine, improvise and make mistakes. Child led play encourages children’s
imaginations, allowing them to come up with their own ideas, solve problems, improve social
relationships, and build a sense of belonging. A safe and challenging environment is provided where
educators are active participants. We believe that each day in a child’s life is an opportunity to learn
something new.
We view risky play as a crucial element towards the development of children’s social and emotional
skills along with critical thinking skills. These include skills such as comparing and contrasting,
explaining why things happen, evaluating ideas and forming opinions, understanding the
perspectives of others, predicting what will happen in the future and thinking of creative solutions to
overcome obstacles. Educators identify risky play experiences and work to facilitate child
engagement by asking questions which stimulates reflection on their own decisions around their
own safety and wellbeing. We value play that stimulates sensory investigation, promotes creativity
and encourages active hands-on investigation. Our goal is to promote process based learning, and
children are encouraged to engage in play that inspires, excites, and elicits joy. We recognise that
creativity, investigation and play can be messy, and encourage children to delight in the moment,
even if that is messy.
LITTLE GEMS CENTRE PHILOSOPHY- Continued Children are unique individuals with different
interests, strengths and abilities. We embrace the diverse cultures, needs and backgrounds of or
families. We acknowledge the Indigenous history of the land on which our centre resides, and
consistently work to create practices and pedagogy that reflect the values of the local Yugambeh
language region as well as collaborating with indigenous families, stakeholders and community
members to ensure we embed practices that reflect their values and perspectives. An inclusive and
holistic approach is taken to ensure that learning is organic, whole child focused and integrated
across the curriculum. Children learn in their own time, at their own pace and in their own way.
At Little Gems we view children as active participants in their learning and set high expectations for
each child. We observe, listen and determine what level of educator participation is required. Our
programs are tailored to the individual needs, levels and interests of each child. Whilst playing and

learning together educators use intentional teaching methods by encouraging, questioning,
extending and reflecting on experiences shared. We will scaffold the development and education of
each child as an individual who is able to develop their own identity and qualities, but still contribute
and interact within a large group. In our opinion the process is more important than the product.
We believe that all children have the right to achieve their full potential and to support this we
implement the Abecedarian Approach into our curriculum. This ensures that language acquisition
and relationships between educators, children and their peers are supported.
At Little Gems we know the importance of being outside in nature investigating and exploring. We
aim to help children develop a love of nature and the environment and use natural materials and
sustainable practices wherever possible. Our outdoor and indoor areas engage children in
experiences which promote play and learning by stimulating the senses. We aim to educate the
children, families and educators on the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling.
Our door is always open and we look forward to working in partnership with you and watching your
children grow and develop.