Our Vision

To be the early childhood service of choice amongst families within the City of Goulburn, where all children experience holistic learning that is engaging and builds the foundation for success in life.

Our Mission

Goulburn Academy of Early Learning is committed to providing an environment that supports all members of the service to experience physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.

We are committed to providing the children and the families of our community with an environment in which they feel a sense of belonging.

We work collaboratively with our community and offer effective teaching and learning strategies that reflect best practice.

Our centre is committed to taking an active role in caring for its environment and contributing to a sustainable future. We will actively strive to embed sustainable practices through our service operations and programming; ensuring all staff and children are supported in becoming environmentally responsible and respectful carers of our natural and physical environment.

The Community

  • We acknowledge the traditional landowners on which our centre stands.
  • We encourage educators, staff and families to be positive role models for healthy choices and lifestyles.
  • We offer a high-quality educational service which engages in secure, respectful, professional and reciprocal relationships, promoting honesty, respect, care, and responsibility.
  • We value and acknowledge the diverse lifestyles of the families within the community.
  • We provide early childhood education that is universal in approach connecting mind, body and spirit.
  • We offer an inclusive approach in guiding children towards self-discipline and cooperation so they can take their place in and contribute to the community.
  • We believe in developing strong partnerships and meaningful relationships with our communities. These are based on open mindedness, honest communication, and willingness to exchange ideas.
  • We are committed to collaborating with health, education and child development professionals within the wider community to ensure best outcomes for children and families.
  • We value and utilize our space, facilities and natural outdoor learning environments.

The Children

  • We acknowledge that children learn at their own pace and learning is not always predictable and linear.
  • We have high expectations for every child and ensure they experience success in their learning.
  • We endeavour to maximise opportunities for every child.
  • We provide learning opportunities and experiences within the educational program, enabling children to gain knowledge and skills to take action to enhance health and wellbeing.
  • Our learning programs are guided by and reflect the Early Years Learning Framework and Early Years Learning and Developmental Framework.
  • We are committed to child safety and have zero tolerance for child abuse.
  • We are committed to acting in children’s best interests, keeping them safe, and actively work to empower children.

The Family

  • We acknowledge that families may be related by birth, adoption or invitation and we actively seek to develop a relationship between all families and educators.
  • We respect every child’s first language and strive to incorporate home and cultural experiences acknowledging that cultural history shapes learning and development.
  • Families are given opportunities to share their culture, language and home experiences.
  • We work with families to support their child’s learning and development at home and in the community.
  • We encourage families to become involved with the Centre and welcome participation in daily activities, decisions, events and fundraising.

The Educators

  • We employ professional educators who respect each other and work cooperatively as a team to provide a high-quality curriculum for all children.
  • As educators we engage in reflective practice and critical reflection, continually seeking new ways to build our professional knowledge.
  • We encourage positive, open and friendly interaction between educators, children the families and the wider community.
  • We see change as positive, an opportunity to grow and learn and we are committed to trying new things and encouraging alternative ideas and practices.
  • We build partnerships with local health professionals, services and the wider community to enhance health promotion capacity.
  • We actively listen to and encourage the children’s voices.
  • As educators we will be guided by the Australian Early Childhood Association code of ethics.
  • As educators we will support children to take on roles that use literacy and numeracy in their play.
  • We will provide experiences that actively promote or initiate the investigation of ideas, complex concepts, thinking and reasoning to extend children’s learning.
  • As educators we will actively facilitate collaborative partnerships with local community groups, government agencies and private companies to enhance and support children’s learning about sustainable practices. We will promote a holistic, open ended curriculum which explores ideas and practices for environmental sustainability and helps children understand the interdependence between people and the environment.
  • As educators we are committed to the rights of all children to safety, health, education and play. We believe that as Early Childhood professionals, we have the responsibility to defend children’s rights.
  • As educators we are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, the cultural safety of children from a culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability
  • We believe that educators make a large contribution to the culture of our centre, and we will work together to observe, reflect, plan, assess and learn. We will support each other in word and in action as we educate and care for the children.
  • We believe that Early Childhood is a skilled profession and will encourage all staff to seek continuing education/qualifications.