About Bright Beginnings

Centre Philosophy

Bright Beginnings Maitland is an established Educational Service within the heart of the Maitland Community. The service is strongly advocate for a child’s right to play and believes in equal opportunity and access for children to Early Years Education. While based within an urban area of the community, our service reinforces the importance of community and connection with nature and the world. We strive to innovate and base our practices on relevant Early Childhood Theories. 

Our service prides itself by recognizing that families are a child’s first and most influential teacher, that child learn through play and that services needs to reflect and support its community and families. Our philosophical approach to teaching is reflected in our implemented practice, through our welcoming play spaces, approachable dedicated staff and active participation within the Maitland community. 

"Setting the Gold Standard for Early Years Education”

A Child’s First and Most Influential Teacher

The earliest and most influential teachers in children’s lives are their families. We recognise the vital role that parents play in nurturing and guiding children as they grow & develop their sense of being.

At Bright Beginnings, we aim to continue this throughout our everyday practice and are able to do this by our holistic approach and professional understanding of developmental theorists such as; John Bowlby and Erik Erikson. Respectful and positive relationships REG 156.

About Bright Beginnings | bright beginnings
About Bright Beginnings | bright beginnings

Let Them Play

Our environment at Bright Beginnings is vibrant, inclusive and designed with flexible spaces that were built to provoke interest, promote competence and independent exploration and learning through play. (Standard 3.2) We believe children must take appropriate risks with their learning to give them independence and confidence when adventuring into a new world of play and development, inviting open ended interactions, spontaneity, risk taking, exploration, discovery and connection with nature. (EYLF pp15-16) We have a professional commitment to sustainability and incorporate this into all aspects of our daily routine with the children. Educators are here to foster children’s individual learning and embrace their unique personalities.

Educational Program

Bright Beginnings Maitland is on the cutting edge of Early Childhood Education, continuously searching for ways to innovate, grow and improve learning outcomes for children. We recognise the importance of facilitating play for children and ensure that the ideas, interests, culture and abilities of children are central to our Educational Program. We believe in quality over quantity, recognising and highlighting the significant learning of each child and enhancing their natural curiosity and independence through an inclusive learning environment, community participation and access to qualified Early Childhood Professionals.

School Readiness Program

Our strong community ties have permitted our service to grow close connections with local schools to smooth the transition between Early Years Education Services and formal Education settings, with transition to school programs working collaboratively between our service and your child’s local school. Our school readiness program is formulated from direct consultation with local Primary Schools and Kindergarten Teachers making sure that our program continues to set your child up for success.

Healthy & Active

You can’t learn on an empty stomach, as such we provide access to nutritionally balanced meals for all children, ensuring that they have the energy to play, explore and grow. By teaching healthy ways of being we prepare children with the knowledge and skills to make informed choices about their health and wellbeing. This is a wonderful way to prepare children with adequate knowledge and skills to live a happy and healthy life and make informed choices as an adult. (Standard 2.2)

Discovering Natures Fragility

 

Maitland continues to grow and develop as a city, and with that growth and development it is easy to lose touch with nature. As such Bright Beginnings takes the time to include nature and the natural environment throughout the service and its experiences. Nature by design is grounding, it promotes an appreciation of the natural environment, respect for its design and provides a space that reduces anxiety while promoting creativity, discovery and resilience in all forms. 

We have natural materials throughout the indoor and outdoor environments, boasting trees, plants, garden beds, flowers and shrubbery. Where our service cannot physically provide; we meet, through excursions into the natural environment, supporting and exploring the community, its parks, buildings, libraries and local green spaces. We do our part, by engaging with local initiatives to promote the continued care for the natural environment and by its extension our local community.  

Furthermore, Educators foster an appreciation of the natural environment developing environmental awareness providing a platform for ongoing environmental education. (EYLF Outcome 2 NQS QA3.2 3.3.1 3.3.2)

About Bright Beginnings | bright beginnings

Our Broader Community

Connections with wider community, advocating for children rights to be active citizens whom contribute to society promoting shared aspirations for children’s learning, health and wellbeing. (Partnerships with families’ collaborative REGS 4.6) By Working together to sustain excellence practice through continuous improvement and comprehensive forward planning. We strive to engage and involve families and the community on the professions discussion about quality, and what is important in education and care. We will continue to promote and reinforce the value of education and care.

Our ‘Brightmites’ are supported to get out into the community and participate through initiatives, programs and experiences. We advocate for children to be active within their community and recognise their place within it. We have strong collaborative partnerships with primary schools and aged care services, working together to provide a well-rounded educational perspective for the children within our care. Together the Bright Beginnings Community searches for ways to continuously improve, engaging with local experts, families and services to reinforce your child’s understanding of their importance within the community as a whole. 

We invite you to join our Service and journey with your child, our Educators and our ever growing community. The Early Years are everything, blink and you’ll miss it, be apart of the Bright Beginnings family and ensure your child’s future is a bright one.