Our philosophy
Developing the child’s dormant mind for education and life.
Darwin Montessori Early Learning Centre, 2016
At Darwin Montessori Early Learning Centre, we offer more than an education; we provide a foundation for a lifetime of learning. Our educational philosophy follows the principles and practices of Dr. Maria Montessori and seamlessly aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), encompassing all its principles, practices, and learning outcomes.
Darwin Montessori Philosophy
Cultural diversity is at the core of our philosophy, reflecting Dr. Montessori’s ideals. We celebrate and respect differences, encompassing languages, diverse learning approaches, economic backgrounds, cultural heritage, gender, sexuality, and family structures. This cultural awareness cultivates appreciation and respect within our educational community.
Inclusivity lies at the heart of our practice. Every child, regardless of ability, culture, or differences, is provided equal opportunities. Our strategies centre on individual strengths, cultural backgrounds, and available resources, ensuring every child’s full participation and sense of belonging.
We respect and uphold every child’s rights. This fundamental belief ensures that each child is treated with dignity and respect, receives a high-quality education tailored to their unique needs, is provided a safe and nurturing environment, and is encouraged to play, explore, and express themselves freely. We recognise the child as a rights holder, and this principle informs all aspects of our early childhood education, fostering their holistic development and wellbeing.
We hold a strong commitment to collaborative partnerships with families, recognising them as the first and most influential teachers. Families actively participate in decision-making concerning their child’s learning, growth, and wellbeing, integrating family celebrations and customs into our curriculum.
Community engagement is paramount, aligning with Dr. Montessori’s emphasis on the external environment. We leverage the child’s funds of knowledge, enriching experiences through community involvement. Positive connections with community organisations enhance our programs. Our commitment to sustainability echoes Dr. Montessori’s focus on nurturing the natural environment. We instill environmental awareness, promote waste reduction, respect all living beings, nurture global consciousness, and engage with the community to protect our planet.
In essence, our philosophy at Darwin Montessori Early Learning Centre is a harmonious fusion of Montessori principles and our core beliefs in cultural diversity, inclusive practice, collaborative partnerships, community engagement, learning environments, child-centred approaches, and sustainability. This philosophy guides our daily practices, and seeks to establish a supportive learning environment that bridges the connection between each child’s home, the centre, and the wider community to provide a complete early childhood education and care program that prepares them for a diverse, sustainable, and ever-evolving future.
Our Practice
Dr. Montessori keenly observed that a child’s mind is like a sponge, eagerly absorbing knowledge during sensitive periods. To tap into this remarkable potential, we have meticulously designed a Montessori environment that empowers children to make choices within defined boundaries. Here, learning happens through hands-on activities, nurturing vital life skills such as concentration, independence, respect, self-discipline, and responsibility. We firmly believe that concentration is the cornerstone of success.
Our Montessori materials are thoughtfully arranged on child-sized open shelves, providing opportunities for both group and one-on-one learning. Children autonomously select activities aligned with the Montessori curriculum. Each material is unique, emphasising virtues like sharing, patience, and taking turns. These self-correcting materials empower children to tackle challenges independently, nurturing problem-solving, critical thinking, and cognitive skills while strengthening self-confidence. Our prepared Montessori environment encompasses five distinct areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Cultural. Each day, children actively engage in these areas, fostering independence.
Emphasising a positive reading culture, our mini library is a treasure accessible to all children daily. We hold a profound belief in the key role of educator-child relationships and parent-child relationships in a child’s development.
We highly value reflective practice as a tool for fostering continuous learning. We actively seek opportunities to build our professional knowledge. Through reflection we gain insights to support, inform and enrich decision making about children’s learning.
