The Grasshopper Kindergarten's philosophy is to provide a safe, friendly, caring environment, which

enables us to offer provisions for the development of the whole child and cater for the needs, interests and
differences of children, educators, families and the wider community.
The aim of our kindergarten program is to develop meaningful experiences enabling the child to learn as
they explore their own interests.
The Grasshoppers educators value the role of families by encouraging them to contribute and help evaluate
the program and centre’s policies.

We aim to offer opportunities that will encourage children’s development by:

 Belonging: - Encouraging the child to feel secure and comfortable within their surroundings, to build
confidence and self esteem and to forge relationships.
Children will develop their sense of identity through exploration, while taking into account the
physical, social, emotional, spiritual and cognitive areas.
 Being: - Recognising the importance of children’s right to be a child and experience the joy of
childhood. This involves children developing an awareness of their social and cultural heritage,
gender and their significance in the world.
All this is achieved through using the child’s interests and encouraging children to participate, in the
program planning and decision making processes.
 Becoming: - Acknowledging the growth and development that happens in the first five years of life
and the importance of nurturing each child’s wellbeing and learning, building and shaping their
identity, through evolving experiences and relationships which include change and transitions.

This is achieved by using the children’s interests and strengths to guide planning and further learning,
educators will make learning stimulating, challenging, and supportive for each child.
Our program enables us to provide quality learning experiences both planned and spontaneous and through
working in collaboration with families and children, we aim to provide quality care and education for each
child.
The Grasshopper Kindergarten - Our Goals

The Educators at The Grasshoppers Kindergarten foster each child’s self esteem by providing the
following:-
 Positive reinforcement and encouragement make learning possible
  Guidance for children to gain self help and independent skills within a framework, routines and
limits
  Indoor and outdoor experiences using a wide range of equipment and resources
  Information for parents regarding their child’s development
  Support and advice for parents and families with resources and referrals to specialist groups where  
required
  A welcome for each and every child into our centre regardless of gender, race, religion and ability 
 
The Grasshopper Kindergarten - Long Term Objectives

The children’s program at The Grasshoppers Kindergarten is designed to:-

• Provide a safe and nurturing environment that encourages the development of the whole child.
• Provide a play and educationally planned program for the development of each child.
• Recognise uniqueness and provide positive encouragement for continued growth.
• Develop a sense of respect and caring for themselves and others.
• Develop responsibility for their actions and to exercise appropriate independences.
• Develop social development by providing opportunities for sharing, taking turns, making friends, resolving
conflicts, helping others and building self-esteem.
• Encourage the physical development of gross motor skills through outdoor and indoor play, as well as fine
motor development through the use of manipulative toys, blocks and other small objects.
• Encourage creativity by offering a wide range of art materials, musical experiences, drama and language.
• Encourage development through literature, puppetry, dramatic play, music and games.