The educators at Dulwich Hill Childcare understand that the first years of a child's life are the most important. They aim to instill a love for learning with their innovative early years program and preschool program.

The program is based on the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), and the concept of ‘emergent curriculum’, with 5 key learning outcomes: 

1. Children have a strong sense of identity
2. Children are connected with and contribute to their world
3. Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
4. Children are confident and involved learners
5. Children are effective communicators. 

The programs at the centre cover the following key areas of development: 

Self: designed to assist children to understand and manage their feelings as well as identify and respond to the feelings of others. This program encourages cooperative play and builds confidence for children to explore new challenges, while guiding them to make positive choices and assisting them to reach their full potential.

Body: designed to establish healthy physical activity patterns, as good health and physical wellbeing is fundamental to a child’s ability to develop, learn and grow. 

The program focuses on fine and gross motor skills, and introduces experiences to develop hand-eye coordination, balance, strength and flexibility. The educators encourage children to develop independence and take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing.

Literacy: designed to develop strong language and literacy skills, which include letter identification, phonics, vocabulary, writing skills, pre-reading skills and an introduction to foreign languages.

Mathematics: numeracy and mathematics provides children with the opportunity to acquire numeracy skills and learn mathematical concepts, such as identifying numbers, counting with one-to-one correspondence, number value, sorting, matching and classifying different objects and shapes, patterning and sequencing. The program also focuses on science experiments that explore cause and effect as well as construction through a variety of mediums.

Creativity: provides children with the opportunity to express themselves, their ideas and their world, through a variety of different artistic mediums which include creative arts, dramatic play, music and movement.

Planet Earth: provides children with the opportunity to learn about the world and the important role and responsibility they have to care for the environment. Children learn about environmentally sustainable practices through experiences such as recycling, worm farming, composting and urban farming. The Planet Earth program assists children to notice and reflect on their interactions with the physical world.

The team at Dulwich Hill Childcare Centre are energetic, confident and passionate educators that see each educator is unique. Each person’s values, ideas, opinions and cultural beliefs are celebrated along with the cultural diversity that each educator brings. 

I believe childhood is a unique time of life, it is to be valued and enjoyed. 

Mirelle Loutfy, Director, Dulwich Hill Childcare Centre