Our Curriculum

At Victor Harbor Childcare and Education Centre, we follow a play-based approach guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). We believe that play is not just fun – it’s the foundation for deep, meaningful learning.

 Through play, children explore, experiment, create, and discover the world around them. Our educators provide time, space, and encouragement for children to follow their interests, ask questions, and find joy in learning. This helps each child grow into a confident, capable learner with a strong sense of identity and belonging.

 Our thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor environments invite open-ended exploration and imagination. Our curriculum and routines are intentionally designed to encourage open-ended exploration, curiosity, and connection with others.  We also use play to introduce early literacy and numeracy concepts in authentic, engaging ways – through storytelling, dramatic play, construction, and everyday communication.

 Play-based learning supports the development of important learning dispositions – the attitudes and behaviours that shape how children approach learning.  These include curiosity, creativity, persistence, confidence, cooperation, and resilience.

 Dispositions are not something children are born with; they are developed over time through play, relationships, and everyday experiences.  Each moment of exploration or collaboration helps children build the foundations for how they will learn and respond to the world around them.

 They help children become motivated, capable, and adaptable individuals – not just in school, but throughout life. A curious and confident child today is more likely to become a creative, independent thinker tomorrow.

Guided by Expertise, Grounded in Play

At Victor Harbor Childcare and Education Centre, our play-based curriculum is thoughtfully designed and led by our qualified Early Childhood Teacher, providing a strong foundation for every child’s development and lifelong learning.

Using professional knowledge and understanding of child development, our teacher creates engaging, intentional learning experiences that are both developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive. These experiences are not incidental — they are carefully planned and scaffolded to support children’s thinking, creativity, communication, and social and emotional growth.

Our approach is closely aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and its five key Learning Outcomes. Through guided, meaningful play, children are supported to:

• Develop a strong sense of identity (Outcome 1)
  They feel safe, secure, and confident in who they are, building self-esteem and independence.
• Connect with and contribute to their world (Outcome 2)
  They learn to build respectful relationships, understand fairness, and engage with their community and environment.
• Develop a strong sense of wellbeing (Outcome 3)
  Children are supported to develop physical health, self-regulation, and emotional resilience.
• Become confident and involved learners (Outcome 4)
  They explore, experiment, problem-solve, and show curiosity and persistence in their learning.
• Become effective communicators (Outcome 5)
  Through play, conversation, storytelling, music, and creative expression, children build strong language and literacy skills.

At Victor Harbor Childcare and Education Centre, we believe that combining expert-led teaching with the natural power of play gives children the best possible start. Our curriculum not only prepares children for school — it sets them up for a lifetime of learning, confidence, and connection.

Building Confident, Capable Learners for Life

At Victor Harbor Childcare and Education Centre, our school readiness program supports every child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. We believe school readiness is not about ticking off academic milestones — it’s about building the skills, dispositions, and confidence children need to successfully transition into school and beyond.

We focus on helping children develop the ability to form relationships, regulate their emotions, follow routines, solve problems, and approach learning with curiosity and resilience. These are the foundations for success in a school environment — and for lifelong learning.

Our approach is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), which encourages educators to support school readiness through a holistic, strengths-based, and play-rich environment. By nurturing each child’s identity, agency, wellbeing, and sense of belonging, we lay the groundwork for a positive start to school life.

We also recognise the importance of strong partnerships with families. By working closely with you, we ensure your child’s unique learning journey is understood, supported, and celebrated — every step of the way.

School readiness isn’t just about the first day of school. It’s about giving children the tools and mindset they need to thrive in new environments, embrace challenges, and continue growing as confident, capable learners.