Our Play-Based Early Learning Philosophy

Nurturing growth through play, partnership and shared values in Picton

Every belief we hold shapes how we act, and every action is visible in the experience children and families have each day at Footsteps By Faith.

Every Child is Capable

We see every child as a capable, competent individual who deserves to feel safe, heard and respected. Our practice starts from each child's strengths and is grounded in warm, responsive relationships that shape who they become.

We believe all children are capable and competent, so we plan from goals and strengths, offer choice and support. You'll see child choice and inclusive environments.

We believe all children should feel safe, heard and respected, so we use warm, predictable and responsive interactions. You'll see warm hellos, calm spaces and problem-solving chats.

We believe children are shaped by the environments they grow up in and the people who guide them, so we shape spaces carefully, through respectful interactions and inclusivity. You'll see warm, positive interactions, and authentic relationships between the service, its children and their families.

Safe & Inclusive Spaces

We create environments that are nurturing, inclusive and safe for every child. Through thoughtful design and robust policies, we ensure all children can participate, belong and thrive — regardless of background or ability.

We believe in safeguarding children with policies and procedures that protect children's privacy, so we are mindful of private spaces to communicate and share on a need-to-know basis. You'll see locked down devices and limited access to sensitive information.

We believe in creating nurturing environments, so we set up calm, rich and responsive spaces. You'll see natural lighting and sensory options.

We believe in all environments being inclusive to all children, so we remove barriers and make simple adjustments. You'll see visual schedules and quiet nooks.

We believe in equality for all children, parents and staff, so we are fair and flexible for everyone. You'll see activities and policies which support children and families with various needs.

Family Partnership

Families are at the heart of what we do. We build genuine partnerships through open communication, shared goals, and a circle of security that wraps around each child from their very first day to their last.

We believe in working in partnerships with families and carers, so we set goals with families and act on feedback. You'll see family-led ideas, including documentation shared with families.

We believe in being open and transparent with all families and to foster an approachable environment, so we communicate clearly, invite feedback and act promptly when communicating with families. You'll see an open door for discussion and genuine connection between the service and families.

We believe in creating a circle of security for families and children from the moment they walk through the centre until they leave for kindergarten, so we maintain trained and familiar educators for each room. You'll see same key educators, smooth handovers, transition passports.

Consistency & Individualised Support

Every child's needs are unique and every child deserves continuity. We use tiered support and maintain consistent routines, educators and environments so children feel settled and supported every day.

We believe in meeting all children's needs, so we use tiered support and work with specialists. You'll see support plans and therapist notes.

We believe in consistency of care, so we ensure familiar transitions and use shared routines. You'll see roster continuity, long play blocks and adaptability through regular communication.

Play, Learning & Professional Growth

Play is how children learn best. Our educators are committed professionals who continuously develop their practice, creating rich environments that invite curiosity, investigation and discovery.

We believe teachers are trained professionals who strive on building their knowledge of Early Childhood Education and Care, so we do professional development, coaching and reflections. You'll see professional development notes, critical reflection, sharing new knowledge and small changes tested.

We believe in play-based learning, so we promote engagement, investigation, inquiry based approaches, stages of play and act on spontaneous ideas. You'll see an inviting classroom space with open-ended materials and resources.