Philosophy
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At Mitchelton Pre-Schooling Centre we view children as individuals and social learners. We acknowledge that children come from diverse backgrounds and bring unique strengths, experiences and understandings of their world.
In the learning environment, play is valued as a significant means for learning and allows opportunities for children to co-create the curriculum. Play can provide insights into children’s interests, skills, beliefs, joys, anxieties and frustrations.
We believe that the connections adults make with children through listening, playing, talking and questioning provide a rich and significant context for children’s learning. We consider partnerships as integral components of the curriculum and aim to ensure families are given opportunities to participate and reciprocate in all aspects of our learning community. We encourage children, families and staff to make meaningful connections and develop a sense of place within the Mitchelton Pre-Schooling Centre environment.
We encourage healthy, sustainable practices. The well-being of children and their development is the fundamental focus for all decision making in all aspects of the centre.
In relation to children we:
- Protect and promote children’s well being, health, safety and security.
- Honour children’s right to play (United Nations Article 31) as a critical tenant of our practice.
- Trust in children’s capacity to observe, explore, question, investigate, create, wonder and experience.
- Value individual learning styles, paths and processes. Children’s uniqueness and ambition is recognized. They are able to construct their knowledge using their own learning style, experiences and development.
- Encourage children to be active partners in their learning. Children are valued as active citizens of Mitchelton Pre-Schooling Centre with an informed capacity to contribute to the wider community.
- Recognize that children are living in a rapidly changing world. Listening, negotiating, compromising, sharing, respecting selves and others, risk taking, problem solving and resilience are key dispositions and skills for life.
- Support children’s exploration of the natural world and foster sustainable practices.
- Build children’s capacity as collaborative social learners by encouraging them to listen to others; engage in communication; and represent their feelings, understandings and ideas in a variety of ways.
In relation to families and community we:
- Recognise families as children’s first and most influential teachers.
- Allow time to get to know families, and understand that trust and a sense of belonging take time to build. We value reciprocal communication and relationships with families. The unique connections within these partnerships are valued. We support strong connections regardless of input.
- Value and recognise the diversity within this community. While there may be common threads binding our community, each family brings their unique culture, values and beliefs to this. Understanding and acknowledging points of similarity and difference helps build capacity and strengthen relationships.
- Celebrate the richness of the history of Mitchelton Pre-Schooling Centre and the connections the centre has with the community past, present and future. We recognise the traditional owners of this land.
As educators we:
- Are guided professionally by the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics.
- Embed the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia; the Queensland kindergarten learning guidelines and the National Quality Standards into our daily practice.
- Invest our time generously and genuinely with children to optimize learning possibilities and potentials.
- Support, equip, challenge, extend and add complexity to children’s learning and development.
- Celebrate children’s voices and journey of learning. We are proud to make children’s thinking and learning visible in ways that are significant to children and their families.
- Recognise strengths in children, families, colleagues and the community.
- Respect the confidentiality of all member of the centre: children, parents and staff.
- Value collegial partnerships. We foster a collaborative approach where all staff are respected as individuals and as a valuable part of the team.
- Recognize the significance of a sense of belonging to MPC for children, families and staff.
- Support, mentor and sustain colleagues to build the collective professional leadership capacity of the staff team.
- Promote and value ongoing professional development and learning and reflective practice.
- Encourage respectful and socially just practices and advocate for the rights of children.
- Look for opportunities rather than constraints.
Staff
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All MPC teaching staff hold specialist early childhood qualifications. MPC benefits greatly from the staff's depth of experience and professional expertise in early childhood education.
All staff members participate in various professional development activities such as workshops, conferences, teacher's meetings and visits to other centres. This is actively encouraged and supported by the Committee.
The non-contact time either side of program time enables staff to prepare the curriculum, organise materials, attend staff meetings, hold parent teacher meetings etc. Parents' co-operation in keeping to session times is vital.
Casual staff are employed from time to time to support children with additional needs as required.
Management Committee
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Our centre is managed by an annually elected Management Committee. This dedicated group of parents oversee the working of our centre. The Committee meets on a monthly basis and works closely with Administrative Staff and Teaching Staff.
The 2011 Management Committee are:
- President - Annie Dawson
- Vice President - Julieen Hicks
- Secretary - Allison Hume-Jones
- Treasurer - Michael Richardson
- Personnel Officer - Rebecca Christie
- Events Officer - Adele Urry
- Maintenance Officer - Grant Cooper
- Working Bee Coordinator - Julia Canning
- Marketing Officer - Michaela O'Connor
- Grants Officer - Elaine Pang
- Workplace Health and Safety Officer - Charlotte Eld
Please contact the committee members via the Administration email link This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
History
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In 2009 the Centre celebrated 60 years of creating an educational environment for pre-school age children. The original Mitchelton Community Preschool Association's first building on this site was opened in 1949. Over the years, another 2 units were built, as well as other facilities in Blackwood and McConaghy Streets, under the umbrella of this same organisation.
In 1992, Mitchelton Community Kindergarten Association Inc (MCKA) was 'born'; celebrating Kedron Avenue as a 'stand alone' facility for 3 to 6 year old children. As an autonomous community centre, we have thoroughly enjoyed building stronger links with families, and providing the opportunity for parents and teachers alike to celebrate together the joy and excitement of watching children grow and develop through their play.
With the introduction of the Prep year in 2007, and the consequent abolition of State Preschool education, we reviewed the organisation of our services. The change of name to "Mitchelton Pre-Schooling Centre Incorporated" (MPC) reflects our role of continuing to provide excellence in education for the years before school.
Testimonials
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I thoroughly enjoy being a part of Mitchelton Pre-schooling Centre. I love that my children are valued, listened to and encouraged to express their ideas and plans. I really appreciate the experience and quality of the staff, and the amazing learning environment that they provide. This stimulating environment encourages the children to interact positively and work together to solve problems, while encouraging their independence. My children have gained so much through their experiences at MPC and I believe that this sets them up for a positive start to their life of learning.
- MEREDITH WAGHORN
The environment which the teaching staff create for the children is one of possibility and wonderment. It allows them to learn, think creatively, challenge themselves and develop a whole range of skills all whilst they play.
- DAVE FOSTER
A midwife, noticing where we lived, recommended we enroll our children at Mitchelton Pre Schooling Centre; before they were even born! Later, a friend also made the same recommendation and we are now extremely grateful for this wonderful advice. Our 3 boys have attended MPC over the past 2 years, and WE now strongly recommend it to friends with young children.
MPC has lovely surrounds and equipment, but by far its greatest strength is the quality of the teaching staff. The level of care, nurturing and teaching is outstanding. This teaching focuses on life skills such as social interactions with other children and adults, problem solving, resilience, respect of others and the environment, and many more of the skills children need to succeed. We have been delighted to watch our boys achieve many of these skills under the guidance of the MPC staff. The communication with, and support of, parents is excellent and the level of care is maintained by the wonderful staff in OK care.
Our children have lovely memories of MPC, and we frequently comment on how lucky we are that they have been able to attend. What a wonderful place MPC is!
- KYLIE PETERSON
"60 Years of Community Spirit"
I am honoured and privileged to contribute to the 60th Anniversary Book of Memories as President of the Management Committee. A review of the 50th Anniversary Book of Memories has left me in awe of the intricate role that the Pre-Schooling Centre has played in the Mitchelton Community over the last six decades.
I cannot help but be amazed at the number of lives touched by the centre, and the positive impact it has not just on the children and their families, but also the larger community.
Personally as a father, I have witnessed first hand the wonderful experience and lifelong memories created through my daughter. Her excited tellings of the 'day at kindy' and demonstration of the latest project is a highlight of my day.
The children have always been the priority at this centre, and this is its greatest strength. The staff and parents are committed to ensuring that the needs of young children are always the focus, and the commitment we see each year to this goal affirms our belief that young children are important, and that advocating on their behalf is our greatest responsibility.
From the early days, the aim of the Centre was to provide quality care and education for children, and this goal certainly remains to this day. This is achievable through the tireless efforts of our amazingly dedicated teachers and support staff. Their love and care for the children is matched by their commitment to learning and the application of best practice teaching methods.
Of course staff don't work alone. Building partnerships with families in order to support the goals and aims of the centre is critical. This has always been an important aspect of life at Mitchelton Pre-Schooling Centre. The involvement of parents and other family members through working bees, financial contributions, spending time with the children during a morning or day, and direct involvement in the decision-making and development of the centre on the Management Committee has been instrumental in ensuring this Centre has retained a strong sense of community pride.
Many individuals and families have injected enormous amounts of time, energy and enthusiasm in building the Centre up to the high standard that has attracted many families, educated many children and created many happy memories.
Like their counterparts before them, parents are still committed to ensuring that special childhood memories are created at Mitchelton Pre-Schooling Centre.
I am positive that with the ongoing contribution by teaching staff, support staff, parents, families and the greater community that the centre will continue to flourish over the next 60 years.
- MATT WILLIAMS (2009 Committee President)
