At Catholic Education we inspire a joy in learning

LEARNING is a natural process of exploration that individuals engage in from birth as they expand their intellectual, physical, social, emotional and creative capacities.

Early learning experiences are closely linked to brain development and provide the solid foundations necessary for future growth.

Planned and spontaneous learning experiences support children to obtain and construct knowledge through an integrated approach, which provide opportunities to engage, imagine, explore, create and problem solve.

The research that underpins the understanding within Catholic Education Western Australia, is that the time from conception to eight years of age, is widely acknowledged as a period of rapid brain development and therefore vital for growth and learning.

All experiences during this period are considered to be critical, impacting both on the here and now and into the child’s future.

The family is recognised as the child’s first and most influential educator and is valued as a partner in their education and care.

Catholic Education Western Australia respects the history, culture, language and traditions of all families and communities.

Families are welcomed, respected and actively encouraged to work in partnership with educators. Partnerships are based on an understanding of expectations, values and attitudes that build on the strengths of each other’s knowledge.

The rich and diverse culture of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, which is central to their lives, is valued and acknowledged by all.

Within Catholic Education Western Australia, educators are dedicated to their own learning and that of others. They provide for holistic learning, based on understandings of early child development and implemented through appropriate early years’ pedagogy.

They recognise learning occurs within a social context with children engaged in purposeful interactions with both peers and educators, as they take time to make sense of their world.

Educators support individual growth through a seamless blend of focused and intentional teaching within a play-based learning environment.

They are deliberate and reflective in planning, documenting and evaluating children’s progress whilst ensuring that they scaffold the learning to support individual development. The learning experiences reflect the local culture alongside each child’s interests and abilities.

Catholic Education of Western Australia Director of Teaching and Learning, Eileen Climo said: “My hope for our children in the early years is that they develop a love of learning through play in our schools.

“We provide caring and stimulating environments where students’ well-being is of utmost importance and they discover the joy and wonder of the world around them through their educational experiences,” she added.

Children’s spiritual, physical, cognitive, linguistic, creative, social and emotional growth is nurtured as they form respectful and reciprocal relationships. Children are encouraged to develop a positive image of themselves and others as they are supported to live out our gospel values.

For more information www.cewa.edu.au/earlyyears.