Murraya Children's Centre - Building Confident and Capable Children

Murraya Children's Centre is guided by the philosophy of RIE (Resources for Infant Educators), which places value on infants' dignity, respect, self-reliance and well-being. Murraya also follows a UK early childhood approach called 'continuous provision, which allows infants and toddlers to explore recent learning, practice new skills, and pursue their interests. 

Educators can enhance the continuously offered experiences and intentional teaching in a context where they are sure that children have plenty of opportunities to practice and improve skills, knowledge and confidence in active, independent learning. During active learning, educators encourage toddlers to discover the world around them by exploring and playing. Education and development are anchored by long-term, trusting relationships with educators who support children as they play.

The RIE approach to caregiving places the child at the centre of all actions, and educators are responsive to children's needs. During care activities (changing, feeding, bathing, dressing, etc.),  educators create opportunities for interaction, cooperation,  respectful relationships and mutual enjoyment. Educators create a  safe, challenging, predictable environment. The educator's role is to create an environment where the child can do all the things the child would do naturally. The more predictable an environment is, the easier it is for infants to learn. Educators give infants plenty of time for uninterrupted play, exploration and discovery.

Based on current thinking in early childhood education, the Educational program is based on the Reggio Emilia Provocations approach, guided by HighScope Developmental Indicators and the Early Years Learning Framework. Educators provide provocations that are deliberate and thoughtful decisions made to extend the ideas of children and recognise spontaneous teachable moments as they occur. The learning and development are anchored by trusting relationships with educators, who support the children as they play. Children have plenty of opportunities to practice and improve skills, knowledge and confidence in active, inquiry-based learning.  During active learning, educators encourage children to discover the world around them by exploring and playing in indoor and outdoor spaces that are carefully planned, where every material is considered for its purpose, is ever-evolving and encourages collaboration, communication and exploration.          

Play-based experiences are set up in response to children's interests and developmental needs and provide hands-on opportunities for children to explore, practice, stimulate thinking, test theories and take control of their learning. Our play-based curriculum draws from children’s natural desire to engage in experiences based on their interests, strengths and developing skills for our infants, toddler, kinder and preschool programs. The image of the child as being confident and capable is reflected in our practices and spaces that meet children’s need for challenging play, with managed and controlled risk-taking as part of everyday practice. Children climb trees, create creeks, care for the centre's animals, including ducks, chickens, cats and rabbits and explore the natural environment.