History
Gower Street Kindergarten (GSK) is an Incorporated Association that was unveiled on 16th February 1977. GSK is a community ran Kindergarten that is governed by a voluntary Committee of Management. The function of the Committee is to collectively ensure the delivery of its objectives, to set its strategic direction, and to uphold its values. The Committee is collectively responsible and accountable for ensuring and monitoring that the Organisation is performing well, is solvent, and is complying with all its legal, financial, and ethical obligations. The Committee’s composition is drawn from our community. Individual members share diverse skill sets and a range of expertise that supports good governance and represents our service users.
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Philosophy
Gower Street Kindergarten fosters play based learning to support each child’s individual development and growth. We believe that children learn best when they are engaged in programs and activities that are stimulating and support all areas of development. GSK works to create a learning environment that allows every child to establish a sense of belonging, being and explore their individuality.
Using play based learning as our guiding principle, GSK creates suitable learning opportunities for children that allows them to connect with the world around them while learning to become active and contributing members in their community. Children are encouraged to socially connect with others in a community that is welcoming and inclusive. Creating play base learning opportunities allows children to co-construct their understanding of their environment. This gives children the foundations to create a sense of self, allowing them to grow confidence and become more effective communicators.
GSK believes it is important for children to engage with environmentally sustainable practice. This increases awareness and understanding of the impact our actions have on our environment. Through sharing information and including children in sustainable planning and practice such as maintenance of our garden, the upcycle of materials, incursions, and upkeep of our worm farm, they can develop knowledge and understanding about the natural world around us.
GSK believes every child should explore, identify, negotiate, take risks, and create meaning. Children who engage in quality play experiences are more likely to have well-developed memory skills, language development, and are able to regulate their behavior, leading to enhanced school adjustment and academic learning (Bodrova & Leong, 2005).
These early years for children are critical to their long term social and emotional development. This time can be a defining point in any child’s life. For families, these years pass quickly and at GSK we allow every opportunity for children to explore the world around them in an accessible and inclusive environment with the support of our educators.
Community
Learning Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world
Learning Outcome 3 : Children Have A Strong Sense Of Well-being
At Gower Street Kindergarten the children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities. Children respond to diversity with respect and also become socially aware and show respect for their environment.
The committee of management along with the educators at the kindergarten have established many partnerships and stakeholder relationships. We are proud that families have reported that collaborative partnerships/relationships with organisational partners have continued to grow within and outside of Kindergarten environment.
These community events are:
- Kinder Grove
- Ready Steady Go Kids
- Wild Action
- Adli
- Bunnings
- Local Primary School visits/networking
- Animals On The Move
- Henny Penny
- City of Darebin Mobile Dentist
- Fit Kids
- Responsible Pet Program
- Starting Out Safely Program
- Special Person’s Day
- Community Celebrations
- Community Artist ( Kindergarten Mural celebrating cultural diversity)
- Harmony Day
- Naidoc Week
- Twilight Kindergarten Evening (Darebin Council)
