Principles and practices that best support our vision and the developmental needs of our children are:

• valuing the child as an individual within the context of the family and the community
• supporting parents in their role as primary caregivers and sharing information of benefit to the development of their child
• valuing play as a medium for all aspects of development and learning
• acknowledging and supporting children’s individual learning styles
• valuing the arts as symbol systems through which children discover and express meaning and make sense of themselves and their world
• providing opportunities for discovery learning through self-selected activities, and encouraging the development of children’s abilities to observe, perceive, explore, investigate, imagine and problem solve
• valuing positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviour, thereby allowing the child to develop self discipline and parent-supported value systems
• valuing daily routines such as eating, toileting, dressing and resting as opportunities for learning and social development, and therefore ensuring that these times are engaging and stimulating
• respecting the needs and rights of children to make choices and decisions by empowering them to take responsibility for the functioning of parts of the daily routines
• providing opportunities for children to develop responsibility by encouraging them in taking care of their environment and materials
• valuing the cultures of the children attending the Centre through presentation of relevant cultural activities
• recognising the need for children to practice skills and consolidate their learning by providing opportunities for repetition of experiences and extension of their ideas
• designing and establishing an enriched environment that stimulates the imagination, promotes creativity and enhances aesthetic development and appreciation of nature
• valuing and supporting staff in their work with children and families and in their own professional development
• being responsive to the needs of the community and abiding by the relevant laws and policies that relate to the provision of quality children’s services

Underlying these principles and practices is our understanding of the need to promote children’s independence and their ability to work co-operatively with peers and adults within an environment free of cultural or gender bias.

To ensure that each child has the opportunity to have a warm and caring relationship with caregivers. This is to be achieved partly by contact with a minimum number of different caregivers within the child's program.

To provide a warm, comfortable, nurturing, stimulating, home-like environment.

To provide for the physical needs of the children in terms of hygiene, cleanliness, health and safety. To ensure children are fed, toileted and given naps at appropriate times, such routines are to be seen as opportunity for learning and socialisation.

To develop tolerance and concern for other people and the environment and through this respect for self, others and the physical surroundings.

To implement programs that are developmentally appropriate and which address the cognitive, social, emotional, aesthetic and physical needs of the children.

To implement programs that are free of cultural and gender bias.

To implement programs that are flexible, based on individual choices and interests, considerate of different learning styles and which allow for repetition and practice of skills

To implement programs which acknowledge the arts as symbol systems and which allow for creative and imaginative expression in a wide variety of medium.

To encourage interaction in small groups and between all groups of the Centre (babies, toddlers, pre-school).

To encourage personal autonomy and feelings of self worth in each child by focusing on strengths and successes and by providing affirmation for these successes.

To implement all the previous objectives related to the children.

To place the needs of the children as the priority at all times.

To implement the philosophy and objectives of the Centre and the Centre's policies.

To maintain regular communication with parents about the program and their children's development and behaviour.

To accept the composition of varying family units and be aware and tolerant of stresses confronting families without making moral judgments.

To be aware of their importance as role models and ensure that their language, behaviour, attitudes and values are appropriate for the children in all interactions with children, parents and other staff.

To hold regular staff meetings, open discussions, and informal staff communications so that all sections of the staff interact freely and as a team.

To develop a sense of community within the Centre and maintain an atmosphere in which all children, parents and other staff feel accepted and valued.

To air grievances through the appropriate channels and deal with them in a constructive manner.

To be aware of the centre vision, philosophy and objectives and help implement these for the children.

To place the needs of the children as the priority at all times.

To maintain regular communication with caregivers and exchange information regarding their children's health, needs, interests and welfare.

To minimise disruption to the programs when bringing in children and collecting children.

To contribute to programs in the Centre in whatever way possible.

To fulfil their obligations in the operation of the Centre, in terms of financial commitments, maintenance, and cleaning, and contributing to and supporting the management committee.

To be aware of parent’s importance as role models and ensuring that their language, behaviour, attitudes and values are appropriate for the children in all interactions with children, parents and other staff at the Centre.

To develop a sense of community within the centre and maintain an atmosphere in which all children, parents and other staff feel accepted and valued.

To air grievances through the appropriate channels and deal with them in a constructive manner.

To employ staff and develop procedures and policies that implement the objectives for the children.

To place the needs of the children as the priority at all times.

To provide sound financial administration and fulfil all constitutional requirements pertaining to articles of incorporation and administration of Centre affairs.

To maintain quality child care by complying with regulations governing child care.

To implement new policy arising from the membership.

To oversee the daily management of the Centre and coordinate all aspects of Centre management.

To provide staff with support and facilitate staff training.

To set up and maintain a professional library and resource materials available to staff and parents.

To initiate appraisal and evaluation procedure which involves all Centre staff and members, and which ensures that the Centre's objectives are being met and implements plans to achieve any new goals.

To ensure all members and staff are aware of the correct channels and procedures for complaints or problems.

To ensure all staff and members are aware of their roles, responsibilities and rights.

To be open at all times to approaches from members and staff and to facilitate a sense of community in the Centre