When we all work together, we help create a wonderful future for young children.

Yarrunga Early Learning Centre

Yarrunga Early Learning Centre knows how important educators are in the lives of children, especially in the early years.

We employ a responsible and interactive team of qualified and experienced early childhood practitioners who have:

  • GEUINE RESPECT FOR CHILDREN

  • EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

  • DESIRE AND ABILITY TO TEACH CHILDREN

To do this we employ staff who respect and represent our values, enthusiasm and team ethic when working with children and families. Our selection of employees is to ensure each individual child is nurtured by dynamic, supportive and dedicated staff members.

Our highly qualified educators provide a play based curriculum that aims to reflect the families and children’s interests. All educators directly working with children are qualified, many of whom hold a diploma or teaching degree.

In addition, time and resources are invested in educator professional development, to ensure we are at the forefront of providing innovative early childhood education and care.

Yarrunga’s educators participate in the required Working with Children checks, are all First Aid trained, including anaphylaxis and asthma management and annually update their CPR, as well as attending monthly staff training meetings and other relevant professional development opportunities.

Our Philosophy

relationships

Relationships are central to everything we do. We value equitable, respectful, and reciprocal relationships between educators, children, families, and community. Relationships create a sense of belonging and promote wellbeing for all­­­.

educators

We value and support each other as equal team members, dedicated to continual development as both individuals and a collective.  Learning is strengthened as we mentor others, share ideas, collaborate on decisions, and reflect on our practices.  We are committed to the health and wellness of educators and staff.

children

Children’s voices guide our curriculum.  As each child learns through play, they follow their own interest which is scaffolded through intentional teaching.  We embrace diversity, encourage self-expression, creativity, exploration, and risk taking to develop a strong sense of self and respect for others.

environment

We are committed to providing a nurturing and welcoming environment within an inclusive natural atmosphere.  We believe sustainable practices empower children to construct knowledge, explore values and develop an appreciation of the environment which lays the foundation for an environmentally responsible adulthood.

community

Each family is unique and brings richness in culture, values, beliefs, and practices to our community growing us all.  We foster these family influences and promote partnerships with First Nations Peoples and the wider community to grow a sense of connection and inclusion for all.

Our Community Connections

Yarrunga Early Leaning Centre supports children to develop connections with their local community by actively engaging with it through our Community Connections Program. We often go for walks around our neighborhood and on the paths which surround Yarrunga, to one of the many walking bridges, parks or the train station. We plan excursions within the community, to the Library Museum or MAMA (Murray Art Museum Albury), Wonga Wetlands, Borella House and Eastern Hill.

Yarrunga educators and children, along with our Sustainability Officer regularly visit the Teacup Community Gardens in Broad Street where we have our own garden bed. Additionally, we support our community by participating in a range of community events and fundraisers such as Clean Up Australia Day, Daffodil Day and Give me 5 for Kids Pajama day.

Yarrunga invites local community members such as fire fighters, ambulance, police, librarians, Halve Waste, local animal hospitals etc to share their role in the community. Wiradjuri language and cultural sessions are held weekly by a wonderful local Wiradjuri Community member.

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The large Morton Bay Fig central to the piece represents growth, the five circles reflect our core values and the steppingstones at the base of the tree show how Yarrunga supports the holistic development of children.

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The footprints show tracks along the riverbed representing the many journeys’ children experience during their time at Yarrunga.

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The white dot work at the bottom of the image continues the theme of building foundational roots that our children will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Tamara Murray – Maramayart 2021

https://maramayart.com.au/

Yarrunga’s Vision for Reconciliation

Our vision for reconciliation at Yarrunga Early Learning Centre includes the voices of families, local community, educators and Management.

We are committed to building relationships based on mutual trust and inclusiveness.  We will do this by delivering a culturally responsive educational program, respectfully embedding cultural practices and perspectives into curriculum experiences, connecting with the Traditional Owners of the Land; and sharing resources and culture between Yarrunga and home.

We believe cultural competence is strengthened through access to authentic learning opportunities, relationships with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, resources, and ongoing reflection of our pedagogical practices.

We will strive for an environment that reflects peace, connectedness, unity, equity and equality fostering a sense of belonging and wellbeing for all.