A commitment to improving practice for children through learning-led programming has resulted in a 2018 Goodie National award win for Goodstart Springvale.
The team at the centre have been awarded the Educational Programme and Practice award for their willingness to engage in reflective debate and discussion on programming, embed a whole centre approach, and the inclusion of a continuous improvement culture.
The Goodies recognise excellence in Goodstart centres and showcase the best practice and commitment to delivering high quality education for all of Australia’s children. There were 19 national winners this year, and more than 700 nominations submitted.
Educational lead, Celine Kakumanu, said she spent time visiting other centres and reviewing their programs, researching and viewing NQF workshops and webinars to ensure the educational program was the best it could be.
“We have seen a change of mindset in the centre, the team is being cooperative and have embraced the changes one by one to reflect everyday practice,” she said.
“Our planning template is shared on a regular basis as part of the planning cycle and educators have now been able to notice changes over time.
“Educators do weekly critical reflection thinking about the program, philosophies and value practices and how these perspectives influence the program.
“We made our documentation, planning books and reflective journals visible so that everyone who visits the centre can see them.”
The end result is a centre where families are connected with their children’s learning journeys and are more informed about their progress.
“Educators are now more attentive to potential learning difficulties and language delays, communicate their observations with families and seek out additional support.”
Judge Sue Robb, Goodstart general manager of pedagogy and practice, said the team was self-motivated to change and take initiative to improve.
“The educational lead adapted goals to suit a variety of learning goals and abilities,” Ms Robb said. “The approach takes into account children, educator and family perspectives and success is evidence by the centre’s exceeding rating.”
The team at the centre have been awarded the Educational Programme and Practice award for their willingness to engage in reflective debate and discussion on programming, embed a whole centre approach, and the inclusion of a continuous improvement culture.
The Goodies recognise excellence in Goodstart centres and showcase the best practice and commitment to delivering high quality education for all of Australia’s children. There were 19 national winners this year, and more than 700 nominations submitted.
Educational lead, Celine Kakumanu, said she spent time visiting other centres and reviewing their programs, researching and viewing NQF workshops and webinars to ensure the educational program was the best it could be.
“We have seen a change of mindset in the centre, the team is being cooperative and have embraced the changes one by one to reflect everyday practice,” she said.
“Our planning template is shared on a regular basis as part of the planning cycle and educators have now been able to notice changes over time.
“Educators do weekly critical reflection thinking about the program, philosophies and value practices and how these perspectives influence the program.
“We made our documentation, planning books and reflective journals visible so that everyone who visits the centre can see them.”
The end result is a centre where families are connected with their children’s learning journeys and are more informed about their progress.
“Educators are now more attentive to potential learning difficulties and language delays, communicate their observations with families and seek out additional support.”
Judge Sue Robb, Goodstart general manager of pedagogy and practice, said the team was self-motivated to change and take initiative to improve.
“The educational lead adapted goals to suit a variety of learning goals and abilities,” Ms Robb said. “The approach takes into account children, educator and family perspectives and success is evidence by the centre’s exceeding rating.”