Our History
Willoughby Community Preschool Inc. is a long standing institution within the Willoughby community, providing education and care for the children of Willoughby for nearly half a century.
Initially established within the premises of Willoughby Presbyterian Church, on the corner of High and Laurel Streets Willoughby, the Preschool was first known as Willoughby Preschool Play Centre.
In 1980 the Preschool changed its name to Willoughby Community Preschool.
In 1985, after nearly 30 years at Willoughby Presbyterian Church, the Preschool’s Management Committee felt that a more suitable premise was required for the Preschool to enable it to better accommodate the growing demand for quality early childhood education in the area and to have a space which could be used exclusively and provide a more suitable and effective environment. A Building and Executive Committee was formed and spent considerable time identifying properties within the Municipality which would be suitable for the Preschool. After much deliberation with Willoughby Council, a resolution was passed in October 1985 for the council to construct a new premises for the Preschool at 7-9 Central Street Naremburn.
The building was initially known as the Naremburn Child Care Centre, and it was officially opened on 16th September 1987. Willoughby Community Preschool moved in immediately and have been on this site ever since.
On 22 August 1991, the Preschool became an incorporated association and is now known as Willoughby Community Preschool Inc.
On 22nd December 2014, the Preschool became an extended hours Preschool moving from the State funded system to the Federal system allowing our families who are eligible, to claim ChildCare Subsidy. The Preschool now operates 48 weeks a year.
Our Philosophy
The Preschool acknowledges the Gamaragal People as the Traditional Owners of these lands. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Preschool provides quality care in an educationally rich and caring environment for young children of our community aged three to five years. We achieve this through the following areas:
Children
We are inclusive. We believe in supporting children’s positive self-esteem. We believe that each child has unique potential and that they are resourceful and capable. Our educators recognise and celebrate the important learning that takes place during the early childhood years. We encourage children’s desire and engagement in play-based learning experiences that develop their interests, well-being, confidence and independence. We promote children’s active participation in their own learning. Curriculum decisions are guided by our educators upholding children’s agency. We recognise children’s different learning styles and utilise a range of pedagogical practices.
The Preschool is also inclusive with its broader communities, maintaining a strong connection with our Sister Service, Gainmara Birrilee Preschool Brewarrina NSW. We aim to support children’s awareness of diversity. We strongly value our diverse family community. Inclusive celebrations of the diversity of our families and the wider community are ongoing throughout the year.
Families and the Community
We are collaborative. Community is at the core of our values and is what makes the Preschool unique for our families. We build genuine partnerships with parents and families and value their contribution to their children’s learning. Our connections with children and families go beyond the preschool years as does our support. Our legacy within the community spans several generations and we celebrate what makes our Preschool unique to achieve such long-term partnerships in the community.
Management together with educators aim to create a collaborative environment for the children, their families and the wider community. We partner with parents to achieve the best learning outcomes for the children. We also achieve this by actively inviting parents into the learning environment, when appropriate, and run several social interactions for the children and families throughout the year. We collaborate with other organisations and support services to enhance children’s learning and development.
Learning Environment
We are innovative. Within the Preschool we deliver an innovative and engaging environment. The Preschool is committed to achieving a sustainable environment and focusing on environmental responsibility, both in the Preschool and with our families.
We are well resourced and consistently invest in the Preschool and its staff. Our philosophy around our learning environment is to consistently adapt to achieve best practices in Early Childhood Education, within the framework of our values and heritage in the community.
Educators inspire children through thoughtful planning, achieving a nurturing, safe, stimulating learning environment. We operate with a structure and embedded routines in the daily program, whilst with flexibility around the children’s interests and love of learning. Throughout their time at the Preschool, we prepare children for the next part of their education in formal schooling. This is achieved through the provision of a range of hands-on resources and technologies that promote enquiry-based learning and provoke children’s motivation for learning.
We consistently engage in critical reflective practice to create an environment that provides continuity for children’s interests and extends their prior knowledge. We are constantly reflecting on ways to improve or adapt our Preschool to the best outcomes of our children. We encourage children’s sense of fun, exploration and curiosity, promoting their work as unique individuals.
Educator and Professional Practice
We consistently invest in our team. Our teams of educators work collaboratively and develop respectful relationships based on open communication. Educators engage in an ongoing cycle of assessment and planning. We support our team’s development through a reflective process for continuous improvement. We prioritise professional development and mentoring for our team. We recognise the importance of wellbeing and provide a range of support services for our team and all stakeholders at our Preschool to ensure this is a priority.
Our Educators
Experienced and long-serving educators are a distinguishing and highly valued asset of the Willoughby Preschool community.
Our Educational Leader has worked passionately for the Preschool community for over 20 years providing strong leadership and a positive, professional organisational culture. She leads the development of a curriculum that builds upon children’s strengths and interests to foster positive learning outcomes.
A qualified early childhood teacher guides the educational programme in each classroom and is supported by qualified educators holding either a Diploma and/or Certificate III in Children’s Services.
Our lead educators are highly experienced and provide continuity to the Willoughby Preschool community. They engage in mentoring and support for more recent members of the teaching team providing a culture of professionalism and warmth.