In this constantly Vulnerable, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous, (VUCA) changing world, our preschool staff are frequently challenged to develop new skills, knowledge and approaches in order to continue to be effective and dynamic educators.
At Lansvale we believe that all children deserve a high quality early childhood program (Preschool Philosophy, 2016). To advance this aspiration, Lansvale Preschool is committed to supporting all educators by building strong relationships and a sound educational community by leading and inspiring a culture of authentic collaboration, substantive communication, empowered leadership and effective organisational practice.
Preschool educators value ongoing professional development and reflective practice in order to develop their professional expertise. Nurturing staff is an important factor in effective practice and building capacity within whole teams and individuals alike. All Preschool educators at Lansvale develop a meaningful, relevant, future focused annual Performance and Development Plan (PDP). The framework highlights a comprehensive and effective approach to high performance and development whereby educators continuously plan, implement and review their practices. Planning is a collaborative process whereby educators develop and articulate professional goals, detailing the strategies and support required to achieve these goals. After implementation, educators systematically and strategically review progress based on evidence and self reflection in collaboration with their colleagues. We celebrate professional successes, collaboratively implement strategies and share new insights. We do this whilst critically reflecting on and questioning our beliefs and values, adopting a flexible and growth mindset approach to development.
Some of our staff PDP goals include:
One of our educators identified the need to support children with additional needs enrolled at our service. This led her to further enhance her understanding in support of families and children. Through many professional development courses such as Professor Tony Attwood and Sue Larkey workshops, she shared her knowledge and strategies with her colleagues, broadening their knowledge of ASD. As a result of implemented strategies, the children are happy, their communication has improved and their sense of belonging has deepened within their family and the preschool. Furthermore our families have developed a stronger partnership with the educators. Excellence is in Lansvale’s commitment in striving for the best in ourselves both personally and professionally. Our dedicated educators are professionals that continually enrich their knowledge and skills. They do this to implement current best practice to meet their own professional interests, needs, the current children’s needs as well as the demands of today’s evolving early childhood education profession. We recognise that our PDP’s are a map that will lead to both personal and professional competencies for a positive impact on the lives of the children and families in our care.
At Lansvale we are always looking for innovative ways to enhance our teaching practices. We believe that great teachers must be great learners as well. It is the opportunities that Lansvale provides its educators to observe and exchange best practice with/from other quality services that makes us exceptional. We have liaised, visited and collaborated with services such as Globe Wilkins Preschool, John Brotchie Nursery School, Sydney Day Nursery at Riverwood, Cabramatta Early Learning Centre, Earlwood CCC, Lansvale Montessori, Ashcroft Public School Preschool and Riverwood Public School preschool. These visits not only challenged our educators to reflect upon their own approaches but also inspired them to examine and modify these practices to contextually suit Lansvale’s setting. For example, after our visit to Globe Wilkins Preschool, our educators were inspired by the different learning centres at Globe and have created another learning space within the preschool called the Curiosity Centre - A learning space that sits effortlessly between the two classrooms. As a result of this new space, our children are now free flowing between the classrooms, as the open doors of the Curiosity Centre allows the children to freely move from room to room. With the divide between the two separate rooms removed, learning spaces are more visible and accessible to the children. Their sense of agency has increased as they make decisions about what play space to be in. Furthermore, friendship groups have become more dynamic as the children interact and form relationships with children from both classes. Their sense of belonging has deepened as they now see that they belong to the whole preschool.
Learning is a two way process and in turn we were able to share our invaluable knowledge, skills and teaching practice with these services. For example John Brotchie Nursery School was inspired by how we made the children’s learning intentions visible for all and have now implemented this initiative in their own centre. These services inspired our educators to reflect on their current teaching and learning practice.
A lovely email from the Director of Globe Wilkins PreschoolExcellence is in how Preschool educators utilise the expertise and skills within Lansvale primary school teaching staff through mentoring and/or coaching. Our educators have undergone TEN (Targeted Early Numeracy) training and FOR (Focus on Reading) training.
Our school employs two Instructional Leaders with expertise in Numeracy and Literacy to provide ongoing support for all staff including our preschool educators with a prime focus on encouraging a confident, successful start to learning for all students. There is a particular focus on improved teaching methods in Literacy and Numeracy, building on teacher’s understanding of effective teaching strategies in these areas. Although these initiatives are K-2 focused, our exceptional preschool teachers adapt and modify these teaching practices to align them with the Early Years Learning Framework and their core belief of learning through play. For example, during TEN training, the preschool children were exposed to games to develop number sense whilst having fun. As a result of implementing these experiences, children’s numeracy understandings and skills immensely improved. It was during a simple dice game that one of our girls had a light bulb moment when she noticed her peer was able to identify the number four on the die without needing to count the dots with his fingers. When the educator explained that her peer is able to identify the dots because he remembered that four is two dots on the top and two dots on the bottom, she was surprised by this new discovery. As a result, for the Best Start assessment, 98% of children who attended Lansvale Preschool demonstrated Early Stage One skills in reading, writing and mathematics. This ensures that our preschool children begin Kindergarten with confidence and success as their strengths are built upon. “There is growing evidence that the acquisition of certain literacy skills before Kindergarten is predictive of later school success” (Dickinson, McCabe, & Essex, 2006; Snow et al., 1998; Torgesen, 1998; Wasik, Bond, & Hindman, 2006).
Furthermore, the opportunities to participate in these professional learning initiatives equips our educators with the knowledge and skills needed if they decide to venture back into primary teaching, ensuring a continuity of high quality learning outcomes for our children for years to come. We are not bridging formal learning into preschool but harnessing curiosity and capacity to ensure school readiness and transition. This early intervention is a massive resource for all in our learning community.
Our Lansvale educators are committed to staying current with ongoing early childhood professional learning and research. We do this by subscribing to ACECQA newsletters, The Australian Council for Educational leaders (ACEL), Lady Gowrie newsletters as well as attending the Annual Early Childhood Conference organised by the Department of Education. This event allows educators to connect and share ideas and teaching practices with other departmental preschools within NSW. Furthermore our educators reflect on goals identified in their Professional Development Plan (PDP) and seek professional learning either within the school or through an external organisation. Our educators have subscribed to Early Childhood Australia Learning Hub which provides them with access to webinars, learning modules, information and resources about young children and technology as well as other resources to complement online learning. Educators are also part of the NSW DoE Preschools Edmodo group which is an online networking application for teachers to connect with other teachers by sharing resources, ideas, articles, problems and helpful tips. One of our educators is also sharing her insights on a book about neuroscience called “The Whole Brain Child” by Daniel Siegel.
The educators at Lansvale preschool believe they are lifelong learners. It is this commitment to pursuing continual professional development, with new pedagogical methods, educational research, development and policy that make Lansvale excellent.
