Learning with us
Play-based learning
Creating innovative educational experiences through nature-based and play-based learning.
Risky play
Our program involves elements of risky play.
This form of play is a natural part of children’s development, and is defined as a thrilling or exciting activity that involves risk. Risky play provides preschoolers with opportunities to face challenges, test limits, explore boundaries and learn about injury risk, all in an environment supported by professional educators. (Sandseter, 2007; Little & Wyver, 2008).
At Macquarie College
Risky play is incorporated into our day, encouraging students to engage in risks in a monitored environment as part of play-based learning.
What is play-based learning?
Research shows that play-based learning stimulates and enhances students’ physical, social and academic development.
Play-based learning allows children to “organise and make sense of their social worlds, as they engage actively with people, objects and representations” (The Early Years Learning Framework). Outdoor play, movement activities and hands-on experiences through play-based learning encourage growth mindsets such as trial and error, teamwork, problem solving and creativity. These skills prepare a child for future learning, and encourage them to seek knowledge throughout their lifetime. At Macquarie College, we also believe that learning is deeper and more meaningful when children are allowed large periods of unhurried time.
Student-centred and self-guided focus
Time for children to just ‘be’, whether indoors or outdoors in nature, in order to develop as individuals.
Benefits of play-based learning in preschool
Early Childhood Education prepares children for lifelong learning, providing them with a solid foundation on which to build.
Play allows children to develop at their own pace, and to discover the world around them in a style that connects with them individually. Our play environments, incorporating both indoor and expansive outdoor spaces, are designed and developed to ignite a love of learning and inspire children to direct their own growth and develop confidence through the ability to make their own choices.
Skills for the future
The skills required for future learning are constructed through exploration, discussion, cooperation and exchanging knowledge.
Belief
Connecting the Christian community
We aim to show God’s love through all that we do, and demonstrate the wonder of God’s creation to our children. We integrate Christian values and Bible stories into our daily program. The Preschool curriculum allows children to make positive connections with educators and peers, learn to share and cooperate, work as part of a group, and to think, investigate and solve problems, all the while belonging to a secure and caring Christian environment.
Playing in natural spaces supports a child’s sense of self, allowing children to recognise their independence alongside an interdependence and connectedness with their ecological worlds.
Stuart Lester • Martin Maudsley