EASTMONT PRE-SCHOOL
VERMONT
About Us
Get to Know Us
At Eastmont Pre-School we take pride in providing a learning environment that is child centred, inviting, and inclusive of all where each child’s voice is listened to and respected. We are committed to providing a happy, safe and welcoming learning community for our children.
Over the years Eastmont Pre-school has developed a stimulating and challenging play based curriculum. We believe play-based learning is essential for children because it contributes to their overall development and wellbeing. Our educators are responsive to children’s ideas, provide an open-ended environment and scaffold learning to support children’s education.
The children enjoy a wide variety of play spaces, lots of natural shade, new climbing equipment and a large wooden boat for lots of imaginative play. The children are always busy in the sandpit, cubby house or sitting amongst the trees.
Eastmont is not part of the WPSA. Enrolments occur directly with our 3 and 4 year old enrolment committee members.
Our Children’s Voices
“My favourite thing to do is play with my friends, find the monster and play on the bridge.” Isla
“I like to sit and eat my lunch with all my friends” Jack.
“I love to look for fairies in the garden. There are lots of different places that they can hide.” Addie
“I love drawing, painting and playing outside.’ Zahara
“My favourite thing to do at Kinder is play in the sandpit. I like to play Mums and Dads and make roads, houses and snake houses!” Dylan
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy and Purpose
At Eastmont Pre-School we offer a play-based, child centred-curriculum that is guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework. We create a warm, caring, inclusive environment where children of all abilities feel relaxed, supported, and are able to explore, discover, imagine, create, have fun, and reach their full potential. Children are active participants, contributors and decision makers in their own learning and families and educators work together in partnership to support children’s agency and learning. At Eastmont we encourage the children to be lifelong learners as we exude a teachable attitude towards our community, children, and families. We aim to keep listening, hearing, and responding as we
continually grow and learn together.
At Eastmont Pre-School, We listen! We hear!
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We prioritise Child Safety, wellness and wellbeing and provide opportunities that encourage and develop self-esteem, a positive self-image, communication, and independence skills.
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We listen to the voices of children and adults and keep children safe at all times.
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We hear our community, as we respect the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to Elders past and present and welcome them to our service.
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We strive to provide a culturally safe environment and seek to continually connect and grow with our understanding of our First Nations Peoples.
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We hear our children, and help them to choose good foods, keep moving their bodies, and stay active!
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We hear our children and are guided by them, as we encourage and support them to make friends and be kind, develop empathy and compassion towards others and speak up and let their voices be heard and remember to laugh and have fun.
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We hear our team, as we collaborate together, share skills, and respect each other’s talents and uniqueness. We promote respect and care for other children, and adults.
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We respect individual differences and foster an environment in which each child, family and educator is supported and valued for the unique strengths and interests that they bring to the group.
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We care for the environment and show an appreciation of nature. We show consideration and respect for all living creatures.
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We value diversity and embrace our community and opportunities to contribute to it by authentically embracing a holistic attitude towards the enriching cultures our service is immersed in.
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We listen to our families and respect them as the most important people in their child’s life, and work in collaborative partnerships with them to ensure the best learning and development outcomes for their child.
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We respect the knowledge and skills that our families and the community have that enrich the lives of our children and welcome and encourage family involvement in all aspects of our service.
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We prize excellence and strive to achieve it in all perspectives and applied pedagogy of Eastmont Preschool in order to improve the quality of our service delivery to families, their children, and the community.
Meet Our Teachers
Sonya
Director
Four Year Old Teacher - Possums and Koalas
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)
I have been Director of Eastmont Preschool for 24 years and have been teaching at the kindergarten since 1996. I am very lucky to be part of a supportive community and a dedicated team of educators. I also have primary and special education teaching qualifications, but my passion lies in working in early childhood.
Morgan
Three Year Old Teacher - Koalas
Bachelor of Education (Early Years)
I have my Bachelor in Education (Early Years) and I am so excited to be working at Eastmont! I have worked in the early years industry for 6 years now, and I absolutely adore teaching young children and watching them grow into confident and capable individuals.
One of the many things I love about my job is that I get to encourage children to as they grow to be kind and compassionate people, full of their own ideas and opinions. I love to sing and dance with children and sharing laughter with them is the absolute best!
I am dedicated to providing a safe, happy and fun environment, in which your children are provided with the foundations they need to contribute to and engage in society as healthy, capable people.
Gina
Four Year Old Teacher - Possums
Master of Early Childhood Education
I have completed my Master degree at Monash university and Graduate Diploma at RMIT. Early Childhood learning is the primary focus of my career and I actively support the concept of play-based learning to meet the needs of children development. I recognise individual abilities, differences, and strengths and strive to offer specialised programs to ensure a fully integrated, well-developed welfare and student wellbeing program.
Being multicultural myself, I’m also enthusiastic to teach children different languages and regularly embed cultural activities in the program. During my spare time, I play a traditional Chinese instrument- Gu Zheng. I love spending time with my family, camping, sports and travelling.
I consider it an honour to be with your children and I look forward to meeting you and your child soon.
Rita
Four Year Old Educator - Possums
Diploma of Children's Services
I started working in Early Childhood Services in 2006. I've worked with both 3 - year old & 4 - year old kindergarten groups.
I enjoy being a part of a community and I believe in collaboration between educators and families to support the children's development and wellbeing.
This partnership sets strong foundations for all future learning.
Sue
Four Year Old Educator - Possums
Diploma of Children's Services
I always knew that working with young children was my passion and I have worked at Eastmont Preschool for over 20 years. I believe in providing an inclusive environment where all children feel safe, valued and supported.
My greatest joy is watching the children explore, learn, develop friendships and gain confidence throughout their preschool years.
It is a privilege to be a part of the early stage of the children's education journey.
Flora
Three Year Old Educator - Koalas
Diploma of Children's Services
I worked as an educator for 6 years, and completed my diploma in 2019.
I have a passion for creating a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment for young children. I believe that every child is unique, and I strive to create opportunities that cater to their individual needs and interests. As an educator, I also value communication and collaboration with parents and families.
When I’m not working at Eastmont, I’m the taxi driver of my boys. We spend our weekends at their basketball games - I’m their biggest fan! I can’t miss even one of their basketball games!
Our Committee
Eastmont Pre-School is a not-for-profit incorporated body administered by a Committee of Management which is made up of volunteer parents of children attending the kindergarten. The committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting which is held in November each year.
Our committee is run by parents and families who dedicate their time and skill sets to develop the Pre-School’s facilities and functions in the best way for our future generations. Without the volunteers the Pre-School wouldn’t be able to operate.
If you are interested in being part of the committee please see the different roles below.