Children – Our Priority

At Cuddly Bear Templestowe, children are at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that every child is unique, with their own personality, interests, strengths, abilities, culture, family experiences and individual way of learning. We take the time to know each child and build genuine relationships so that children feel safe, secure, valued and understood. We respect children as capable and confident learners. We listen to their ideas, opinions and feelings and provide opportunities for children to make choices, express themselves, take appropriate risks, solve problems and develop independence. We believe children should have a genuine voice in their learning and be supported to become active participants in their everyday experiences.

Our educators observe, listen and respond to children, using their interests and strengths to plan meaningful learning experiences. We celebrate children’s achievements and progress and support them through challenges, encouraging resilience, confidence and a positive sense of self.

Learning Through Play

We believe play is the foundation of early childhood learning. Through play, children explore their world, develop relationships, communicate, experiment, imagine, problem-solve and build new skills. We provide a balance of child-led and educator-supported experiences that allow children to explore their interests while developing knowledge and understanding. Our environments are planned to encourage curiosity, creativity and investigation. We provide opportunities for children to explore indoors and outdoors, individually, in small groups and as part of the wider group. We value messy play, sensory experiences, music, movement, art, books, dramatic play, construction, nature and opportunities to explore and discover.

Educators intentionally extend children’s learning through conversations, questions, modelling, encouragement and carefully considered experiences. We also recognise the importance of supporting children to develop age-appropriate digital literacy and understand how to use technology safely and responsibly.

 Our Guiding Frameworks

 At Cuddly Bear Templestowe Early Learning Centre, our philosophy is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) V2.0 and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF). Our commitment to children’s rights, safety, wellbeing, inclusion and participation is strengthened through the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics and the Victorian Child Safe Standards. We operate within the National Quality Framework (NQF) and uphold the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Law and National Regulations, together with all relevant child safety requirements.

These frameworks and standards provide the foundation for our philosophy and guide the way we work with children, families, educators and our wider community. They influence our curriculum and educational programs, our relationships and interactions, our policies and procedures, and the decisions we make each day.

Our philosophy is a living document that reflects who we are as a service and what we value. Through ongoing reflection, collaboration and continuous improvement, we remain committed to providing a safe, nurturing, inclusive and engaging environment where every child is respected, valued and supported to learn, grow and thrive.

 Relationships, Respect & Positive Behaviour

Relationships are central to our work. We believe children learn and develop best when they have secure, trusting and respectful relationships with the adults around them. Our educators aim to be warm, responsive and consistent and to create an environment where children know they can seek support and feel heard.

We teach children that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. We support children to develop friendships, communicate their needs, understand emotions, negotiate with others and resolve age-appropriate conflicts. We recognise that children are still developing emotional regulation and social skills and respond to challenging behaviours with patience, guidance and understanding.

We work alongside children to help them understand their feelings and develop positive ways of expressing themselves. We focus on teaching and guiding rather than simply managing behaviour, while maintaining clear and consistent expectations that support the safety and wellbeing of all children.

 Inclusion, Diversity & Culture

Cuddly Bear is a place where every child and family should feel a strong sense of belonging. We value and respect the diversity of our community and recognise the many cultures, languages, abilities, backgrounds, family structures and experiences represented within our centre.

We provide inclusive environments and experiences where children can see themselves, their families and their communities reflected and respected. We encourage children to learn about and appreciate differences and similarities between people and to develop respect, empathy and understanding.

We are committed to continuing to strengthen our cultural responsiveness, including our understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, histories and connections to Country. We recognise that inclusion is an ongoing commitment and continually reflect on how we can ensure every child and family feels welcomed, respected and included.

 Families, Community & Health Partnerships

We see families as our partners in children’s learning and development. Families know their children best, and we value the information, knowledge, culture, experiences and perspectives they share with us. Open communication and mutual respect are important to building strong partnerships.

We encourage families to be involved in the life of Cuddly Bear and welcome their ideas, feedback, knowledge and contributions. We share children’s learning and experiences with families and work together to support each child’s individual needs, development and wellbeing.

We value our relationships with the wider Templestowe and Manningham community and recognise the important role that local organisations and health professionals play in supporting children and families. Where appropriate, we work collaboratively with relevant health and community networks and professionals to support children’s health, development, inclusion and wellbeing.

Health, Safety, Wellbeing & Child Safety

The health, safety and wellbeing of every child is a priority at Cuddly Bear. We provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment where children can feel comfortable, develop trusting relationships and confidently explore their surroundings.

Child safety is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to creating an environment where children feel safe, are listened to, know their rights and are encouraged to speak up if something does not feel right. We maintain practices that support the Child Safe Standards, the protection of children from harm and abuse, and a culture where children’s voices, views and concerns are taken seriously.

Our educators understand their responsibilities for recognising, responding to and reporting concerns about child safety. We are committed to maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, safe practices and environments and ensuring that child safety remains central to our decision-making.

We also recognise that children are growing up in a digital world. We promote safe and responsible use of digital technology and teach children, in age-appropriate ways, about privacy, respectful online behaviour and seeking help when something makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. We are committed to the safe use of photographs, devices, digital platforms and information within our centre.

We support children to develop healthy habits and an understanding of caring for themselves and others. This includes opportunities to learn about nutrition, hygiene, sun safety, physical activity, rest, personal safety and making healthy choices.

We also recognise that wellbeing includes emotional wellbeing. Educators support children to recognise and express their emotions, develop resilience and seek help when needed. We work closely with families and relevant health professionals when appropriate to ensure children receive consistent and responsive support.

We believe educator wellbeing is also important. A supported, respected and connected team is better able to provide responsive and meaningful care to children. We encourage teamwork, communication, professional support and a positive workplace culture.

 Our Educators & Professional Practice

Our educators are one of the greatest strengths of Cuddly Bear. We value the knowledge, experience, relationships and individual strengths that each educator brings to our centre. Our long-term educators provide children and families with continuity, familiarity and a strong sense of trust and belonging.

We work together as a team and understand that consistency, communication and collaboration are important to providing quality care. We value the experience of our long-standing team while also welcoming new ideas, perspectives and approaches that help our centre continue to grow.

We are committed to ongoing professional learning and reflective practice. We regularly consider what is working well, what could be improved and how our practices can better support children and families. We welcome feedback and recognise that quality improvement is an ongoing process.

Our educators are committed to acting professionally, ethically and respectfully. We understand the responsibility we have to protect children, promote their rights and wellbeing, maintain confidentiality and create an environment where children are safe, heard and respected.

Our Environment, Sustainability & Future

We believe the environment is an important part of children’s learning. Our indoor and outdoor spaces are designed to be welcoming, engaging and responsive to children’s interests and abilities. We value our outdoor environments and provide opportunities for children to connect with nature, take physical challenges and explore the world around them. Sustainability is part of our everyday practice. We encourage children to care for our gardens, plants and animals, reduce waste, reuse resources, recycle and make responsible choices about the environment. We want children to understand that even small actions can make a difference.

Our Philosophy is not something that simply sits on a wall or in a folder. It reflects the way we work every day at Cuddly Bear Templestowe. As our children, families, educators and community continue to change and grow, we will continue to listen, reflect and review our practices so that our Philosophy remains meaningful, relevant and true to who we are.

At Cuddly Bear Templestowe, we are committed to providing a place where children feel safe, valued, respected and a genuine sense of belonging — a place where children can play, learn, grow and simply be themselves.