COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
We recognise that learning extends beyond the Preschool. Strong partnerships with families and the wider community are integral to our approach. Through regular communication, involvement in learning opportunities, and shared experiences, we build a collaborative community that supports each child's development.
OUT AND ABOUT: CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITY
At Newcastle Community Preschool, we believe that learning is enriched when children engage directly with the world around them. Our Out and About Program takes learning beyond the preschool gates and into the heart of Newcastle—visiting Civic Park, the Newcastle Library, the Art Gallery, the Museum, and exploring the city's natural and cultural landscape.
Learning Through Exploration
Each outing is a journey of discovery where children are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, and explore with wonder. Whether they’re counting birds in Civic Park’s fountain, marvelling at artworks in the gallery, or listening to local stories at the library, each experience becomes a spark for further learning back at preschool.
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Newcastle itself becomes a living learning space, filled with opportunities to learn about community, history, nature, and creativity. As children explore local places, they build strong connections to their surroundings and learn to see themselves as active, valued members of the wider community.
"These excursions help our daughter build confidence and independence. She talks about them for days!" – Preschool parent
"We love how these outings support their natural curiosity and let them connect what they learn to the real world." – Preschool family
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Following each excursion, educators and children come together as co-learners to reflect on their shared experiences. These reflections take shape through drawing, storytelling, map-making, photography, and collaborative inquiries—capturing the children's perspectives and extending their thinking.
Educators carefully document these moments, not only to make learning visible but to revisit ideas and questions with the children. This process of reflection deepens understanding, encourages new lines of inquiry, and celebrates the joy of discovery—together.
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At Newcastle Community Preschool, we believe in nurturing compassionate, socially aware children who see themselves as active contributors to their community. In line with our Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy, we see children as capable and empowered
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We are proud to support the SOUL Hub, a local community initiative that provides shelf-stable food, hygiene products, and essential items to people experiencing homelessness or hardship. Through this partnership, our preschool community collects and donates "shelf life goods" such as canned food, toiletries, and non-perishable items to help stock the SOUL Hub.
This hands-on act of giving teaches children about empathy, kindness, and the importance of helping others—key values that are central to our curriculum and daily practice.
READ MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
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These real-world experiences introduce children to foundational concepts of social justice and community care. Children participate in:
Discussions about fairness, equity, and human dignity
Collaborative inquiries like decorating donation boxes and posters
Family involvement, encouraging home conversations about kindness and giving
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This initiative is not just an act of charity—it’s an opportunity to empower children as citizens. It teaches them that they have the power to make a difference, no matter how small their actions may seem. By caring for others, they begin to understand their role in shaping a compassionate and connected community.
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At Newcastle Community Preschool, we believe that building a sustainable future begins in early childhood. We see children not only as learners but as active citizens—capable of making meaningful contributions to the world around them. Nurturing a respect for the environment is a vital part of our philosophy and daily practice.
Through hands-on experiences and intentional learning, we empower children to care for the natural world. Whether it’s tending to our garden, reducing waste, exploring nature, or learning about water conservation, our children are encouraged to observe, question, and take responsibility for the impact they have on the environment.
By embedding sustainability into our curriculum, we foster a sense of stewardship, interconnectedness, and long-term thinking. These early experiences help shape values and habits that children carry with them into the future, creating a generation that understands the importance of caring for our planet.
Together—with children, families, and our wider community—we are growing a culture of environmental responsibility, one small step at a time.
Sustainability isn’t just about the environment—it’s about building habits and values that support lifelong learning and well-being.
It means helping children care, think critically, and act responsibly—in relationships, in how they use resources, and in how they solve problems.
Sustainability teaches children to live thoughtfully and respectfully with others.
It’s a journey of growing empathy, awareness, and responsibility that continues throughout life.
First Nations Culture and Connection to Awabakal Country
At Newcastle Community Preschool, we acknowledge the Awabakal people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, learn, and play. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past and present, and we honour the enduring connection that First Nations people have to Country, community, and culture.
We are committed to embedding First Nations perspectives meaningfully and respectfully into our daily practice and curriculum. Children are encouraged to develop a strong connection to the land and an appreciation for the rich history, knowledge, and stories of the Awabakal people.
Our learning environment includes opportunities for children to engage with Aboriginal culture through language, art, storytelling, music, and time spent on Country. We also work in partnership with local First Nations communities to ensure our approach is authentic, inclusive, and ongoing.
By fostering this cultural understanding from an early age, we support children in becoming respectful, knowledgeable, and connected citizens who value the diversity and depth of the world they are part of.
