About Us
Flinders Children’s Centre Site Philosophy…
Learning We believe that children learn best when they are able to interact with others in a collaborative learning environment. Play is the foundation to which learning occurs, therefore it is supported in our program and through our intentional interactions. Explicit and implicit teaching encourages children to develop greater understanding of new concepts, especially literacy and numeracy, and is taught at teachable moments throughout the day, and through our shared group time experiences. Children are encouraged to explore their own ideas and share their thoughts with others. Educators share in this learning journey by extending play through modeling and expansion, scaffolding, and open ended questioning. This is also seen through programming around the children’s current interests and thoughts.
Community and family We support all children and families to feel welcomed to our Centre. This includes supporting diversity of language, learning, and culture. How we interact with children and families is how we promote our inclusive practices and flexible curricula. These interactions, therefore, create a diverse range of mediums, both written and oral, and supports visual deliverance as a best practice approach. Our Aboriginal support worker and our Aboriginal Families Literacy Strategies Teacher further support families through embracing, liaising and organising events which support the Indigenous culture.
Learning environment Our learning environment has a play based focus, therefore our environment provides children with stimulating, challenging and well-resourced indoor and outdoor play areas. Staff are aware of the importance of age appropriate risk taking, and support learning through exploration and self-discovery. Through careful planning and programming, staff provide equipment and experiences that children can modify to follow their own needs or curiosities. Child’s voice is a focus priority that we support through our backward programming and through our multi-modal learning environment.
Our Creative Space – The Atelier
To incorporate aspects of the Reggio approach into our learning space we created our own art studio/space (atelier) reflecting our very own culture. Our Flinders Children’s Centre “atelier” is unique to our context, and is not a replication of an atelier. Our atelier space can take on many forms, but for the most part, it’s a place for the children to let their creative voice run wild. The focus of our atelier space respects and emulates the first peoples approach to learning – in and with nature in their natural environment showing a balanced approach between Reggio and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teaching practices. The way we work with the children in our atelier changes frequently, based on the group of children we are working with, and with staff’s new learning, we are all researchers. In our atelier you’ll find: marking tools; an array of adhesives including sticky tape, masking tape, staplers, glue sticks, PVA glue, hot glue guns, blue-tac; different sized, shaped and textured papers and cards; scissors; brushes; watercolour paints; acrylic paints; as well as a vast amount of natural mediums and materials available for the children to use every day. We don’t keep things in the cupboards in the atelier. Having things hidden away can unintentionally stifle the children’s own imaginations, expressions and creativity to explore things in their own way, using their own processes. We also don’t aim to “set up” experiences in a way that “tells them” how to use the materials, the children’s “voice” is the foundation for everything we do. At the commencement of each year, the children learn how to use the atelier respectfully and purposefully. They do this by working with an early childhood educator in small groups towards their atelier licence.
The atelier licence is achieved when the children have learnt: where to find things; how to use them respectfully and purposefully; how to refill and reuse; to gauge risk and engage supervision and support where necessary; and to return things to where they were found, ready for the next person to use. We encourage sustainability, and the children learn that having so many amazing things at their fingertips comes with great responsibility. We favour “process art” whereby the experience of making is more important than the final outcome. Often there is little emphasis placed on the final product, but rather on enjoying and learning the process of creating.
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Pablo Picasso
Our educators place great importance on the ability of the child to learn the value of creativity first and foremost, without wondering if their work “looks good”. Children are also taught the “value” of their art works, we must produce our best work to share, however the idea of “best work” is determined by the child, not the adult, or in some cases, collaboratively.
Meet Our Team
Kerry
Director
Hi, My name is Kerry and I have been working in Education since 1991 with children from Preschool to year 2. I have worked in many settings from Ceduna, Woomera, Uraidla, Port Pirie and Quorn. I have worked in various roles including Director, Literary co-ordinator and Foundation to Year 2 teacher positions. I hold a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education and my strengths lie heavily in developing high quality learning programs formed around a strong image of the competent and capable child as a citizen with rights. My passion has always been to support every child to reach their full potential. I am extremely passionate in working with Aboriginal children and their families.
Deidre
Liaison Officer/Early Childhood Educator
Hi, I am Deidre, I love working at Flinders and Tji Tji Wiltja because of the beautiful warm environment here. It brings out the best in everyone in our team, and this flows on to the children. I have 15 years of experience as an early childhood Educator. Initially I worked in Tanunda and I hold a certificate 3 in Children’s Services. Before becoming an Early Childhood Educator I worked as a Dental Nurse for many years at the Adelaide Dental Hospital and Darwin Dental Clinic. I have also completed a Horticultural Course. My passion and interest is gardening, which I have bought to the Centre. I work closely with the gardener to create an authentic, beautiful garden for the children to explore and engage in sensory activities, growing produce and linking with the community to support the Centre’s garden projects. My favourite thing to do at Flinders Children’s Centre & Tji Tji Wiltja, is simply interacting with the children and watching them grow in confidence & ability. Art, gardening, music, playing…..Everything!
Lee
Early Childhood Educator
Hi, My name is Lee, I am currently studying my cert 3 in Early Childhood whilst working part time at Flinders’ Children’s centre.
I was born and raised in Port Augusta where I am now raising my 3 boys Harli, Bronx & Franki.
I was offered the opportunity to work at the Flinders Children’s centre where I look forward to pursuing a new career path with the children and families within the centre. I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of the amazing team here, I love that each day brings new experiences, interactions and challenges for both staff and children.
Maddie
Teacher
I graduated from the University of South Australia in 2021, and since then, I have worked as a Relief teacher across various locations in South Australia. These experiences have allowed me to share, learn and expand my knowledge, providing me with the opportunity to connect with diverse communities and educational sites.
During one of my university placements, I have the privilege of working at Flinders Children’s Centre and Tji Tji Wiltja Preschool. Immersed in their unique philosophy, I found joy in collaborating with the staff and engaging with the children.
I’m looking forward to this new chapter, working with a supportive team, and diving into exciting experiences for both children and staff. Let’s make it a memorable learning adventure together!
Yuri
Teacher - Aboriginal Literacy Strategies
Hi, my name Yuri. I am thrilled to work at Flinders Children’s Centre. This is my second year working as a preschool teacher in Port Augusta. Before coming to Port Augusta, I worked as a co-educator in a private early learning centre for 4 years in Adelaide. I grew up in a small country town in Japan and have fond memories of playing in the beaches, mountains and rice fields. My love of language led me to study English literature in university and study abroad in the United Kingdom. After graduation, I worked as an English teacher in Japan; however, I could not give up my dream of living overseas again and decided to move to Australia in 2013. It’s been almost 10 years since I began my adventure in Australia, and its culture, land and people continue to amaze me.
I advocate for children’s play, through which they learn and connect with others. Also, I am strongly interested in music education as my hobby is playing the piano and singing! I look forward to meeting children and families at Flinders Children’s Centre and growing together in the community.
Fifi
Early Childhood Educator
Hi, my name is Fifi, I am formerly from Indonesia. I came to Australia in 2013 where I resided in Darwin before moving to Port Augusta. I have studied and successfully completed my certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education. I enjoy playing with the children, and aim to make them more confident, give them love and build on their learning. I enjoy helping the children grow and learn and to help with their transition to “big” school. I love spending time with the children playing with playdough, or in the sandpit and dancing. I have a lot of fun at work with the other staff members and especially all of the children.
Eloise
Early Childhood Educator
Hello, My name is Eloise but everyone calls me Ellie. I was born in Port Augusta and have lived here all my life. I started working at Flinders Children’s Centre when I was eighteen, once I had completed my cert 3 Early Childhood Educator course. Over the last four years I’ve not only seen myself grow as a person but I’ve seen many children grow and become amazing individuals. I adore all the children who come through the centre and love seeing them out and about in our community. I enjoy reading to the children and following their interests to further extend their learning. I love seeing the artwork that my Dad has done not only at our Kindy but also within the local community, It gives me a sense of belonging!
Tiarna
Early Childhood Educator
I have previously worked as an SSO in schools, at Quorn Area School and Willsden Primary School in which I worked with students from Reception to Year 7.
Working with the incredible staff within Flinders children’s centre has allowed me to grow as a person and build my confidence within the centre. I love working with all the children and supporting them as they navigate their way through kindergarten, ready to transition to primary school. I have enjoyed my time getting to know the children within the centre and their families.
Jasmine
Early Childhood Educator
Hi, my name is Jasmine and I stated working in Preschools in 2021. Previously, I worked for Remote and Isolated Children’s Exercise (RICE) as a Playday and Creche coordinator for rural and remote children. I completed my Certificate 3 in Children’s services in 2010 and have recently started my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care.
I value helping children gain a sense of belonging, by providing a safe and secure environment, so that they have the confidence to grow and learn. In my past appointments I really enjoyed working as a support person one-on-one helping children achieve their individual needs.
I am really looking forward to getting to know all the families at Tji Tji Wiltja Preschool.