Goodstart Early Learning Pooraka

Learning Through Play with a Parachute!

What started as a favourite group-time song, "Who is Hiding Under the Blanket?", soon grew into an exciting parachute adventure!

As more children joined in, one child suggested, "I think we need a bigger one!" Together, children and educators decided to bring out the parachute. The children loved hiding underneath, feeling the colourful fabric move above them, and experiencing the gentle breeze as it floated up and down. 😊

When a preschool child suggested adding toys, we worked together to gather lightweight balls. The children watched with excitement as the balls bounced, rolled, and flew across the parachute. There were lots of cheers as everyone encouraged their favourite coloured ball to stay on the parachute the longest! 🔴🟡🔵🟢

The fun didn't stop there. Inspired by the children's ideas, we transformed the parachute into a cubby house where children continued their play through imagination, storytelling, and collaboration.

This experience beautifully demonstrated how children's ideas can lead learning, creativity, problem-solving, and joyful moments together. 💛

🧡 Sea of Hearts Movement 🧡

Our children, families, and educators were proud to participate in the Sea of Hearts Movement as part of National Reconciliation Week.

Together, we decorated hearts and reflected on what reconciliation means to us—sharing messages of connection, respect, understanding, and learning together. ❤️

This meaningful initiative provided an opportunity to engage in conversations about reconciliation and our shared commitment to building stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our growing Sea of Hearts. Every heart tells a story and represents a step towards reconciliation.

Connecting the Dots through Culture

🖤💛❤️ Reconciliation in Action ❤️💛🖤

Our team was honoured to join the Reconciliation Morning Tea at Pooraka Farm Community Centre.

It was a meaningful opportunity to listen, learn, connect, and reflect alongside community members as we continue our reconciliation journey together.

We were truly inspired by a presentation from Dr Jennifer Caruso, a prominent First Nations Elder, whose words encouraged reflection and deeper understanding. Our team also enjoyed participating in creative activities and celebrating this year's theme, "All In for Reconciliation."

As part of our ongoing commitment to reflection and creating engaging learning environments, our team has proudly developed a ‘Mud Kitchen’ alongside our native garden - and it's still in progress. 😉🌿

We believe in providing opportunities where children’s learning looks and feels like play. By inviting children to explore in their own way, they discover what they can do, build confidence, and extend their learning through meaningful interactions with teachers and educators.

Through this process, children revisit and reflect on their learning as they continue to play, experiment, and imagine.

How wonderful it is to see our children exploring, discovering, and learning through play every day! 💛

Our Centre Director and Assistant Director recently attended the Flying Start Leader Forum to learn, reflect, and explore ways to continue improving the quality of our service through the Flying Start program.

Some key focus areas included:
✨ Creating inclusive and culturally safe environments that are warm and welcoming for families and community members

✨ Strengthening quality relationships with children through play-based learning and reflective practices

✨ Acting early to support every child’s learning, development, and wellbeing

Following the forum, we committed to continue reflecting on what we do and why we do it, while continuing to implement and strengthen our Quality Improvement Plan to support the best outcomes for every child. 💛

🧡 We’re In for the Sea of Hearts Movement 🧡

Goodstart Pooraka is proudly taking part in the Sea of Hearts movement for National Reconciliation Week.

We invite our children, families, educators, and community members to decorate a heart and share what reconciliation means to them. Together, we hope to create a meaningful display that reflects connection, respect, and learning together. 🌿

We can’t wait to see our Sea of Hearts grow! 💛

Connecting the Dots through Culture