Our Approach
At Kind Early Learning, we follow The Curiosity Approach and are on a journey to become accredited!
The Curiosity Approach is a modern educational philosophy that blends elements of Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Steiner, and Te Whāriki. It’s centred on bringing curiosity, awe and wonder into early childhood and creating the ‘thinkers & doers’ of the future.
At Kind Early Learning, we embrace this approach wholeheartedly.
Our environments are thoughtfully curated with natural materials, open-ended resources, and soft, home-like aesthetics that invite children to wonder, explore, and engage on their own terms. We intentionally avoid overstimulation, favouring simplicity and beauty to support focus, independence, and imaginative thinking.
Rather than directing play, our educators observe closely, listen deeply, and follow each child’s lead. We encourage independence and critical thinking by offering real-life tools, loose parts, and opportunities to problem-solve through hands-on exploration.
Moments of learning at Kind aren’t rushed — they’re discovered.
By slowing down and trusting children as capable learners, we give them the space to make sense of the world in meaningful, personal ways. Whether it’s mixing potions in the mud kitchen, creating patterns with shells, or chatting over morning tea, each moment is an opportunity for growth, connection, and curiosity.
The Curiosity Approach aligns with our belief that early childhood should be celebrated — not hurried — and that learning is richest when it’s driven by wonder.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed in collaboration with all educators, children, families and community and reflects the current interests, learning goals and developmental needs of the children. The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), WA Kindy Curriculum, centre philosophy and The Curiosity Approach guide our curriculum decision making to ensure quality learning outcomes for children.
Each child’s learning is documented through a cycle of planning and your child’s learning journey is captured via our digital platform, OWNA, which parents can access at any time. We also document children’s developmental milestones and complete a summative assessment half yearly to assure appropriate goals are being set and learning outcomes are being met. These assessments can also be shared with the child’s school and/or teacher when they transition to provide them with an overview of how your child has engaged and developed whilst at Kind Early Learning, linking to the framework and curriculum.
We believe in a mixed age approach to learning, meaning our centre is free flow for all children to interact and engage together. Our curriculum, learning environments and teaching strategies are adapted to foster individual children’s age, development, goals and interests.
Toddlers (1-2 years)
Focus areas:
-Developing secure attachments and a strong sense of belonging
-Emerging communication and language
-Sensory exploration and motor development
-Autonomy through choice and routine
Children this age learn best through safe, warm relationships and consistent routines. Our educators support children’s emotional wellbeing and self-regulation by creating trusting relationships and secure attachments with children. We foster early communication through song, gesture, and conversation, and encourage independence through daily rituals such as mealtimes. Open-ended, sensory experiences are provided to support cognitive growth and gross motor development.
Toddlers (2-3years)
Focus areas:
-Building social skills and emotional expression
-Language development and early literacy
-Physical coordination and fine motor control
-Exploration of self and others
This age is marked by rapid development in language, social understanding, and independence. We support learning through shared experiences, play, and intentional teaching. Children are encouraged to express emotions and resolve conflicts with support, as they begin to play cooperatively. Our environments invite curiosity, challenge, and experimentation through art, movement, nature play, and storytelling.
Pre-Kindy (3-4years)
Focus areas:
-Expanding identity and confidence as learners
-Complex play and problem-solving
-Collaboration and group learning
-Representational thinking and creativity
Pre-Kindy children begin to see themselves as part of a learning community. Our curriculum nurtures imagination, persistence, and independence. Educators scaffold play and inquiry-based learning, introducing early numeracy, science, and literacy concepts in context. Children engage in collaborative projects, sustained dramatic play, and opportunities for leadership and contribution.
Kindy (4 – 5 years)
Focus areas:
-School readiness and executive functioning
-Advanced social-emotional skills
-Literacy, numeracy and STEM foundations
-Agency, resilience, and confidence
Our Kindy program is designed to support confident, capable learners who are ready to transition to school. Children engage in investigations, project work, and literacy rich experiences that build vocabulary, phonemic awareness, numeracy understanding, and creative expression. Social and emotional learning is embedded daily through collaboration, reflection, and decision-making. We create positive learning environments where children foster a deep and lasting relationship with
learning, extending well beyond their time in school.