CORE ELEMENTS

across our programs

Core Elements: Our Team

OPENING AND CLOSING CIRCLES

When we sit together in circle we sit as equals. Everybody has the opportunity for their voice to be heard and to hear others. The circle is a place for us to land in the morning and to return to in the afternoon. We incorporate rhythm, song and story.

NATURE CONNECTION

Nature connection underlies everything we do. We are in constant relationship with the natural cycles of life. As well as explicit nature connection skills and practices, nature-connected themes are woven throughout our content, our daily rhythm, our songs, stories and activities.

CULTURAL SONGS

We have some gifted song-writers among us who craft songs based around our rhythm, themes and content. We use these songs to bring people together, to transition from one thing to the next and to allow our beings to absorb the content from different angles.

STORY TELLING, CATCHING & WEAVING

Story is a core element to all our programs. Our amazing story-tellers curate stories from around the world and from their own repertoire. We also catch and weave the children's stories.

MINDFULNESS

Quiet, inward, reflective and rest time is essential to the flow of our day. We include sound baths, meditations and sit spots to ensure that everybody gets the chance to rest and reset.

AGREEMENTS

We have 3 main agreements that incorporate all other agreements. Care for ourselves, care for each-other and care for our environment. We also place a strong emphasis on sensitivity to others needs, respecting healthy boundaries, and the belief that "stop means stop". We find this an empowering practice, and one that the children respond really well too. It creates safety and trust.

MIXED AGE GROUPING

Part of our village culture is that we take all the opportunities we can to have diversity of ages. All our programs are available for a range of ages. Some programs are more specifically separated and some are free flowing. We value the interplay and learning that occurs when younger and older children mix.

NATURAL LEARNING CYCLE

Everything that lives cycles. Every day and with each breath we experience the birth, growth, decay and death cycle. We incorporate these natural rhythms into our days and into our learning programs.

EMBODIED LEARNING

We embrace different learning styles and include a range of activities in our programs. We understand that learning occurs more deeply when it is experienced through the body rather than just the mind. We love movement, hands-on experiences and craft.

GRATITUDE

Gratitude is central to our circles and experiences. We live blessed lives and acknowledge the opportunity we have to live, learn and love in this way. On a daily basis we share gratitude for all the different elements of our lives. We regularly give authentic appreciation to local custodians and culture. We engage wherever possible with local Elders (ancestral, living and emerging).