At Mosman Early Learning Centre, our educators are trained in the Circle of Security approach—a relationship-based framework that supports children in developing secure emotional attachments and strong social-emotional skills.
This approach guides how we connect with and support children throughout the day. Educators are consistently calm, respectful, and responsive to children’s needs, thoughts, and feelings. We honour children’s rights and emotions, helping them feel seen, heard, and valued.
What the Circle Looks Like Visually
The Circle of Security can be imagined as a loop or circle that represents a secure base for the child. It has two main parts:
- Going out on the circle: This is when children explore, play, and learn. They need their caregiver to support their exploration—to watch over them, delight in their discoveries, and help when needed.
- Coming back on the circle: After exploring, children need to return to their caregiver for comfort, reassurance, or connection. This is when we offer a safe haven—being emotionally available, helping children feel secure and regulated.
At the bottom of the circle is the caregiver’s role:
“Always be bigger, stronger, wiser, and kind.” This means providing both boundaries and warmth, so children feel safe to explore and return as needed.
Our educators use this framework throughout the day to:
- Check in on children’s emotional wellbeing
- Offer reassurance when a child is upset or uncertain
- Guide social interactions and play in a supportive, non-intrusive way
- Build strong, trusting relationships that empower each child
By consistently using the Circle of Security, we help children develop the confidence to explore their world and the emotional resilience to manage challenges—knowing they always have a safe place to return to.
