About Us - Mosman

Circle of Security Approach

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.

Nurturing Curiosity at Mosman Early Learning Centre

At Mosman Early Centre we use a powerful approach known as inquiry-based learning. This method centers on children’s natural curiosity and we foster this by asking children questions, exploring their ideas and interests and building on children’s understanding through active investigation. In our early learning setting, we use the environment as the third teacher to facilitate and extend on children’s inquiries and provide an ideal foundation for developing lifelong learners who feel confident, capable, and connected to the world around them.

What Is Inquiry-Based Learning?

Inquiry-based learning is more than just asking questions—it’s about creating a rich environment where children’s interests guide their learning journey. Educators observe and listen closely to children, using their questions, observations, and wonderings as the starting point for meaningful exploration. Rather than providing immediate answers, educators act as co-learners and facilitators, guiding children as they research, experiment, and discover.

Learning Through Play and Investigation

In early childhood, learning happens best through play. Inquiry-based learning integrates seamlessly with play-based approaches, allowing children to explore topics through hands-on experiences, storytelling, art, science, and group discussions. Whether it’s exploring the lifecycle of a butterfly, investigating how water moves, or understanding where our rubbish goes, children are deeply engaged in learning that feels relevant and exciting to them.

The Role of the Educator

Educators play a vital role in nurturing inquiry. This dynamic relationship fosters a sense of partnership in learning, where educators and children learn together. Educators at Mosman Early Learning Centre:

Observe and document children’s interests and ideas
Ask open-ended questions to prompt deeper thinking
Provide materials and resources that support investigation
Create flexible spaces where exploration is encouraged
Encourage reflection and sharing of ideas

Benefits of Inquiry-Based Learning in Early Childhood

Encourages critical thinking: Children learn to ask questions, make predictions, and test ideas.
Fosters independence and confidence: Children take ownership of their learning and feel proud of their discoveries.
Builds communication skills: Collaborative learning helps children express their thoughts and listen to others.
Promotes environmental and social awareness: Real-world projects help children see their role in the community and environment.
Supports holistic development: Physical, emotional, social, and cognitive domains are all engaged through active learning.

The Heart of Our Centre: Our Educators and Daily Practice

At Mosman Early Learning Centre, we believe that a strong, supportive team of educators is the cornerstone of a high-quality early learning experience. Our qualified and passionate educators are dedicated to building secure, respectful, and reciprocal relationships with every child and family. We provide safe, engaging, and predictable environments where children feel confident to explore, learn, and grow.

Each day begins with smiles, cuddles, and warm greetings, helping children settle in and feel a sense of belonging from the moment they arrive. Throughout the day, our educators work collaboratively—both with each other and with the children—to observe, plan, and implement experiences that reflect each child’s interests, strengths, and developmental needs.

Children’s learning is carefully documented in individual portfolios, which showcase their progress through observations, photos, and samples of their work. We also use our digital app to provide families with regular updates, including photos and a daily summary—offering a window into your child’s experiences and learning.

As the day comes to a close, home time becomes an opportunity to connect. We love sharing stories from the day, celebrating achievements, and discussing future goals with families. This open and ongoing communication helps build strong partnerships and ensures we are all working together in the best interest of each child.

A Nature-Filled Program Rooted in Respect and Sustainability

At Mosman Early Learning Centre, nature and sustainability are woven into the fabric of our daily program. We are passionate about fostering a deep love and respect for the environment, and we work collaboratively—with children, families, and the broader community—to care for the world around us.

Sustainable practices are thoughtfully embedded into everyday routines and learning experiences. Children play an active role in caring for our kindy animals—including our friendly guinea pig and our colourful fish —and help maintain our vibrant community garden. The fruits and vegetables we grow are harvested with care and used in our kitchen to prepare fresh, nutritious meals each day.
Our learning environment emphasizes the use of natural, recycled, and repurposed materials, encouraging children to explore and create in ways that are mindful of our planet. Hands-on activities, such as regenerating bushland and engaging in nature-based projects, deepen children’s understanding of environmental stewardship.
Each week, our preschool children venture beyond the kindy gates for excursions to local parks and bushland. These regular experiences in nature nurture a respectful connection to Country and instill a lasting appreciation for the natural world.
At Mosman Early Learning Centre, we believe that time spent in nature cultivates calmness, connection, and curiosity—opening up endless opportunities for rich, meaningful learning that will stay with children for life.

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