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The Reggio Emilia Approach

Giving children the opportunity to immerse themselves in activities that promote imaginative and creative play.

Drawing upon renowned early learning principles from Reggio Emilia and Emergent pedagogies, with a play-based philosophy, our children are given the opportunity to explore, experiment and discover at their own pace.

About the Reggio Emilia Approach

The Reggio Emilia Approach is an innovative and inspiring approach to early childhood education which values the child as strong, capable and resilient; rich with wonder and knowledge.

Every child brings with them deep curiosity and potential and this innate curiosity drives their interest to understand their world and their place within it.


Click here to book your personal tour and discover more about the EYLF at Grace Village Early Learning Centre


Fundamental Principles

The Image of the Child: Children are competent and capable learners:

Children are driven by their interests to understand and know more. Children are viewed as active and valuable members of the wider community who are capable members of society.

Each child has the natural ability to question, interpret and understand the world around them. The educational focus at Grace Village is on the individual strengths and needs of the child and children are always encouraged to explore, have opinions and provide suggestions.

Children form an understanding of themselves and their place in the world through their interactions with others:

There is a strong focus on social collaboration, working in groups, where each child is an equal participant, having their thoughts and questions valued. The adult is not the giver of knowledge. Children search out the knowledge through their own investigations.

Our role as adults is to observe (our) children, listen to their questions and their stories, find what interests them and then provide them with opportunities to explore these interests further.

The Reggio Emilia Approach takes a child-led project approach. The projects aren’t planned in advance, they emerge based on the child’s interests.

Reggio Emilia was inspired by the Italian’s strong emphasis on the importance of family and community and the belief it ‘takes a village to raise a child’.

At Grace Village, our educators work closely with families and the community in order to provide the best possible education and care for every child. Families are encouraged to take an active role in the education process. Constant communication between the families, educators, children and other families are fundamental to this approach and creates a rich social environment for everyone involved.

Children are communicators:

Communication is a process, a way of discovering things, asking questions, using language as play. Playing with sounds and rhythm and rhyme; delighting in the process of communicating.

At Grace Village children are encouraged to use language to investigate and explore, to reflect on their experiences. They are listened to with respect, believing that their questions and observations are an opportunity to learn and search together.

It is a process; a continual process. A collaborative process. Rather than the child asking a question and the adult offering the answers, the search is undertaken together.

Watch the video:

The environment is the third teacher:

An integral element of the Reggio Emilia philosophy is the physical environment and immediate surrounds.

Driving this approach is the belief that if children are given beautiful and stimulating materials to work with, and allowed to work in an environment that is well organised and maintained, then they will, in turn, maintain and respect their own (and the broader) environment.

At Grace Village, we recognise the environment for its potential to inspire children. An environment filled with natural light, order and beauty. Open spaces free from clutter, where every material is considered for its purpose, every corner is ever-evolving to encourage children to delve deeper and deeper into their interests.

The space encourages collaboration, communication and exploration. The space respects children as capable by providing them with authentic materials & tools. The space is cared for by the children and the adults.

An emphasis on documenting children’s thoughts:

In Reggio-inspired settings there is an emphasis on carefully displaying and documenting children’s thoughts and progression of thinking; making their thoughts visible in many different ways: photographs, transcripts of children’s thoughts and explanations, visual representations (drawings, sculptures etc.), all designed to show the child’s learning process.

At Grace Village educators capture individual children’s learning journeys using a variety of means including work samples, transcripts (where we capture the ‘voice of the child’) and photographs.

These are clearly displayed within the centre and in individual portfolios, allowing families to share the process and experience with their children. Documentation also allows educators to plan ongoing meaningful learning experiences for all children.

Read more about Reggio Emilia on their website

The Hundred Languages of Children:

The most well-known aspect of the Reggio Emilia Approach is the belief that children use many different ways to show their understanding and express their thoughts and creativity.

A hundred different ways of thinking, of discovering, of learning. Through drawing and sculpting, through dance and movement, through painting and pretend play, through modelling and music, and that each one of these Hundred Languages must be valued and nurtured.

These languages, or ways of learning, are all a part of the child. Learning and play are not separated.

The Reggio Emilia Approach emphasises hands-on discovery learning that allows the child to use all their senses and all their languages to learn.

At Grace Village, we believe children have the right to express their ideas, thoughts, emotions and learning in a variety of ways.

Educators offer a variety of rich opportunities for children to express themselves through art, dramatic play, music, dance along with the ‘typical’ ways of communicating such as re-telling, creating stories, discussions and negotiations.

Through our nurturing educational philosophies, it’s our vision at Grace Village, to provide the highest level of care and a holistic experience for each child.


Click here to book your personal tour and discover more about the Reggio Emilia Approach at Grace Village


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What Parents Say

Grace Village Early Learning Centre
5.0
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Grace Village Early Learning Centre is an amazing center . My 3 yr old Son has always looked forward to attending his days . Chantel has created a caring environment that exceeds every child and... parents expectation. I loved knowing about my child through out the day through their app which their educators were brilliant at updating . I highly recommend this center . Thank you for everything you do .read more
Marina S.
Marina S.
First of all there's a child care that looks after the kids&Then there's Grace Village Early Learning centre that nurtures your kids. It is meant that a child's development begins from the pillar... and Grace Villageis a pillar. After 2 years of tenure with Grace Village ELC, I realise that there could not have been a better place for my daughter. Their professionalism is at its best. A most recommended ELC for the parents looking to enrol their kids. There is no option to give more stars or else I would give 10/10.read more
Chirag V.
Chirag V.
We could not thank Grace Village enough for the support and care they give all the children. The whole team are kind hearted and down to earth. If you send your child here, you will not regret it.... They are amazing.read more
Ricci J.
Ricci J.
My first born son attended Grace Village ELC for more than two years and was joined by his brother when I went back to work. I could not recommend the centre enough, not only do they have amazing... facilities with spacious indoor play area, lovely educators and quality programmes, they also have been great in balancing being professional and personable at the same time. I am so grateful that they have been a part of my boys' early learning and they will be missed dearly. All the best!read more
Toni Rose C.
Toni Rose C.
The educators are excellent at their job. They were really patient with my little one and helped her transition into care. It just shows that much they care about the kids. I would recommend them to... any parents looking for a childcare.read more
Gilbert V.
Gilbert V.
Grace village is a such a wonderful and vibrant childcare centre. My daughter absolutely loves attending the centre and she has thrived ever since! The educators are friendly and very patient. The... centre is well equipped with educational aids and equipment and it has a large sandpit which all of the kids love! It is such a fun centre!The directors/owners are lovely people who are also very dedicated, welcoming and accommodating.The centre celebrates Easter, Christmas and Mothers and Fathers day well, by involving the families. They put on lavish and wonderful luncheons and events at the centre. I love how they involve everyone, not just the child. I cannot recommend them enough!!! 😍read more
Jo T.
Jo T.
I have had my children at grace village since it opened, I knew from the moment I walked in and was greeted by the childcare centre owners ( Ray and Chantel) that this is where I want to send my... children. I basically was ready to sign my children up untill the centre just got better and better, they took me through the the rooms which are beautiful and then I was shown the kitchen (OMG the kitchen) the children go to eat their meals in this mini cafeteria it is the cutest thing and I loved that my children were able to see each other during meal times.Then we walked into the indoor play space and wow just wow it’s honestly something you haven’t seen before I just LOVED the fact that if it was completely pouring down rain my very active boys could still play( indoor play space) like they were playing outside.The staff are amazing!!! And i could go on and on and on about how great this place is but you have to go see it yourself.read more
Julieanne L.
Julieanne L.
Grace village has been absolute game changer for my family! My son Hamza attended and The AMAZING staff at Grace Village are the most patient, friendly, kind, warm, respectful, professional,... engaging people I've ever met. The love, security, education and energy they provide the classrooms and each child is unbelievable, they not only engage with my son but they quite often tailor activities to his needs and interests; they provide him the opportunity to "help" around the centre and they really try to maintain a positive and happy atmosphere/environment for the kids. I would highly recommend this early learning centre to everyone who is looking for a place for their child to not only learn, but to blossom and be cared for on not only a professional and educational level but a maternal level too. The educators are simply amazing. We only took our Son out as we have moved to interstate and honestly miss you team.read more
Hussein O.
Hussein O.
My grand daughter attended gracevillage for almost 2 yearsShe throughly enjoyed her time there and learnt so much with the daily activities food was great nutritious & healthy the carers were... absolutely nice & welcomingGracevillage has a wonderful lovely feel to the place I would highly recommend to anyoneI wish Ray & Chantel all the best for the futureWe will miss everyoneThank you to all the carers been and goneread more
Margaret M.
Margaret M.
Love love love all the educators at Grace Village. I am so privileged to not only work with the amazing team, but also have my little girl absolutely love and enjoy every single day in the tiny... humans room. All the educators throughout the centre show her so much love and that’s exactly what makes me want to come to Grace Village each day!read more
Gloria H.
Gloria H.
We are so lucky to be apart of Grace Village. From the amazing facility, quality learning programs to the amazing owners and educators. We couldn’t be happier to have found Grace Village. HIGHLY... Recommend!!!read more
Megan R.
Megan R.
My daughter has been attending Grace Village for the past 3 months and had settled really well and clearly enjoys going to daycare. As an anxious mum, I was surprised how comfortable I have been... leaving my daughter there every day, but I know she will be so well looked after.She is really flourishing, and the updates each day show just how much thought and care goes into planning activities for the children every week. I am so surprised how much my little one has developed in the few weeks she has been there, especially as she's only part time. Already she is speaking much more and has learned to walk (although she insists on being carried around a lot at daycare!)From the moment I walked in I knew I wanted to send her to this daycare, and we were on the waiting list for a year before a spot opened up, but I am so glad we stayed on the waiting list. It has been the perfect fit for our family and I am so grateful to all the wonderful educators, there really isn't a weak link - they have all be amazing!read more
catherine L.
catherine L.

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44 Huntingwood Drive, Huntingwood, NSW, 2148 · 1300 854 388