The centre’s program is based on the core values and guidelines of The Early Years Learning Framework, National Quality Standards and The Montessori Method of Education. The core Principle Ladders and Practices are embedded into the Learning Spaces.

The program emphasises play-based learning while recognising the importance of communication, language, social and emotional development. The centre’s reading program will be the highlight of developing children’s entry to early literacy development.

• Quality Area 1: Educational program and practice
• Quality Area 2: Children’s health and safety
• Quality Area 3: The physical environment
• Quality Area 4: Staffing arrangements
• Quality Area 5: Relationships with children
• Quality Area 6: Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
• Quality Area 7: Governance and leadership

The Montessori Curriculum covers five key learning areas, including: Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language and Culture, delivering a holistic education program that is tailored to the unique developmental needs and interests of each individual child.

Family input, children’s individual and group interests, educator initiated learning and hands-on experiences along with the centre’s own core principles make up the program for the day.

Reading Ladders

Developing early literacy skills makes it easier for children to learn to read. The centre understands that children who enter school with these skills have an advantage that carries them throughout their school years. Reading Ladders is a reading program comprising 12 books focusing on concepts of print, sounds, blending and sight words, spelling, speaking, comprehension and listening. Each child will be introduced to a world of literacy, delivered by qualified teachers who understand literacy teaching and early childhood development.

Active Ladders

Physical education teaches young children skills to enhance the quality of their life. Active Ladders is a physical activity program compiled with guidelines from Munch & Move. Munch & Move is a NSW Health initiative that supports the healthy development of children birth to 5 years by promoting physical activity, healthy eating and reduced small screen time. This program will help them develop vital movement skills such as balancing, running, jumping, catching, hopping, throwing, galloping, skipping, leaping and kicking.

Nature Ladders

Children instinctively reap great benefits as they grow a connection with and appreciation of the natural environment. Nature play significantly improves all aspects of child development – physical, cognitive, social and emotional. Playing outdoors grows resilience, self-confidence, initiative, creativity and more.

The centre’s purpose-built natural play spaces with sand, rocks, tree stumps, garden mulch and water provide children a variety of spaces to explore, investigate and discover.  Children will participate in ongoing programs enhancing their understanding of nature while developing connections to the natural environment.

Confident Ladders

The Montessori Method of Education is an approach to supporting the full development of the human being, offering a broad vision of education as an ‘aid to life’. Based on self-directed activities, hands-on learning and collaborative play, children will be guided by educators to facilitate the learning experience. 

The Montessori Method of Education offers children a sense of order that teaches self-discipline and caters to a young child’s instinctive need for an orderly environment. When children work and play in an area that is neat and predictable, they can unleash their creativity and focus fully on the learning process.

Wellness Ladders

Positive mental health in early childhood is important for children’s wellbeing and development in the present (being); and it also has important connotations for their future (becoming). Children who are supported in their mental health and wellbeing in early childhood have a strong foundation for developing the skills, values and behaviours they need to experience positive physical and mental health as an adult. Children will engage in a wellbeing program of 20 minutes daily in the centre’s purpose built ‘Wellness & Wellbeing’ room, enhancing holistic development of the mind, soul and body with simple stretches, yoga, music and quiet activities.

Inclusive Ladders

All children learn differently. This is a principle of inclusive education. In an inclusive environment, educators weave in specially designed support systems that can help each child make progress and learn at their own pace. An important aspect in today’s world is teaching children that it is okay to be different. From learning abilities to additional needs and health conditions, the centre’s educators want children to understand and be accepting of all differences. Ongoing emphasis will be placed on building children’s understanding of inclusiveness, diversity and respect for all cultures and communities.

STEM Ladders

Teaching STEM in the early years enables children to make those vital connections between everyday life and the STEM disciplines. It also lays down the foundations for future academic success because the skills learned are transferable to other subjects.

At Climbing Ladders, the educators aim to educate children with a curriculum based on four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. With a little guidance from educators, children can enhance opportunities to engage in STEM learning and develop their critical thinking skills. While building with blocks, children can build bridges and ramps, incorporating engineering and mathematics.

The teaching practices of Climbing Ladders Early Learning & Montessori Centre are inspired by The Early Years Learning Framework, The Montessori Method of Education and Reggio Emilia Philosophy where the learning environment is seen as the third teacher provoking curiosity and wonder, enabling children to explore, investigate and test out their own working theories.

The educators believe in lifelong learning and engagement of reflection. They actively seek knowledge and share knowledge, implementing a variety of strategies for reflection, continuous improvement and innovation.

6 weeks – 12 months

This room caters for babies 6 weeks of age up to 12 months. The aim is to provide a safe, engaging, and nurturing learning environment that promotes curiosity and discovery.

Climbing Ladders Early Learning & Montessori Centre is owned by Director and Approved Provider Ruwanie Pathinather. Prior to opening Climbing Ladders, Ruwanie held leadership roles in prestigious corporate Early Learning Centres with a vast experience of 30 years educating young children and shaping their lives. Commencing her teaching career at a young age of 16 overseas, Ruwanie went on to qualify herself in The Montessori Method of Education before she opened her Montessori School in Sri Lanka which catered for 160 children daily.

The team at the centre are a group of handpicked educators who are passionate about what they do, and do it wholeheartedly. They will lead, guide, love and care for the children while facilitating meaningful learning. 

These qualified and dedicated educators will create a sense of community and belonging while respecting and catering to individual needs of all children. With a thorough understanding of The Early Years Learning Framework, National Quality Standards and Montessori Method of Education, the centre’s educators will learn together with colleagues, drawing upon the diverse knowledge, experiences, views and attitudes of individuals within the group.

Critically reflecting on practices, educators will use this tool to enhance the quality of learning experiences offered to all children while developing their individual skills and teaching techniques.

I am absolutely passionate about providing an environment where children and families are offered the best possible experience, every single day. I believe that children should be encouraged to explore, investigate and experiment within their environment at their own pace. All children should be given maximum opportunities to thrive, while being nurtured and supported by their educators/teachers.

Director, Ruwanie Pathinather, Climbing Ladders Early Learning & Montessori Centre.

The centre offers children five nutritious meals for the day. The carefully planned menus are in line with National Dietary Regulations, Munch and Move recommendations, as well as the cultural and individual needs of the children. All meals are prepared by the centre’s in-house chef. 

The centre understands that habits established in childhood often carry into adulthood, and they are committed to teaching children how to eat healthy at a young age that will help them stay healthy throughout their life.

For the older children, the centre uses ceramic (not plastic) plates, bowls and cups so that children can be empowered and allowed to use ‘real’ things; which shows them that they are trusted and respected. It allows them to see themselves as capable, and teaches them to learn natural consequences, such as if you drop a glass it will break. Breakages can provide an excellent opportunity to learn about cleaning up safely from an appropriate age.

The children can learn and adjust their movements to protect the fragility of their environment. This in turn causes children to correct and accordingly train themselves not to knock against, overturn, and break things; thus, softening their movements more and more.

Breakfast:

Cereals offered with fresh milk

Morning Tea:

A variety of bread with spreads, porridge, toasts, shakes, fresh fruit.

Lunch:

Freshly prepared hot meals such as rice with butter chicken, tuna pasta, Lebanese bread with beef goulash.

Afternoon Tea:

Crackers, vegetable sticks with dips, dry fruit, fresh fruit.

Late Snack:

Vegetable sticks, fruit.