Welcome to the Kornmehl Centre Emanuel Pre-School, where we create a nurturing and vibrant space for children to learn and grow. Believing in the power of holistic education, our approach intertwines the mind, spirit, and being, aligning with our commitment to safety and a sense of belonging.
At Kornmehl Centre Emanuel Pre-School (Kornmehl Pre-School) we believe that all children have the right to experience learning that is engaging and builds success for life. (Early Years Learning Framework). We embrace a holistic approach to teaching and learning, with our priority being to is ensure each child feels safe, secure and supported, with a sense of belonging and the opportunity to flourish and learn.
Kornmehl Pre-school provides a child safe environment by supporting children and young people, their parents, guardians, families, and communities, and by ensuring all staff and volunteers are committed to safeguarding children.
Much of our thinking has been influenced by a range of key active approaches to early childhood, particularly the Reggio Emilia approach, Early Years Bush Connections, the Early Years Learning Framework, National Quality Standard. Our thinking is also shaped by our Jewish Heritage.
We nurture each child’s innate sense of curiosity and wonder, using these attributes to foster a lifelong love of learning and provide a foundation for children to become responsible social citizens of the world.
We believe in the power of collaborative learning, where children work together, plan, engage in shared thinking and ideas, reflect and help their peers. We encourage the development of meaningful and respectful relationships and assist the children to relate effectively to others.
Terry Aizen
Director of Kornmehl Centre Emanuel Pre-school
Role of our Educators
At Kornmehl Pre-School we engage in intentional teaching that makes learning purposeful, thoughtful and deliberate. This reflective practice is ongoing and enriches decision-making, developing a culture of professional enquiry.
Children’s learning is made visible for families, the wider community and us through different forms of documentation. Their portfolios include anecdotal records, conversations, magic moments, photographs, creative expression, and pedagogical documentation that celebrates each child’s personal dispositions towards learning and displays their achievements and development.
Literacy and numeracy skills are learnt in the context of play and through responsive and intentional teaching.
Image of the Child
Each child is treated individually and with respect. We nurture each child’s spirit of inquiry and lifelong love of learning and provide a foundation for them to become responsible citizens of the world.
We see the child as capable, competent, creative, responsible, resourceful and resilient – full of potential, a child who is rich, curious, full of wonder and with a hundred languages – a hundred hands, a hundred thoughts, a hundred ways of thinking, of playing, of speaking, of marvelling, dreaming and seeing (Malaguzzi, L. 1993).
Learning through Play
We believe that children learn best through play, which is the “heartbeat” of our Kornmehl Pre-school Program.
Play provides opportunities for children to learn as they experiment, explore, discover, create, improvise and imagine. It encourages children to ask questions, solve problems and engage in critical thinking.
We provide the children with a variety of experiences, materials, equipment and time to explore through active involvement. We know that children come to the Kornmehl Centre with a history and wealth of experiences.
Pre-School Jewish Life
Through our daily practice, the children’s knowledge and understanding of the traditions and importance of a Jewish heritage are celebrated and cultivated. Kornmehl Centre Pre-School supports and celebrates diversity, honouring our heritage by providing a rich and unique learning experience that values family, history, traditions and cultures.
Children feel valued as they come together for Kabbalat Shabbat and enjoy the warmth, spirituality and sense of community that this creates. We embrace all Jewish festivals with enthusiasm and teach the values of Miztvot, Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam. In keeping with our ethos, Hebrew is taught by a specialist teacher and it is integrated into the daily life of the Pre-school.
Inclusion, Respect, Social Justice and Acceptance
We strive to connect the children to the land, acknowledging the land on which our Pre-school stands is sacred to the Gadigal people.
Our program includes and supports children and families with diverse abilities and perspectives.We extend this attitude of acceptance and respect to visitors, students and Pre-school staff members.
For us as educators, this also means promoting a greater awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and being. We strive to connect the children to the land, acknowledging the land on which our Pre-school stands is sacred to the Gadigal people.
Relationships and Learning
We believe in the power of collaborative learning, where children work together, plan and engage in shared thinking and ideas, reflecting and helping their peers. We value the importance of developing meaningful, respectful and positive relationships.
We believe in the importance of learning to relate to others and that a child’s social and emotional development is as important as his/her cognitive development. At Kornmehl Pre-school, we strive to create a culture of listening together with the children, families and educators, where everyone’s voice is heard, valued and feels they belong.
We acknowledge that families are the most important people in their child’s life and that they have the biggest influence on their child’s learning. It is therefore our priority to work closely and collaboratively with families and children. We encourage an inclusive culture, where children, families and staff communicate effectively and respectfully.
Environment (Bush School)
We encourage an awareness of environmental responsibilities and implement practices that contribute to a sustainable future.
Our environment evokes imagination, inspires creativity and supports relationships between children, educators and parents.
It is the third teacher, reflecting the interests of the children. Learning areas encourage small group collaboration and independence.
We acknowledge the benefits of children spending significant time in nature, where adventure, risk and challenges enhance the children’s confidence, physical skills, joy and wellbeing. We encourage an awareness of environmental responsibilities and implement practices that contribute to a sustainable future.
The philosophy and ethos of Kornmehl is more than concepts on a page. The philosophy is the heartbeat of the Pre-school and interwoven in each interaction, activity and connection made at the Kornmehl Pre-school. While the Jewish values, focus on the environment, social justice and tolerance are all fundamental to pre-school, what makes Kornmehl so special is the effort for connection that the educators make, not only to the children but to the families as well. The genuine interest, care and compassion displayed by each educator in their interactions with parents and grandparents, fosters a sense of collaboration and inclusivity, which underlies what makes Kornmehl more than a pre-school, but ultimately a community and family.
The strength of the Kornmehl Pre-school philosophy is that it is authentic and honoured in all that it does. While its beautifully articulated in this document, to me the real testament to it, is the feel you get when you enter the space - the smiles on the children's faces, the warmth and engagement of the educators, the creativity and flexibility of the spaces (inside and out) and the general joy and love for Judaism, our environment and each other that is exuded. It truly is a special place where the children can feel nurtured to explore and begin to make sense of their community and more broadly their world.
Kornmehl Pre-school has had an incredible impact on the growth of our children. From our first child leaving and our second child starting, there was a one-year gap and we were so happy to be able to experience the culture all over again. We never have a doubt that our child is getting the most nurtured, dedicated, and tailored education possible. The educators are demonstrably committed to living the values of community and play. We couldn't be happier with the care at Kornmehl.
Your unwavering commitment to nurturing and educating our children is evident in every smile, every lesson, and every comforting moment you provide. We are filled with immense gratitude for the incredible work you do daily. Your dedication to the wellbeing and healthy development of our children is truly remarkable. You create a safe, loving, and enriching environment that allows them to flourish. Thanks for your unwavering dedication, your boundless patience, and the love you pour into your work. You are shaping the future, one child at a time, and for that, we are forever grateful.
I am overwhelmed with gratitude and warmth for the incredible care and education Kornmehl has provided to our son, Asher, during his time at Kornmehl Pre-School. It's been truly remarkable to witness the growth and development Asher has experienced under your guidance. The love, patience, and dedication you show him on a daily basis have not only nurtured his mind but have also fostered his emotional well-being. Your commitment to creating a safe and nurturing environment has made a significant impact on his life and, by extension, our family as a whole. From the moment we first walked through the doors of Kornmehl Pre-school, it was evident that this was a special place. Your professionalism, kindness, and genuine care shine through in every interaction. Asher's enthusiasm and excitement to attend school each day are a testament to the positive atmosphere you have cultivated. It's heart-warming to see him develop new skills, make friends, and gain confidence in his abilities.