Our Program and Approach
At KU Macquarie Fields Preschool, childhood is celebrated. When they play and explore, children's imagination and curiosity is sparked – they enjoy learning, and are inspired to continue learning more.
We are proud of our reputation within the local community of providing high quality education and care that concentrates on individual children in a family-focussed and supportive way.
Our qualified and experienced educators are committed to designing learning environments and experiences that foster the development of each child across all domains of learning. Our carefully considered environments speak to children's diverse abilities and encourage the full participation of each child in a play-based program.
We strive to create a culturally responsive learning community where the rights of children and families are protected, and cultural identity and achievements are valued.
We have implemented several programs over the years that specifically target the needs and circumstances of children and families in our care. Through continuous critical reflection, we embrace diverse approaches to ensure the best outcomes for children and families, creating space for new potentialities and full participation in learning and community activities.
At KU Macquarie Fields Preschool, we view children as competent and resourceful learners. Our well-established support mechanisms enable children to fully engage in our play-based program, illuminating children's interests and curiosities.
We greatly value the strong relationships between our staff, children and families, and we look forward to the opportunity of including your family in the life of our preschool.
We Focus On
In addition to the high quality well-rounded programs we offer, all KU centres are also encouraged to develop an area of focus.
At KU Macquarie Fields, we focus on relationships with the local community, the understanding and respect of cultural diversity, and inclusion support.
We incorporate this into our program through our great relationship with the local primary school, our links to the Department of Education and visits from local Aboriginal communities. We also have strong relationships with early intervention service providers. We are privileged to have bi-cultural support workers in our preschool and this helps to promote an understanding of each other’s cultures, language and heritage.
We feel that the children benefit from this focus, because it provides them with a sense of belonging in their local community and educates them about the wonderful uniqueness of their peers.
Our Quality
Our centre has been independently assessed by the NSW Department of Education under the National Quality Standards, and we are proud to be rated as 'Excellent', the highest rating achievable.
However what matters most is what our families think...
"Thank you for making Hazel and her family feel very welcome to the lovely preschool community you have at KU Macquarie Fields. Hazel loves her days and wishes she could come along more days in the week! The team are doing a fabulous job with the children." - KU Macquarie Fields parent
"Thanks to each and every member of the KU Macquarie Fields Preschool team for the extraordinary effort and support for our child. Renee loves and looks forward to visit your care. She even asked me a couple of times as to why she is not going to the preschool every day, expressing her desire and keenness to visit 'right away'." - KU Macquarie Fields parent
Our Environment
Each KU centre is unique. The best outcomes for children are created within relationships and interactions between children and staff, and children and their families, not within four walls. We work hard to create beautiful, interesting, homelike learning environments for children – whatever our setting.
Our carefully considered environments speak to children's diverse abilities and encourage the full participation of each child in a play-based program. Our preschool has a sensory garden, an outdoor play-space with a covered learning area, a literacy garden with an amphitheatre and a vegetable garden.
Our playground is designed to allow children to explore nature and discover the natural environment. We want children to be able to dig in the mud, climb trees, discover and learn about insects and enjoy connecting with nature. The many activities we offer enable children to immerse themselves in the natural elements of their surroundings and feel inspired to create, imagine and play.
Our Awards
KU Macquarie Fields Director, Jackie Staudinger, was a winner of a 2021 ACEL NSW Leadership Award, recognising her excellent leadership of KU Macquarie Fields and the significant growth in outcomes for children and educators.
Jackie was also a finalist at the prestigious 2021 HESTA Early Childhood Education and Care Awards in the ‘Individual Leadership’ category. Jackie was recognised in these national awards for the astute and dedicated leadership of her team at KU Macquarie Fields, supporting educators to create an innovative and thriving learning community.
In 2021, the KU Macquarie Fields Preschool Team were awarded the Making the KU Difference Award to Quality, and in 2017 were awarded the Making the KU Difference Award for Communities. The Making the KU Difference Awards were introduced a number of years ago, as a way of acknowledging KU staff who have made a significant contribution to KU. These annual awards are open to all KU staff, at any level (either individual staff or a team), who have worked above and beyond their normal duties.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
KU was proud to launch its inaugural Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2016. At KU Macquarie Fields, we began our journey to develop our centre’s RAP in 2018.
