About us
The advancement of social justice has been a central part of the organisational roots of Noah’s Ark since its inception. Equality and fairness for all has and continues to be the focus that strengthens our service.
We believe that early childhood services play a vital role in building a just and inclusive Australian society and provide early opportunities for children to experience social equality. We believe that no family or individual should be marginalised and value individual identity. We believe that children learn and develop with socio-cultural contexts, therefore the policies that inform our practice reflect our belief in valuing diversity and difference. Our curriculum and thinking show individual commitment to equality throughout our service.
Program curriculum
Noah’s Ark embraces interaction and collaborative learning where children play an active role in their development. Each child’s individual lifestyle and background preceeds learning.
Play serves many purposes and children learn more effectively through activity rather than instruction, it provides an excellent vehicle for learning. Children need to learn and explore about themselves through play. (Piaget 1972)
Vygotsky focused on the connections between people and the sociocultural context in which they act and interact in shared experiences. (Crawford 1996)
Our philosophy
Noah’s Ark families and communities centre is a community-based not for profit centre, we provide high quality care and education for all children in collaboration with their families and the wider community.
Educators
At Noah’s Ark, all our educators are qualified and dedicated to facilitate professional intentional and spontaneous teaching, program co-creator of teaching and learning, ethical and reflective practitioners.
Families
At Noah’s Ark, we believe that families are children’s first and most influential teachers.
Relationship with each and every family is valued and respected and we work together to ensure that trusting and reciprocal communication is maintained to the highest quality.
We develop and nurture relationships with families through daily conversation and the sharing of information, ideas, knowledge, and strengths – using a variety of communication strategies and mediums. By having parent committee, families are strongly involved in the running of our centre. We believe that the structure of our centre is part of what makes our centre so successful.
Community
At Noah’s Ark, we believe that community engagement is important as it has an immense impact on children’s wellbeing and learning.
Engaging with community builds on children’s interest and expertise in being and becoming contributors to their world. These community partnerships are engaged through variety excursions and incursions in local areas and with community supports and experts.
Learning Environment
We believe that childhood should be filled with happiness, fun, and laughter.
The indoor/outdoor learning environments support all aspects of children’s learning and invite conversation between child, educator, family and broader community. Our educational approach is one of play based learning, in which children can spend time playing and developing Learning dispositions including: exploration, imagination, experimentation, curiosity, and risk-taking. At Noah’s Ark, we encourage children to engage in their natural environment, learning about respect, sustainability, and the benefits of connectedness with nature.
Children
Each child is an exceptional individual in their own rights and have their own unique way of exploring, viewing, and understanding the world in which they live. We believe that children have a voice, are capable of constructing their own learning, and are resourceful, active contributor in their educational journey. We believe that secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships provide children with a secure base for exploration and learning. Positive relationships help children to learn about their responsibility to others, to appreciate their connectedness and interdependence as learning.
Professional educational curriculum
The program is created based on play-based learning approaches and is individualized and focusing on holistic and focusing on holistic development and strengths, builds on the interests and knowledge of the children. The educational curriculum is developed in consultation with families and based on Early Years Learning Framework and National Standards as well as strongly linked with cetre’s philosophy, theories, and policies designed for children to develop their curiosity and while also stimulating their sense of belonging and & in continuum of learning and assessment of learning.
Our history
Noah’s Ark is a not-for-profit community organisation that has been providing early childhood programs and services for families in the ACT and surrounding regions since 1975. Our mission is to enhance childhood outcomes for families.
Interested in joining our team?
If you are interested in joining the Noahs Ark team please email current resume with references, Working with vulnerable People Card, qualifications, first aid qualifications and any other relevant information to director@noahsarkact.com.au. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response.