Reggio Emilia Inspired
Founded by visionary educator Loris Malaguzzi, the Reggio Emilia Approach is a groundbreaking philosophy in early childhood education that began in Reggio Emilia, in post-war Italy.
Key Principles of the Reggio Emilia Pedagogy & Approach:
Our Reggio Emilia Inspired Pedagogy & Approach is dedicated to creating an educational environment where every child’s innate potential is recognised and nurtured, ensuring a robust foundation for lifelong learning and success.
‘100 Languages of Children’:
Children are encouraged to express themselves through various forms such as art, music, movement, and storytelling.
Child-Centered Learning:
Children hold the rights to their own learning and are seen as active participants who construct knowledge through exploration. Their voice is honoured, and they have control over decisions that affect them.
Hands-On, Action-Based Learning:
The curriculum evolves from the interests of the child, emphasising exploration, creative expression, and active, hands-on learning within a nurturing and relaxed environment.
Teacher as a Facilitator:
Educators act as scaffolds, guiding children through their learning experiences rather than dictating them.
Collaborative Partnerships:
Educators and Families work side by side as partners, collaborators, and co-learners. This dynamic ensures that every child receives the support they need to thrive, with adults and children learning together.
Community, Respect, and Responsibility:
The approach instils a high value on respect, community involvement, and personal responsibility, encouraging the child’s social and emotional growth through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
The Environment as the ‘Third Teacher’:
Carefully designed spaces play a critical role in sparking curiosity and facilitating learning.
Provocations and Invitations to Play
In our Reggio Emilia–inspired early childhood setting, provocations and invitations to play are meaningful ways we nurture curiosity, wonder, and discovery.
- Provocations are intentionally curated experiences or materials designed to spark thinking, dialogue, and exploration. Rather than directing play, provocations open up possibilities—encouraging children to question, investigate, and co-construct their understanding of the world.
- Invitations to play are thoughtfully arranged, open-ended setups that invite children to explore, create, and engage on their own terms. Whether it’s an offering to support name recognition or inspire storytelling, each invitation is purposeful yet unstructured—leaving room for the child’s imagination and interests to guide the play.
Service Philosophy
HazelGrove's motto is 'Championing Children'
Competent, capable, compassionate – viewing every child as a confident and resourceful learner.
Citizens of community – fostering belonging, respect, and active participation.
Happy, harmonious, honoured – nurturing joyful relationships and mutual respect.
Home for children, educators & stakeholders – building safe, inclusive, welcoming environments.
Agency is promoted – empowering children to make decisions about their learning and play.
Act ethically and legally – upholding high standards and embedding reflective, values-based practice.
Motivated by experienced leaders – guiding with vision, passion, and pedagogical integrity.
Multicultural and secure in belonging – embracing and celebrating cultural diversity and identity.
Play-based, child-led, holistic curricula – responsive to children’s strengths, interests, and needs.
Partnerships and relationships valued – working collaboratively with families, community, and professionals.
Inspired by Reggio Emilia pedagogy – honouring the 100 languages of children through creative expression.
Inclusive practice – embracing gender, race, diverse abilities, Aboriginal perspectives and reconciliation.
Observe and notice – deeply listening to children’s ideas, theories, and curiosities.
Oversee with excellence – ensuring strong leadership, governance, and quality improvement.
Nurture with love and secure attachments – guided by the circle of security approach.
Nature stewardship – embedding sustainability and environmental responsibility in daily life.
Child Safety Commitment
We are committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all children. As part of this commitment, all staff members, as well as regular visitors, including allied professionals and specialist program teacher undergo a NSW Working With Children Check.
HazelGrove Early Education Centre's Pledge
'Committed to Child Protection & Child Safety'
Children's Voices
We ensure children’s voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives.
Embedded
We ensure that child safety and wellbeing is embedded in our organisational culture.
Policies & Procedures
We ensure that Child Protection is reflected in our policies and procedures and understood and practiced at all levels of our work.
Community
We are committed to ensuring the capacity of our sector to do the same.
Education
We will educate our educators, children, families & community to set best practice standards so that Child Protection is Everybody’s Business.
HazelGrove’s Public Commitment to Child Safety
We uphold the Rights of the Child
We actively seek to listen to & empower children
We have ‘ZERO’ tolerance to child abuse
We have systems in place to protect children from abuse
We take all allegations very seriously and respond to them consistently
We are committed to promoting a safe environment for children from culturally diverse backgrounds & for children with additional needs