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
Citizens of community
Children’s Right is championed
Happy, Harmonious & Honoured
Home for children, educators & stakeholders
Agency is promoted – children supported, championed
Act ethically, legally– leadership, governance, law
Motivation – by experienced leaders
Multi-Cultural – secure in belonging
Play based – child led. ongoing, dynamic, and holistic curricula
Professional Development & research guides continuous improvement
Partnerships & relationships with all stakeholders is valued
Inspired by Reggio Emilia pedagogy, 100 Languages of children
Inclusion – gender, race, multi-cultural, diverse needs, Aboriginal perspectives, Reconciliation Action Plan
Oversee – excellence in leadership, governance, embedding practice
Nurture – love, attachments, circle of security
Nature – sustainability, looking after the environment
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'
Childen'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