My name is Tom!

I have had the privilege to be with the Kindergarten and Child Care group since 2024, I started off as our centre manager at our Plainland Kindy site then progressed into Area manager. I hold a diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. My favourite part of being in the Early Years sector is being an influential member of our community and their families. I believe that having a huge influence in our littles ones first five years of life sets our children up to be resilient and confident adults for the future.

I believe the key to success for our children’s growth and development is being open minded, empowering and empathetic.

This can be seen in our team by the authenticity in our daily practices and the level of detail our team prides themselves in.

A goal for this year is to allow our team to strive to create a sense of warmth, nurturing relationships and curiosity in our environments.

Where we let children BE children 🦋

The Raceview Way Philosophy

Our Approach to Learning

At Raceview Childcare and Kindergarten, we strongly believe children are active learners who learn best through play. We provide opportunities for children to freely explore, question, discover, and follow their own interests in meaningful and engaging ways. We view children as capable and competent individuals who are the managers of their own learning journey. By giving children a voice and encouraging ownership of their learning, we support the development of confidence, independence, creativity, and curiosity. Our educators carefully scaffold learning experiences and intentionally weave educational opportunities into play-based experiences to extend each child’s knowledge and understanding.

Environment as the Third Teacher within Our Natural Environment

We believe children learn through observing and interacting with both the natural and created environments around them. This is why we embrace the philosophy of bringing the outdoors inside and creating inviting learning spaces inspired by nature. At Raceview Childcare and Kindergarten, we strive to create a warm, home-like environment where children feel safe, secure, and supported in their sense of Being, Belonging and Becoming. We understand that children thrive when they feel connected to their environment and relationships. Our learning spaces are intentionally designed to be ever-changing and responsive to children’s interests, encouraging exploration, imagination, creativity, and curiosity. Through natural elements and open-ended resources, children are empowered to investigate, problem-solve, and engage in meaningful learning experiences.

Our Commitment

Our staff are committed to helping children reconnect with the simple joys of childhood and “get back to basics.” We aim to create an environment where children feel as confident, comfortable, and secure as they do at home, allowing them to develop independence and grow into their own unique individual selves. We believe strong relationships are the foundation of learning. Our educators work closely with children and families to build trusting partnerships and a strong sense of community. By fostering meaningful bonds, we ensure every child feels valued, respected, and supported throughout their learning journey. As Lev Vygotsky stated, “Children learn through social interaction and relationships.” This philosophy is reflected in our daily practice as educators continuously collaborate with one another and engage alongside children to promote learning through shared experiences, communication, and peer interactions. At Raceview Childcare and Kindergarten, we are proud to work together as one community.

We ARE Raceview Kindergarten and Child Care

Core Values: Be Kind, Be Connected, Be Courageous:

  • Be Kind: A learning environment built on kindness promotes empathy, respect, and cooperation. Kindness nurtures emotional development and fosters positive relationships.

  • Be Connected: Children thrive when they feel connected to others, whether peers, educators, or their environment. Relationships are the cornerstone of learning and growth.

  • Be Courageous: Children are encouraged to take risks, make mistakes, and persevere in the face of challenges. Courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to step forward and try new things, knowing that growth often comes from discomfort.