A Guide for Perth & Fremantle Families on Identifying a High-Quality Early Learning School or Childcare Centre
The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for rapid brain development, establishing the basis for all future learning. Parents understand that the environment their child experiences during this vital period is immensely important. Additionally, families place significant trust in child care providers to care for and educate their children, making it vital to choose high-quality care.
At The Akidamy, we have built our schools in Perth and Fremantle around this profound understanding. This guide explains the evidence-based principles we live by, offering all parents a framework for what to look for when choosing a centre.
Please look at our biannual magazine, Illumina, to see what we do in action at the School.
Our Guiding Philosophy: Why We See the Environment as a “Third Teacher”
Our work begins with a powerful guiding philosophy. We are deeply influenced by the world-renowned Reggio Emilia approach, which views the environment itself as a “third teacher”—an active participant in your child’s education. You can learn more about this approach from the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE). At its core, this means every element of our school is intentionally designed to provoke curiosity, encourage collaboration, and empower children as architects of their own learning.
At The Akidamy, this is how we bring that philosophy to life:
- In our Nursery Studio, the environment is a sensory wonderland, building crucial neural pathways through responsive care.
- In our Toddler Programmes, the environment offers choice and agency, fostering vital executive function skills.
- In our Kindergarten Studios, the environment supports complex projects, focusing on creativity, critical thinking, and school readiness.
Our Foundation: How Our Philosophy Creates a Foundation of Safety
This philosophy is grounded in the most fundamental human need: safety. A child’s ability to learn is inseparable from how safe they feel—physically and emotionally. All licensed services in Australia are guided by the National Quality Standard (NQS), a benchmark you can learn about at the official government authority, ACECQA.
This national standard is our starting point. We build upon it to create an environment of deep trust.
- Spaces Engineered for Safe Exploration: Our studios are meticulously arranged for safety and accessibility. Furniture is chosen for stability, materials are non-toxic, and the layout empowers children to navigate their world with confidence.
- Attentive, Relational Supervision: True safety comes from strong relationships. Our high educator-to-child ratio allows for genuine connection, building the trust that, according to Bowlby’s Attachment Theory, is essential for confident exploration.
- A Culture of Well-being: We maintain uncompromising standards of hygiene. More than that, we empower children to understand and take ownership of their own well-being as part of our daily rhythm.
For more information, the government’s Starting Blocks website is an excellent resource for families.
Our Practice: How We Bring Learning to Life with Curious Minds
With a foundation of safety firmly in place, our environment blossoms into a landscape for learning. We choose high-quality, open-ended materials—smooth river stones, fragrant wood blocks, flowing silks—that invite imagination over instruction.
Our outdoor spaces are just as vital. They are designed to support the development of the crucial vestibular and proprioceptive systems—the foundations of balance and focus. Whether climbing, balancing, or engaging with the natural gardens at our Fremantle location, children are developing their bodies and brains in beautiful synchrony. This commitment to play-based learning, recognised as essential by Early Childhood Australia (ECA) and backed by landmark studies like the Perry Preschool Project, is central to our practice.
Our Partnership: Extending Learning Beyond Our Walls
We believe learning is a partnership that extends beyond our walls. A great early learning experience empowers families, and we encourage you to support your child’s journey at home:
- Create a ‘Yes’ Space: Designate a child-safe area where your child can play freely, building their autonomy.
- Rotate Toys & Materials: Keep a small selection available and rotate them weekly to encourage deeper, more creative engagement.
- Follow Their Curiosity: Observe what your child is fascinated by and provide simple materials to help them investigate that interest.
See Our Principles in Action
Choosing an early learning centre is a journey to find a community that will honour your child’s potential. We are proud to have created an environment that does just that.
For families in Perth and Fremantle interested in seeing how these evidence-based principles are brought to life, we warmly invite you to visit our schools. You can get a feel for our approach by booking a tour of our Perth or Fremantle location.
