Right from its name – pronounced “hay” and Finnish for “Hi” – HEI Schools Dandenong North Early Education Centre sets the scene for a happy, exciting learning journey for up to 72 lucky kids aged 12 weeks to six years (school age).
Just opened in January, the centre is all sparkly new, with large spaces and outdoor areas purpose-designed to engage imagination and facilitate learning.
But it’s the centre’s preschool concept based on the well-recognised Finnish Early Education Model – ranked best in global comparisons – that gives parents a quite different choice.
Centre director Amanda Patris says the approach and methods are based on the latest research in education, rigorously tested for proven results in preschools across Finland. In fact, the University of Helsinki is a founding partner of HEI Schools.
“We believe in the power of creativity that leads to innovative ways of thinking and doing – raising the children of the 21st century,” says Amanda. “We combine playful curiosity and the freedom to explore, with a deep scientific understanding about how children learn.
“We recently had the Royal Flying Doctor Service visit on a Family Fun Day and children were able to learn about and use the flight simulator. Captain Tom explained the important role the RFDS play in rural communities and children could to put their new-found knowledge into practice using stethoscopes and flight communication headsets.
“HEI Schools promotes children’s capability to observe, analyse, and understand the surrounding world. We support the development of children’s linguistic and mathematical skills through different activities in everyday life.
“And through science and environmental education, we strengthen children’s relationship with nature as well as their awareness of sustainable ways of living.”
Amanda adds that socio-emotional competence is promoted by practising empathy and compassion, self-regulation, and naming and recognizing our own and others’ emotions.
Children are divided into rooms by their age: nursery, toddler, pre-kinder and kindergarten. Learning area include linguistic, science and environmental skills, as well as understanding the world. Musical and craft activities, verbal and bodily expression, and exploring and interacting each have an important place in the learning program.
MEET AMANDA
With more than 30 years’ experience in early learning, Amanda is most passionate about empowering children to be actively involved in their learning, and to celebrate and exaggerate the little things in everyday life that children enjoy and learn from.
Each day, Amanda starts with a plan and a goal to make everyday a little bit magical and every opportunity a little bit special.
She loves developing close relationships with families and caregivers so that each child’s uniqueness and interests are a highlight in HEI’s program.
HEI Schools Dandenong North Early Education Centre, 1-3 Mulgoa Avenue, Dandenong. Opens 6.30am-6.30pm Monday-Friday (except public holidays). Enquiries: 7038 0836; email amandap@heischools.com.au; or visit www.heischools.com.au; Facebook@heischoolsdandenongnorth
