Educational Leader - Early Learning

Doveton College is a unique, diverse and vibrant learning community.  It is unlike any other educational setting in Australia.  Located in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Doveton College resides in one of the most disadvantaged metropolitan regions of Australia.  It is the first of ten settings to be developed in association with the Colman Foundation and DET.

In 2009, the Colman Foundation approached the Victorian Government with a desire to become directly involved in the education of young people who come from a background of disadvantage, including high migrant and refugee groups.  The Colman Foundation provided a financial contribution and continues to provide an annual financial contribution to allow for additional services to be provided which are over and above the normal funding regime for the College.  The Foundation has a goal of changing the life opportunities of young people by supporting families and communities access education, health and wrap around services with the school at the centre of the services.

Doveton College is complex in its operation; it seeks to support, foster and develop opportunities for all members of the Doveton Community including children, young people, and adults.  The focus is on providing high quality teaching and learning programs across the 0 ¿ 15 range with additional learning opportunities for parents and the wider community members.  It provides a wide range of wrap-around educational and allied health support for Baby College, Maternal and Child Health services, and Adult Learning opportunities.  Early Learning has been accredited as an ACECQA Centre of Excellence operating a long day setting, with a focus on learning through play in a structured, appealing indoor, outdoor learning environment.

On any week, the College is a vibrant learning hub with 130 children in Early Learning, 620 students in Foundation to Year 9, 150 involved in play groups, 70 regular volunteers and 150 participants in adult education courses.  Each week students from Foundation to Year 9 participate in the Doveton Engagement and Enrichment Program (DEEP) which operates as an extension to the school day and includes sports, performance, technology and artistic programs.

The community expectation is that the College will provide a safe and secure environment where the individual student can learn and develop to their full potential. In the school setting, high quality teaching and learning is non- negotiable. All staff are expected to commit to driving this agenda by their professionalism and dedication to the Doveton College vision. The Doveton College vision is clear and is based on the belief that every child will succeed. There is a commitment to:

• the potential of each of our children and young people to learn, to achieve and do their best
• empowering all our children and young people to be creative, curious, to explore, and discover - to strive and to excel
• a rigorous and dynamic curricula  to meet the needs and promote the growth of every child and young person
• a strong learning culture and team approach based on the values of respect and tolerance, high achievement and excellence, engagement, participation and leadership
• the belief that learning occurs in partnership with parents and the support of the community

The Early Learning Centre has been accredited twice with an ACECQA Excellence rating.  It comprises three learning environments; a 0-3 year old room, 3 year old kinder room and a 4 year old kinder room. Each room is staffed with high quality educators, and ratios well above the minimum level required under national laws.  A qualified ELC teacher implements a high quality education program for every 3 and 4 year old child, that is based upon the National Early Years Learning Framework and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.  Each room runs an indoor/outdoor program taking advantage of the bright airy rooms and the extensive outdoor opportunities that are accessible all year round. 

The ELC is able to access programs in the College such as PMP (Perceptual Motor Program), Music and library.  Administration services are provided to the ELC, enabling the educators to focus on the children in their care and the provision of high quality.