At New Horizons Preschool, our curriculum is inspired by the principles of the Reggio Emilia Educational Project, contemporary inquiry pedagogies and the Australian Early Years Learning Framework. We believe curriculum is much more than planned activities or weekly themes. It is created through the relationships we build, the questions children ask, the ideas they develop and the experiences we share together each day.

Our educators carefully observe children’s play, conversations and interests, using these moments to guide meaningful learning experiences. While children’s curiosity provides the starting point, educators intentionally extend their thinking through thoughtful questions, carefully designed environments and purposeful teaching.

One School, Shared Inquiry

A unique feature of New Horizons Preschool is our whole-school inquiry model.

Every two years, our school community explores one overarching inquiry that connects every class and learning program. Rather than every child completing the same activities or projects, each class explores the inquiry through its own questions, interests and experiences. This allows children of different ages to investigate the same big ideas through developmentally appropriate experiences, while remaining connected as part of a shared learning community.

Our current whole-school inquiry is Community.

Throughout this inquiry, children are exploring what it means to belong, contribute, care for others and participate in the communities around them. Each class approaches these ideas in its own way, responding to the interests, theories and questions of the children within that learning community.

Our 2027 whole-school inquiry will be announced later this year.

Intentional Teaching

Play is at the heart of our curriculum, but it is never left to chance.

Our educators intentionally design environments, ask meaningful questions and create experiences that extend children’s thinking. Literacy, numeracy, scientific thinking, creativity and problem solving are thoughtfully embedded throughout everyday experiences, allowing children to develop important knowledge and skills in ways that are meaningful, engaging and connected to their interests.

Rather than separating learning into individual subjects, we recognise that children naturally develop literacy, numeracy and critical thinking as they investigate ideas that are important to them.

Learning Together

Central to the Reggio Emilia Educational Project is the belief that children are capable, competent and active participants in their own learning. At New Horizons Preschool, our educators work alongside children as researchers and co-learners, encouraging them to ask questions, test theories, solve problems and reflect on their discoveries. Families are an important part of this process, helping us build a curriculum that reflects the strengths, cultures and experiences of our school community.

Making Learning Visible

Documentation is an important part of our curriculum.

Through photographs, conversations, children’s work and educator reflections, we make children’s learning visible to families, educators and the children themselves. Documentation helps us understand children’s thinking, celebrate their learning journey and thoughtfully plan where an investigation might lead next.

Rather than simply recording what children have done, our documentation captures how children think, collaborate, question and make meaning of the world around them.

To learn more about the educational philosophy that inspires many aspects of our curriculum, visit our page on the Reggio Emilia Educational Project.