One of the goals of Sunrise Kindergarten is to develop a feeling of the interconnectedness of all
things and to nurture an attitude of love and respect for the environment and everything in it.
The elements of the program are carefully planned to encourage children to deepen their
concern for the welfare of others and to extend this to other living things such as animals and
plants. In this way they come to realise that all living beings are interrelated and that the
welfare of others is inseparable from their own. Through the behavior of teachers and
implementation of the program, the children learn to care for and nourish their environment and
its inhabitants.
Sunrise strives to promote the total growth and development of each child and endeavours to
create a suitable environment for this purpose. The environment is warm, loving, stimulating
and in keeping with our philosophical ideals.
All interactions with the children and decisions affecting their well-being are based on
knowledge of early childhood theories and practices.
The Centre maintains a safe, healthy learning environment. The physical space, materials and
routines are arranged in a way that creates an interesting, secure and enjoyable place in which
to learn and grow.
The program allows children to choose from various activities, which provide them with
excellent opportunities to gain greater self-mastery of themselves and their environment and to
develop physical and mental competence, social skills and universal outlook.
OUR VISION AND PHILOSOPHY
Vision
To create a loving, nurturing learning environment where children explore and develop their
unique potential together with their families and our community.
Philosophy
The educational philosophy of Sunrise Kindergarten recognises the importance of learning
respect and love for all. It is called Neo-Humanism (NH). The philosophy of Neo-Humanism
expands the underlying spirit of humanism or love for fellow beings to encompass love for
animals, plants and the inanimate.
The word Neo means ‘ever new’. In this spirit, a Neo Humanist teacher keeps an open
perspective and a universal outlook.
Because we advocate a non-harming attitude towards all living creatures, the NH education
follows a sentient vegetarian diet. Mutative foods stimulate the mind and body, tending to make
one restless while static foods are not beneficial to the mind and may be harmful to the body.
A sentient diet excludes all meat and meat products, chicken, caffeinated beverages, eggs,
fish, shell-fish, onions, garlic, mushroom and fungi, alcohol, tobacco, fermented, stale or
spoiled food.
This hand book contains our full philosophy statement and will give you a picture of how we
carry out our day-to-day work in taking care of your children.
The philosophy document is evaluated and modified, if necessary, by way of a review each
year.