Introduction from the Bishop
Sandhurst Catholic Early Childhood Education and Care Ltd (SCECE&C Ltd) was established in 2021 to take responsibility for the Diocese’s existing Catholic early childhood education and care centres, and to expand this service by establishing new centres. In partnership with families, parishes and the whole Catholic community, the fundamental goal of these settings is to create high quality environments where each child and family is respected and welcomed as part of God’s family, and accompanied and supported on their journey of holistic development.
This new strategic plan for SCECE&C Ltd sets out directions and priorities for the next five years, which will guide the way in which our Catholic early childhood settings help each child to grow and develop in these critical years prior to formal schooling. The plan also sets out strategies for ensuring that Catholic early childhood education and care is accessible broadly across the Diocese, and that it is inclusive of children and families who are disadvantaged, vulnerable or marginalised.
SCECEC Ltd is committed to building partnerships that pursue excellence, promote and enhance high-quality learning environments, and expand the availability of these services more broadly across the diocese. I am confident that the 2023–2027 SCECE&C Ltd Strategic Plan provides a solid foundation for this important part of the Church’s mission in the Sandhurst Diocese.
Bishop Shane Mackinlay
Bishop of Sandhurst
Our Vision
To create high quality environments, where each child and family is accompanied on their journey of development, supported by the pastoral ministry of our Church as embodied in our Sandhurst communities.
The authentically Catholic nature of Diocesan early childhood education and care, where young children will experience being part of God's family, combined with the awe - inspiring mystery and wonder of creation, will nurture and influence signficantly a holistic approach for the development of each child.
At the heart of this vision is our commitment to the ongoing duty of care that we have for the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children, a pursuit of excellence in learning and creating communities of welcome, hospitality and inclusion within the Catholic tradition.
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Strategic Enablers
The key enabler in our service are the educators for it is what teachers know, do, and care about which is very powerful in the learning equation.2 The central role of the educator is recognised by the Church who acknowledges that "teachers and educators fulfil a specific vocation and share an equally specific participation in the mission of the Church."3
[2] Hattie, J. (2003) Teachers make a difference: What is the research evidence? Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)
[3] Vatican.va. 1997. The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium [online] Available at: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_27041998_school2000_en.html [Accessed 28/19/2022].§19
The learning environment ... confident and involved learners.
Child empowerment in voice and agency ... active participants in their own education.
Innovation and collaboration ... to develop creativity, imagination and the ability to take on responsibilities.
Partnership ... to initiate everyone into the art of accompaniment.
Growth strategy ... continually called upon to follow its unfolding in order to offer an educational service appropriate to the present times.
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