ECEC Provider in Focus – FROEBEL Australia

ECEC provider in focus – FROEBEL Australia 

 

FROEBEL Australia is a not for profit early education and care provider that owns and operates five services across New South Wales and Victoria. It is also the organisation behind the acclaimed STEM professional learning program, Little Scientists. 

 

What is the history of the FROEBEL group in Australia?

 

The Group was established in 2009 by the Berlin based FROEBEL Group, with its new Australian organisation led by Managing Director Olde Lorenzen, a German native who migrated to Australia with a vision to establish a network of early learning services under the FROEBEL banner.

 

FROEBEL is Germany’s largest non-profit provider of early childhood education and care (ECEC), with 224 services across Germany, Poland and Australia. 

 

Where are FROEBEL services currently located?

 

There are two services in Sydney, FROEBEL Alexandria and FROEBEL St Leonards and three in Melbourne, FROEBEL Parkville, FROEBEL Fitzroy North and FROEBEL Carlton. 

 

The services range from 44 licensed places in Alexandria up to 100 licenced places in Parkville, with two of the four services rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standard, and two rated as Meeting. 

 

FROEBEL Carlton has yet to be rated as it is the newest service, having opened in January 2021. 

 

What is FROEBEL’s vision and approach to early learning?

 

FROEBEL’s vision is for “every child to have the opportunity to grow into a curious, capable, caring and contributing global citizen, beginning with an empowered childhood.” FROEBEL’s Quality and Compliance Manager Manager, Leora Aksman-Glosz said:

 

“Strongly committed to continuously reimagine and further early education in the light of contemporary research and practice.” 

 

“We believe that excellence in the design of learning environments paves the way for excellence in early learning programs.”

 

We challenge the status quo and aim to be at the forefront of progress that will benefit young children and families. We make time for reflection to cultivate strategic and creative thoughts, and always dream big.”

 

Are there any unique aspects to the FROEBEL offer?

 

Yes, there are. 

 

FROEBEL champions inquiry-based early STEM learning and education for sustainability and considers immersive language learning to be a core component of their early learning services.

 

Through the concept of immersive language learning the team embed the second language holistically within the curriculum, not through set language learning times during the day. 

 

In addition, the leadership are keenly focused on physical environments, making extra efforts to ensure that learning spaces are progressive and innovative. 

 

When describing the design process for its new Carlton service Mr Lorenzen said, “We have pushed the boundaries from a design perspective by not only considering the children’s learning experience but our educators’ well-being too.”

 

“The environments actively tackle the stressors most common in an ECEC setting. They differentiate between active play zones and areas for quiet retreat, creating diverse opportunities for children and educators to engage, providing places for democratic debate, and stimulating children’s agency and self through mindful design for education.”

 

What is their approach to educator professional learning?

 

FROEBEL Australia has a strong commitment to continuous professional development of their early childhood teachers and educators, with generous access to further training embedded in its policy framework. In addition, FROEBEL launched their very own FROEBEL Future Leaders Program (FFLP) in 2017.

 

Theoretically underpinned by the Early Childhood Australia Leadership Program the FFLP focuses on everyday leadership with a commitment to fostering inquiry and action research, in an environment where it was safe to play with theory and to experiment with applications.

 

The program duration is twelve months and available to FROEBEL team members. 

To learn more about FROEBEL Australia visit the website or the dedicated careers page for current opportunities.

 

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