C&K Building waterfalls teaching and learning guidelines
2011 Second Edition

Inspiration
The inspiration for, and the name of the first C&K early childhood curriculum framework, Building waterfalls came from five-year-old Blake who attended a C&K affiliated kindergarten in 2004. Asked what he liked best about coming to kindergarten, Blake’s answer was quick and certain, “building waterfalls”.

The metaphor: building waterfalls provides a powerful and symbolic provocation for the C&K philosophy, and is a reminder of the capabilities of children – their strength, optimism, courage and spontaneity.

History and research
In 2006, after more than two years of extensive research, community consultation with leading early childhood practitioners, key stakeholders, parents and children, the first edition of C&K Building waterfalls was published.

Australia’s first collaborative birth to school age curriculum framework was universally acclaimed as inspiring and thought provoking, taking early childhood education to a new level. 

In 2009, a review of the first edition commenced with a broad working party. C&K early childhood educators, families and children were able to draw on more than 100 years of early childhood experience and practice to develop the C&K Building waterfalls teaching and learning guidelines (second edition). For the second edition two guidelines were developed, kindergarten and the birth to three years.

C&K Building waterfalls teaching and learning guideline for kindergarten (second edition) was approved by the Queensland Studies Authority in September 2011. The kindergarten and birth to three years guidelines were released in January 2012 to all C&K educators. A new look, new design and review of content has been refined ensuring the guidelines are relevant for an ever changing learning world.

The second edition was developed to ensure C&K Building waterfalls complemented the national Early Years Learning Framework released by the Australian Government in 2009 while meeting all requirements under the National Quality Framework.

New guideline for birth to three
Research shows the first three years is the most crucial period in growth and development for children. This is why the C&K team of early childhood educators have developed a new guideline for educators of children aged birth to three years.

The C&K Building waterfalls teaching and learning guideline for birth to three years offers all early childhood educators, whether in long day care, family day care or in-home care setting, an approach to the earliest years of care and education based upon the enduring C&K philosophy, as well as encompassing contemporary practices and understandings of the early years.

Created by and for educators
C&K Building waterfalls teaching and learning guidelines are different to other early childhood curriculums; both created by and for educators, parents and children. The philosophy of C&K, which is children learn through exploring, investigating, problem solving and negotiating, as well as contemporary international early childhood research and practice are featured throughout the second edition.

C&K believes that children do not learn in isolation. It is a collaborative process. C&K Building waterfalls teaching and learning guidelines acknowledge the important role adults - educators and parents − other children and the physical environment play in children’s learning.

C&K Building waterfalls acknowledges children as competent and capable learners, and the significant role adults play in optimising and enhancing children’s living and learning experiences.

Adults and children share responsibility for the learning process through interaction, negotiation and collaboration. International studies have proven that children learn and thrive in a warm, caring play based environment that includes parents in the learning process.

Learn more about C&K Building waterfalls
By choosing the independent C&K Building waterfalls teaching and learning guideline, for kindergarten or birth to three, all educators receive ongoing support, coaching and mentoring by C&K Early Childhood Advisors. Through support of our educators, families will see the benefits of C&K Building waterfalls every day in their child’s learning and development..

To find out more about C&K Building waterfalls, download an educator brochure or parent/guardian brochure today.