At our Guardian Forrest childcare centre in Canberra, the team believes that children are not just future citizens – they are active citizens right now, with big ideas and the right to have their voices heard. Preschool children aged 3–5 years old at our Forrest long day care centre have been leading the way in a truly inspiring democracy project, one that’s sparked deep thinking, collaboration, and a real sense of community.
How Does Guardian Forrest Use Excursions in Their Leading Preschool Program?
Preschool children at Guardian Forrest take weekly walks to Parliament House, and they are surrounded by symbols and structures of Australian democracy. Led by Assistant Centre Manager and Room Leader Gemma, along with educator Bella, these excursions spark discussions about leadership, fairness, and community.
“We began exploring our local community through our Out and About walks,” says Lauren, Centre Manager at Guardian Forrest. “After the 2025 election was announced, children asked questions about who might be our next Prime Minister. From this curiosity, our project blossomed into exploring democratic processes and their own rights.”
How is the Project Supporting Children to Learn about Safety?
Preschool children at Guardian Forrest held their own election, voting peers into Safety Minister roles. These young leaders defined responsibilities and discussed what it means to keep everyone safe in the centre, signing a page to show their agreement and accountability. They wanted to have the safety childcare centre in Canberra.
“Our democracy project has blossomed into a way of being within our preschool space,” Lauren shares. “Children explore their rights and how adults can support them to be safe and heard – safety is always our top priority here. They even help review our spaces, which informs our risk assessments and ensures we see things through their eyes.”
A quality Preschool Program supporting creativity and curiosity
Democracy at Guardian Forrest isn’t just about discussion—it’s also expressed creatively. Children use clay, blocks, sketching, and painting to reflect their learning, including depictions of Parliament House and culturally significant architecture.
The preschoolers have also created their own flags, explored Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Australian flags, and contributed to a Democracy Canvas, proudly displaying the statement: “We are democratic here,”- a belief that forms part of the centre philosophy at Forrest.
Extending their creative learning, our Forrest early learning centre is hosting one of the National Gallery of Australia’s travelling art cases, exploring Australian artists, historical figures, and past and present prime ministers, bringing democracy, art, and community to life.
Creating a Constitution and Flag of Their Own
In true democratic spirit, the preschoolers have drafted their own constitution, currently open for family input and discussion. They’ve also designed their own flag, with each symbol representing something important to them and their community. Lively conversations about leadership. from choosing a “Prime Minister” to learning about historical figures in Australian government, have sparked curiosity and engagement. Preschool educators are also working with our children to write letters to the Education Minister, Early Education Minister and Safety Minister inviting them to Guardian Forrest and learn about their role in our country and immediate community.
How Do Preschoolers at Guardian Forrest Learn About Respect and Inclusion?
This project has given Guardian Forrest preschool children the chance to step into leadership roles, make collective decisions, and understand the importance of respect, fairness, and community. It’s a powerful example of how early learning can nurture capable, confident, and thoughtful young people, ready to contribute to their world.
At our Forrest childcare, the team is proud of the curiosity, creativity, and care our preschoolers bring to this project. Their learning reminds us that even the smallest voices can have the biggest ideas – and that inclusion and active engagement truly make a difference in shaping young citizens.
“Each member of our community is recognised as having different strengths,” Lauren shares. “By knowing each person’s individuality, we provide a place where both children and team members can thrive.”
Located just an eight-minute walk from Parliament House in Canberra, our early learning centre in Forrest is perfectly placed for real-world learning. Many of the families work in government departments, which has helped shape a project for children that reflects both their local context and the centre’s philosophy. This kind of initiative is why we believe that Guardian Forrest is one of the best childcare centres in Canberra! Just ask their elected officials!
This innovative project has even caught the attention of the wider education community. The Educator recently featured the initiative, showcasing how the preschoolers are actively exploring and reshaping the ideas of democracy. Read the article here.
Want to find a childcare centre that celebrates your child’s thinking, and brings their ideas to life? Find a centre close to you, and book your tour today!
