Committed to helping children learn, explore and grow in a peaceful and purposeful holistic environment, in the bustling world of early learning centres, Harmony Early Learning Journey shines like a bright star.
To say Harmony offers a learning journey is an understatement; more accurately, it’s an odyssey. One that is holistic and child-led with educators valuing and responding to children’s ideas and interests.
Established in 2016, founders Chris and Gabrielle Giufre used their extensive experience in the sector to bring something new to the market.
Operating 15 early learning centres across Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales, Harmony differentiates from others through their holistic approach to each child’s learning journey.
Having recently acquired a facility in Varsity Lakes, the business has an extensive acquisition schedule and a growing network of centres, with four new sites in development including Griffin, Burleigh and Bulimba.
Working closely with families, Harmony treats children as the protagonists of their own stories, fostering a safe place where they can build their confidence and abilities as learners.
Laurie Begni, CEO for Harmony Early Learning Journey, says they see all children as capable individuals with their own strengths and knowledge and as co-constructors of their education along with peers and educators.
Applying evidence-based best practice in early childhood, Harmony uses play as the context for children’s learning.
“It’s essential that educators have secure relationships with children as the foundation for learning, as this provides them with a sense of confidence to engage in new experiences, explore environments and take risks in their learning,” he says.
“Coupled with the work of respected global theorists of early childhood, our holistic approach is drawn directly from contemporary educational and human research.
We’ve partnered with international experts in playscape and environment design and heavily invest in the professional development of our educators and support teams.
At Harmony, the continuous growth and capability of educators hold paramount importance, and this is achieved through a unique organisational structure and ongoing partnerships with industry experts.
Each centre boasts a full-time Educational Leader, who works with Harmony’s Quality Management team to develop a teaching and learning framework which aligns with contemporary research in early childhood education and care.
Harmony’s educators co-plan activities with children during morning meetings and build on their interests and ideas.
This includes children having a choice of indoor and outdoor learning, collaborative play, projects, investigating topics of interest, imaginative and socio-dramatic creative play, engagement in the arts and more.
“Children being active participants in their learning means they make choices and contribute to decisions about learning experiences,” says Laurie.
“We also acknowledge the environment as the ‘third teacher’ and provide engaging indoor and outdoor spaces that invite children to participate in different types of play, investigation, and real-life experiences.”
The core of Harmony is to create beautifully rich aesthetic environments to support children’s learning and evoke wellbeing in a harmonious space.
“Environments affect our outlook and how we feel,” says Laurie.
“Our approach is to create a sanctuary that creatively supports the needs of children, families and educators and inspires dialogue, development and ongoing conversation without compromising aesthetic.”
Harmony’s style is youthful, expressive and fun, evoking warmth through imaginative design with growth, serenity and peacefulness in mind.
Serene indoor environments are clean, uncluttered and organised and feature plush décor, natural timber finishes, vibrant plants, soft ambient lighting, custom-designed wallpaper and rugs; all while speakers filter gentle music throughout the centre.
“Design considerations are made from the lens of a child, such as visual satisfaction, play, comfort and function while also ensuring safety, durability and sustainability,” says Laurie.
“We invite children to move around and make use of their shared space at Harmony freely.
“Our spaces are largely influenced by an alchemic combination of functionalist and décor resulting in a creative approach to furniture and resource placement and the way children can move through these spaces.”
While the indoor aesthetic projects tranquillity, Harmony’s outdoor natural environments are intentionally curated to support wondrous opportunities for creative free play.
“Our outdoor spaces offer an abundance of exploration, different activities and create meaningful and lasting nature experiences for children,” says Laurie.
“Stunning gardens and landscapes are rich with native flora that attracts wonderful local fauna such as birds, butterflies, and native bees.
“There are safe climbing and water play areas, outdoor worktables and numerous areas are cultivated with flowerbeds and vegetable gardens.
“This offers children plenty of places that allows for hands-on sensory play in a fun and spectacular environment.”
With the essence of holistic education infused into every aspect of Harmony’s approach to early learning, every child’s journey is nourished by a vibrant foundation of growth, discovery and imagination.
