Sometimes the best ideas come from simply following the children’s lead.
Recently, Creative Childcare Kotara was transformed into a colourful art gallery as the Van Gogh Preschool children proudly showcased artwork alongside the centre’s School Readiness Information Evening.
The exhibition was inspired by something educators had noticed throughout the year, the children’s growing love of art and painting. Rather than letting that interest come and go, educators embraced it, creating opportunities for the children to explore different artists, experiment with new techniques and express themselves through a range of creative experiences.
As the children’s artwork continued to grow, so did the idea of creating a gallery where families could celebrate everything they had achieved. The evening not only gave parents the opportunity to explore the children’s artwork, but also to see firsthand the learning that had taken place in their day-to-day learning.
One of the highlights of the exhibition was the children’s collaboration with Creative Childcare’s Indigenous Cultural Advisor, Maree Bisby. Working together, the children shared their ideas while Maree created the outlines for a large canvas mural before everyone joined in to paint the artwork. Maree then added the finishing touches before returning the completed canvas to the centre, where it now hangs proudly in the foyer.
The children also created their own individual canvases inspired by an Acknowledgement of Country, encouraging conversations about respect, belonging and connection to Country through art.
Maree regularly visits the centre throughout the year, particularly during NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week, sharing her knowledge and working alongside the children on creative projects. Her ongoing involvement reflects Creative Childcare Kotara’s commitment to embedding Indigenous perspectives into everyday learning and building meaningful connections with the local community.
The gallery also featured the children’s own interpretations of Vincent van Gogh’s famous Starry Night, alongside a collection of artwork created throughout the year. One of the most rewarding parts of the evening was watching the children proudly show their families around the room, explaining their artwork and sharing the stories behind each piece.
Representatives from two local primary schools and Eat Talk Play Speech Pathology also attended the evening, giving families preparing for school the opportunity to connect with local education and support services.
For the children, it was much more than an art exhibition. It was a chance to celebrate their creativity, share their learning with their families and see just how far their interests can take them.
