Gowrie SA was established in 1940 as a demonstration and model child and family centre. Staying true to our origins, we continue to lead the development of innovative and responsive services for children, families and the education and care sector. We operate four programs:
• Professional Learning Program: online learning, face to face and in-house learning, consultancy services and professional learning sessions for educators across the sector.
• Children’s Programs: Our integrated early childhood programs support children’s development through inclusive, play-based individual and group learning opportunities. Our two sites (Thebarton and Underdale) offer unique outdoor environments and natural garden settings.
• Inclusion Agency: Our multi-disciplinary team of Inclusion Professionals provide free inclusion support services under the Australian Government’s Inclusion Support Programme (ISP).
• Parenting Programs: Our Circle of Security Parenting program is offered in Thebarton and Whyalla. A playgroup also operates in Whyalla.
Our programs are supported by highly qualified educators from diverse backgrounds, who demonstrate reflective and research-based practice. Gowrie SA has a strong commitment to professional development, supporting its employees to gain skills and qualifications.
We are not for profit and community-based, committed to furthering the rights, wellbeing and learning of all children. Children and families are central to our work and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is an underpinning framework for our practices. The core themes ‘inclusion’, ‘relationships’, ‘partnerships’ and ‘child and adult learning’ make up the Gowrie SA philosophy.
Gowrie SA is on Kaurna land. Our organisation welcomes all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, recognising that they are the traditional owners and custodians of the land and waterways throughout our country.
As part of our second Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2020-2023 we