HAMPSHIRE HOUSE
Kambala embodies a culture where learning is an exhilarating journey. Hampshire House, our nurturing Early Learning School, marks the beginning of this adventure for our youngest learners.
Originally established in May 2006 to cater to the children of staff, Old Girls, and other members of the School community, the Early Learning School (ELS) evolved into Hampshire House in May 2009, named in honour of Diana Hampshire, a dedicated patron of the School.
Hampshire House’s state-of-the-art facilities now accommodate a larger enrolment, including siblings of current students and children from the broader community. Welcoming both girls and boys aged six months to five years, Hampshire House embraces the renowned Reggio Emilia education philosophy, fostering an environment where children and adults learn and evolve together. Through engaging in long and short-term projects and play, children develop their understanding of the world, supported by an enquiry-based learning approach.
At Hampshire House, collaboration is central to daily life, with educators, parents, children and the community forming a strong partnership. Parents actively participate in their child’s learning journey, and educators warmly welcome their input.
Our educational program is designed to nurture children’s wellbeing, identity and sense of agency as they grow into confident and inquisitive learners. We prioritise the development of essential educational, social, and self-help skills, empowering each child to become independent and lifelong learners, fuelled by a deep-seated love for learning.
LEARNING
During their journey at Hampshire House, children are encouraged to develop their learning through interactive discussions, debates and playful exploration.
Drawing on the Reggio Emilia philosophy, we focus on developing children’s learning through their involvement in long and short-term projects and play, which are shaped by first-hand experiences and their theories about the world.
Central to our approach is the development of strong and meaningful relationships across the Hampshire House community: collegiality between educators, parents, children and the community is highly valued and well supported.
Within this nurturing environment, they collaborate with peers, sharing a range of experiences, ideas and perspectives to enrich group discussions.
Through a culture of mutual respect, children feel empowered to express themselves freely, unafraid of making mistakes as they refine their individual thoughts and ideas. This iterative process not only cultivates self-confidence but also helps shape a positive self-image, laying a strong foundation for their ongoing educational journey.
Nursery: The Rosebud Room
Toddler: The White Room
Preschool: The Playfair Room
ENVIRONMENT
The design of Hampshire House is meticulously crafted to optimise the developmental potential of each child in our care.
Every space is thoughtfully curated, featuring shaded outdoor areas, sandpits, and age-appropriate play equipment, fostering exploration and engagement.
Our Atelier Creative Space encourages artistic expression, offering children the opportunity to communicate through various media such as drawing, painting, pottery and woodworking.
The Harbour View Room serves as a versatile activity hub, promoting movement and self-expression through music, dance, yoga and ballet. Situated within Kambala’s campus, Hampshire House provides convenient onsite car parking for parents during drop-off and pick-up times. Electronic swipe card security access is implemented for all parents, to ensure a secure environment within the premises.
- Three separate teaching spaces plus specialist areas over two levels.
- A multi-purpose room with panoramic views over Sydney Harbour, used for extra curricular activities such as Dance, Music, Tennis, Playball, Yoga, Gymnastics and special events.
- Outdoor play areas equip the three age groups with their own outdoor spaces. Each area has shade and a sandpit and is well resourced with age-appropriate activities.
- A kitchen and dining room where fresh meals are prepared daily by a qualified chef and kitchen assistant. The dining room is a warm and relaxed setting that allows children to explore healthy eating and nutrition.
- Atelier space for children to create, imagine and explore through a range of art forms including woodwork, clay, loose parts and wire construction.
- ICT incorporated throughout the rooms including access to coding and robotics, iPads and active boards.
Our Staff
Our rooms from Nursery to Preschool are led by highly qualified Early Childhood Teachers, each holding a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
Our team provides a nurturing environment for children’s development and is supported by our experienced Hampshire House Director and an Educational Leader well-versed in the Early Years Learning Framework and Reggio Emilia approach.
Our dedicated full-time Atelierista enables children to engage in creative exploration, promoting self-expression and innovation.
Our remarkable staff retention rate underscores the strong bonds formed among teachers, specialists, parents and children, fostering a collaborative atmosphere. Maintaining optimal staff-to-child ratios across all rooms ensures an environment conducive to exploration and discovery, aligning with our Reggio Emilia philosophy.
We prioritise our partnership with families, striving to cultivate a sense of community within Hampshire House, Kambala and beyond. Drawing on expertise across disciplines, from Music to Physical Education, our passionate educators focus on the holistic development of each child, empowering them to realise their full potential within a safe and supportive environment.
