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Our Program |
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Our program is designed to reflect our philosophy
to create a developmentally appropriate caring and teaching environment of
the highest quality. Caregivers carefully plan to ensure the philosophy is
adhered to. Their program is designed to meet the needs of all children,
allowing for flexibility to achieve the centre's philosophy. One vital aspect of developmentally appropriate
practice is having an understanding of how children grow and develop.
Caregivers match observed actions and behaviours
with expected stages of development. Children mature at different rates and
they do not all reach the same stage of development at the same time. We
offer a variety of programs specially designed to suit the needs of all
children. Caregivers offer more challenging and difficult activities to meet
the developmental needs of children at various age groups. Our centre is a nurturing and learning
environment. The early years of a child's life are full of learning
experiences. Our goal is to make those experiences both enjoyable and
beneficial to children. We want to help all children feel good about themselves and develop confidence in themselves. Children
with confidence are able to solve problems and are better able to cope with
the challenges and changes that life brings. We develop a well-rounded teaching and caring
environment that is beneficial to children's well being. The criteria which
reflects our program is: - interactions amongst staff and children,
curriculum, staff-parent interactions, staff qualifications and development,
staffing ratio, physical environment, health and safety, nutrition and food
services and evaluation. When assessing the strengths and weaknesses of our
program, we use these criteria to conduct a self-evaluation. INTERACTIONS AMONGST STAFF AND CHILDREN The early years of childhood are exciting.
Children have a desire to learn and discover. Our program takes advantage of
a child's natural curiosity and motivation to learn. Everything caregivers do
throughout the whole day reflects the way in which children learn. Teaching
and caring are approached in a developmental way with enthusiastic interested
adults who know and understand each and his/her special needs. Caregivers
encourage self-discovery and problem solving skills, therefore allowing optimum
learning to occur. Learning at our centre is enjoyable experience that will
stay with children forever. Day to day experiences are
implemented into our practice. Children are encouraged to learn through
interactions with adults and other children. Staff plan
the environment to allow children to frequently interact with adults and
children as individuals as well as in group situations. Caregivers listen and
respond to assist children to develop in all areas. We cater for a wide diversity of backgrounds. We
treat all children with respect, physical affection and comforting children
when necessary. Children are given positive acceptance in whatever they are
doing; therefore allowing them to feel there is unquestionable acceptance in
everything they do. The way in which caregivers talk to children is
tremendously important. We encourage children to think about what they are
doing and challenge them to think further. Asking open-ended questions helps
children to be creative, solve problems and think for themselves. The way in
which a question is asked or phrased will encourage children to share their
personal feelings and experiences. PHYSICAL SPACE AND ACTIVITIES Our centre aims to provide a total environment in
which children are encouraged to ask questions, experiment, create and
explore. Our program assists children to become independent by allowing them
the opportunity to choose from a variety of experiences. We plan the playroom
and the outdoor areas very carefully, facilitating children's growth by
creating distinct interest areas. The way in which we create a program that allows
children to explore their own interests is acquired with careful planning We
constantly observe children, do checklists and evaluate our program.
Caregivers take advantage of situations that are unplanned but interest
children and provide for learning experiences to occur. They offer
flexibility and accept spontaneity in their program. Children are given plenty of space and time to
explore. We give children uninterrupted periods of play and allows them to
become completely involved in their play. When you visit our centre, you will
see that children are playing. Play creates a valuable atmosphere for
learning. Play is hands on activity where children are learning by doing.
Failure, embarrassment and incorrect responses are infrequent as our
activities are process oriented. The process of actually playing is much more
important than the end product. The motivation to learn is an important goal
in our centre as it is in any educational endeavour.
Childhood play enables children to develop essential attitudes towards
learning. As children are playing in their distinct areas
such as block, home corner, manipulative toys, art and craft, sand and water
play, book corner, cooking, music and movement, and outdoors, they are
developing skills and learning many different concepts. They are also finding
out about their world, other cultures and lifestyles and values. This will
enable them to develop and grow into adults who can meet challenges and are
willing and able to adjust to change. Our daily routine reflects our goals of providing
a well rounded teaching and caring environment. We aim to allow each child to
feel secure and independent, to allow them the opportunity to move easily
from one activity to the next as confidently as possible .
We follow the same routine each day so children know what will be happening
next. Our program is evaluated on everything that
happens within the day from the time of arrival, quiet time, noisy time,
active and messy play, to the time of departure. Caregivers observe how
children play, how they use materials, listen and talk. Planning is done
accordingly. Our physical space encourages self-learning and discovery, provides enjoyment and meets the needs of each
individual child. OBSERVER'S GUIDE Our curriculum has been planned as an open
framework program in which equal emphasis is given to the child and the
teacher in initiating learning. We have organised
the centre to promote growth in: * acting independently * social communication * problem solving, and * self expression by providing children
with a variety of challenging and satisfying experiences. While in the centre you may wish to assist us by
observing and commenting on the program. For this reason the following
questions are posed: 1. Can you see opportunities for children to plan
for themselves? 2. Are children interacting with other children,
with adults, with structured materials, with creativematerials?
Do you think there is a balance in the interactions? 3. What else do you think should be provided? 4. Are adults supporting children's own efforts? 5. What do you think children are experiencing in
this program? Satisfaction? Mastery? What else? 6. Do you think the experiences are helping
children develop educationally? 7. Do you think strategies are used to complement
aspects of teaching and caring? PARENT PARTICIPATION One very important aspect of our philosophy is
the role that parents play in our program. We acknowledge parents as a
valuable resource. We believe that parent participation is an ideal means of
bridging the gap between home and care and developing a sense of mutual
respect for one another. Sharing and exchanging information with parents is
an ongoing process. Any contribution that you are able to make to our program
will be greatly appreciated, either through offering ideas and information,
spending time at the centre, collecting "junk" materials, helping
on excursions and/or sharing hobbies, interests and skills. SEPARATING Often children protest strongly when separating
from their parents. In most instances, these protests are short lived and
your child usually has an enjoyable day. Please remember that you are always
welcomed to ring to inquire about your child and staff will always be honest
in their reply. |
