The Creative Child Learning Centre’s Program Statement
We believe at the Creative Child Learning Centre that all children are competent, capable, curious and rich in potential. How does learning happen? They learn and thrive best when their interests are captured. Therefore, we look to each child to guide us in their learning. Their curiosity and ideas become key components in our everyday curriculum.
The early years of a child’s life are fundamentally important. This is a time when children are developing self-esteem, sense of community and self-regulation. These are only some of the things that help to develop a strong foundation on which learning is built.
Based on recent research the emergent curriculum approach is the best way to develop these skills. With this philosophy children are encouraged to interact and communicate in a positive way and support their ability to self-regulate. Activities and projects are planned by educators to match the skills and unique needs of the specific children they are working with. This creates meaningful learning experiences. This type of learning/planning requires observations, documentation, and adaptability on the part of the staff. It is a child directed and teacher facilitated approach. Our employees are required to participate in ongoing learning through professional development workshops/seminars on an annual basis. By doing so we are able to gain knowledge and a better understanding of how we can help build better foundations in our children.
Our Program is based on the following goals:
- The Environment
- Observation and documentation
- Relationships between staff and children
- Relationship between staff and parents
Goal: To provide the children with a safe and nurturing environment that allows children to be active learners who explore the world through their body and mind.
The indoor environment creates opportunities for both active and quiet play. Children have a chance to explore various centres within the classroom such as dramatic play, sensory, fine and gross motor, and reading and writing. As well we support a healthy eating environment that facilitates a positive relationship with food. Our menu exceeds the Canadian Food Guide requirements as it includes a variety of new and familiar foods that support good health and learning. We are also committed to accommodating any special dietary needs and allergies.
Toys reflect the children’s current interest and are rotated as the children’s interests change. All toys are easily accessible and children are able to play with them as they choose. Through pictures and words, staff can record their observations on their documentation boards, as well as in their documentation log books.
We at the Creative Child Learning Centre feel that music is good for the body, mind and soul as it allows children to be creative, build connections and stimulate the brain as they actively explore musical instruments and sound. We are fortunate to have an outside music agency that visits us weekly.
In order to provide each child with equal amount of opportunities and continuous learning we partner with outside agencies to support children in helping them reach their full potential. These agencies help with speech and language, building fine and gross motor skills, instructions to employees regarding support aids. The classrooms are modified to support the individual needs of each child. Collaboratively with teachers, families and support staff a individualized support plan is developed for each child with special needs in order to achieve their wishes, dreams and hopes for their children
Our outdoor environment fosters the child’s learning through play and exploration. The children are able to bring various “indoor toys” outside and explore them in a different capacity. The children are able to explore nature during outside time whether it is planting various seeds, raking leaves or building a snowman. Through hands on experience they learn to appreciate the outdoor environment.
The children also have the opportunity to visit various community centres such as Fire Station, Police Station, Veterinarian Clinic and Post Office, which allows them to interact with our community helpers. Parents are also invited to share in these experiences with their children.
Observations and Documentations
Goal: Observe how children think and learn.
The best way to learn about children is by observing them at play and documenting their learning experiences. Through these experiences staff is able to share and communicate with caregivers on an ongoing basis through an interactive program “HiMama.” Daily, observations and documentations are communicated to caregivers serving as a form of reinforcement of how learning happens.
Some of the benefits of observing and documenting include:
– Being able to share children’s experiences with parents and caregivers through the use of documentation boards.
-Help educators understand the children’s interests and feelings.
-Help educators provide appropriate materials/toys which foster their exploration and cognitive development.
– Helps find meaning in what children do and what they experience from their perspective.
Relationships between Staff and Children
Goal: To create positive and caring relationships between staff and children as we support their growing sense of self.
Relationships between the children and their caregivers are incredibly important. We encourage healthy self-images in children by valuing them as individuals. It is important to us that children and their families see themselves reflected in our program. We try to make our toys, books, dolls etc. as diverse as the families within our centre. There are many ways we show the children that they are valued. Some of these include, pictures at their locker, bulletin boards in the hallways and classrooms that display their play experiences, and photo albums that include pictures of their families in the book centres.
We encourage Children to respect the differences of each individual in a polite way. Staff models how to respect and communicate through their words and actions. Children are encouraged to do the same.
Children’s feelings are supported and accepted by staff. Together, they find ways to express their feelings appropriately. Through this, children learn social skills that will help them connect with their peers and teach self-regulation skills.
Relationships between Staff and Parents/Guardians
Goal: To work collaboratively and communicate effectively with all families.
For children to reach their maximum potential, it is important for staff and parents to work together in supporting the children’s needs. Through conversations and observations with children and their families curriculum planning is created.
Through an online program called “HiMama” staff can share details of their children’s days. The input of families is always welcome and with HIMama, parents/guardians are able to communicate with the teacher throughout the day. Staff send pictures throughout the day of their children’s play experiences, ask about a child’s night, or even update a parent on how their child is doing after their drop off. This allows us to build strong relationships between parents and staff.
At the Creative Child Learning Centre we think of ourselves as a family. We hope that all your expectations and needs were met during your child’s experience at The Creative Child Learning Centre.