This is achieved by the staff documenting your child’s interests and progress using different observations. From these observations staff conference and plan with the children experiences that will enhance, extend and challenge their development both as individuals and as a group.
When planning for their group, staff at Little Heroes Child Care use the Little Heroes under 2’s curriculum and the Little Heroes over 2’s curriculum.
These curricula have been developed through research and are based on the theories of Early Childhood researchers Vygotsky, Dewy, Gardner, the Emergent Curriculum, Project Approach and the Schools of Reggio Emilia in Italy.
Little Heroes curriculum decision making is aligned with the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline (QKLG), the National Quality Standards (NQS), the current research focus and the centre philosophy. Little Heroes educators view children as competent, skilled young citizens and provide a child-centred approach to learning that values, appreciates and celebrates each child’s identity.
Children engage in stimulating environments that encourage them to investigate and explore, seek and solve, to wonder and to be challenged. Our curriculum decision making contributes to each child’s learning in relation to their identity, connection with community, wellbeing, confidence as learners and effectiveness as communicators. This is achieved by ensuring all children have equal opportunities to explore, develop and work on their individual dispositions for learning.
Our centre philosophy highlights the importance of working as a team to create an environment that is safe, warm and supportive where children can feel valued and respected at all times. Our philosophy is reviewed as a team to ensure it is kept up to date with the beliefs of all staff members, and to ensure we capture the fill vision of our centre and the program implemented within the service.
Our program is based on children’s interests. Staff discuss and plan with the children, further experiences that enhance their learning. Information about the experiences your child will be participating in each day is displayed on a web in your child’s room. All experiences, planned and spontaneous are related back to centre philosophy and goals.
Our goals and centre philosophy are always evolving as each centre continues to learn and grow.
All programming is documented in your child’s individual journal, which you are invited to add to. This journal follows your child from room to room and documents the story of their time here at Little Heroes.
We believe that the programs for all children should:
- Provide a balance of activities that include indoor and outdoor, quiet and active, individual, small group and large group and also child initiated and teacher initiated activities.
- Have flexibility in regards to the children’s needs, interests and any other situations that may arise during the day.
- Reflect cultural diversity.
- Consider gender equity.
- Have the environment set up so it allows for active participation and self-selection.
- Use routine times as a part of learning.
- Use evaluation as a part of planning.
