Our philosophy
Children learn through play.
Play engages a child’s whole being. It lets them experiment with language, and imagine and act out roles, relationships and experiences. It is intrinsically motivating, it builds social relationships, and it is how children work out who they are and how the world fits together.
The whole child
We plan around five areas of development, which we shorten to S.P.E.C.C.
The environment we build
Child-centred, child-initiated and play-based.
Adult–child interactions, activities and materials should be relevant to each child’s stage of development and should support all five areas. Every child is different, so the environment has to offer a variety of learning opportunities for individual needs, interests, abilities, learning styles and rates of development, with room for exploration, discovery and hands-on interaction with real objects.
Children should feel safe, secure and accepted, so that they can take risks and express themselves freely. The environment should be challenging and should allow for success, so children gain confidence and want to keep going. It should be inclusive, and it should build pro-social behaviour: cooperation, sharing, positive self-worth, and respect for themselves, for others, and for their physical and natural surroundings.
Children learn self-discipline and self-control through positive guidance: clear limits, redirection, modelling, and encouragement of appropriate behaviour.
How we are with children
As a guide, not a director.
We relate to children as a facilitator or guide in their development. We set up stimulating, challenging and appropriate materials and activities, we accept and support children in what they set out to do, and we help them realise their potential.
We relate to all the children with warmth, sensitivity, encouragement and love, to create a climate in which they enjoy learning. Our relationships with them are built on mutual respect, trust and caring.
How we are with parents
Partners in raising the same child.
Our relationship with parents is a partnership in the development of their child. Through continuous, open communication and sharing of information, we can support a child’s development both at home and here. We encourage parents to take part in any planning and decision-making that involves their child.
We also draw on community services and helping professionals, so that families have a network of support and children have educational and recreational opportunities beyond the daycare.