Why Choose Small Steps Educational Childcare
At Small Steps Educational Childcare we acknowledge the importance of play in early childhood development. Play is very important, the most effective tool, and is central to a child’s learning and development. Play is non threatening, spontaneous, and meaningful. Through play babies and young children explore and learn to understand the world around them as they come to communicate, discover, imagine and create. When children play they are showing what they have learned and what they are trying to understand. When children play with other children they create social group, test out ideas, challenge each other’s thinking and build new understandings.
This is why play is one of the foundations of the Early Years Learning Framework. By using this Framework Educators/Staff will guide children’s play by carefully designing learning activities and stimulating Indoor and Outdoor learning environments. We also acknowledge that each child is unique and therefore will progress at their own pace. The EYLF is a key component of the National Quality Framework which has been developed by Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to assist Educators to provide young children throughout Australia in their early years, opportunities to maximise their potential and develop a foundation for success in the future.
The Framework’s vision is for all children to experience play-based learning that is engaging and builds success for life.
Belonging is the basis for living a fulfilling life. Where children feel they belong, because of the relationships they have with their family, community, culture and place.
Being is about living here and now. Childhood is a special time in life, and children need time to just ‘be’- time to play, try new things and have fun.
Becoming is about the learning and development that young children experience. Children start to form their sense of identity from an early age, which shapes the type of adult they will become.
The Framework focuses on your child’s learning. Educators will work with you in order to get to know your child well. At this Service we will create a learning program that builds on your child’s interests and abilities and keep you in touch with your child’s progress. Through the Framework’s five learning goals Educators will assist your child to develop:
- A strong sense of their identity (have confidence in themselves and to form friendships)
- Connections with their world (learn to respect the environment and cultural diversity)
- A strong sense of wellbeing (socially, emotionally & physically).
- Confidence and involvement in their learning (explore, create, learn, experiment)
- Effective communication skills (by using literacy and numeracy to communicate)
