Early Learning Programs
Supporting Every Child’s Growth and Development Through Play-Based Learning
Our programmes offer a variety of learning areas and experiences which allow children to participate and achieve to their individual potential.
Staff continually use their past and current experiences to engage the children’s attention and build opportunities to learn in a play-based hands on way. The learning experiences that your child takes part in are directed by their individual needs and interests and promote the following areas:
We provide a nurturing environment that will allow your child to grow and develop physically, emotionally, intellectually, culturally and socially. We celebrate the uniqueness of each child empowering them to reach their full potential while all the time they are having fun!
Incursions
As part of our programs, we love to bring the excursions into the centres, our inscursions! Spaced throughout the year we invite various companies to our centres to give our children a variety of educational fun activities that we ourselves can’t provide. These are all provided at no extra cost to our families. It can include, but is not limited to:
In addition to these external companies coming in, we also conduct our own events such as:
Electronic Media
The preschoolers have access to our computers and touchscreens using early childhood literacy and numeracy programs. Children will complete many interactive experiences on the programs throughout the year.
Technology and Media items will only be used as an extension to the daily program assisting in development of social, physical, emotional, cognitive, language and creative potential of each child. Technology and Media items will be incorporated as an additional resource, not a substitute.
Guidelines for use:
Timeframes for ‘screen time’ according to Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines are:
Children are “growing up digital”.
Children will be taught healthy concepts of digital use and citizenship.
Only quality developmentally appropriate interactive media will be use.
School Readiness
Starting school is a significant milestone in the life of any child and family. Our school readiness program refers to daily-programmed activities and experiences that are implemented throughout the year, encouraging the developmental skills that are optimal for children to retain before commencing school. For children attending school the following year, we will implement a ‘transition to school program’ which is additional activities and experiences offered to children to help prepare them for a smooth transition to a school environment.
The school readiness programmes still maintain our open-ended, individual learning model, whilst also providing a small group structured environment where the children can develop and practise skills to follow teacher direction and complete tasks.
Your child will enjoy a fun introduction to:
Outdoor Play
We believe that outdoor experiences are much more important than ‘run around time’.
Young children need daily outdoor experiences to enhance their rapid physical development.
At Little Scholars Early Learning Centre’s the outdoors is viewed as a place for the children to grow and learn, that is why staff create outdoor learning environments that are engaging and interesting. Outdoor experiences will be planned to;
Languages
Children in our transition to school group can experience the magic and possibilities of a new language as we incorporate Early Learning Languages Australia within our curriculum.
ELLA is a digital, play-based language learning program. This Australian Government initiative inspires children by driving a genuine interest in a new language and culture.
Please speak to your child’s educators to see what language your child will be learning as well as how you may support your child’s learning at home. (https://www.ella.edu.au/ella-program/)
We know that learning another language is a great brain gym for children and that, in the longer term, the more access they have to a second language... they actually do better in
school.
Professor John Hajek,
University of Melbourne
Parent Participation & Daily Routines
Families are the single most powerful influence in the early development of a child.
We operate as an open door policy, where families are welcome to visit our service. We believe families are children’s first teachers and therefore embrace family involvement and participation within our curriculum. We value your ideas, suggestions and contributions into all aspects of our service. If a child has a special interest that a parent wishes to share with us you should let the educators know so that they can incorporate this into your child’s programs.
Effective relationships between families and educators are fundamental to the quality of education and care that the children receive. Families can provide invaluable information about children’s interests, strengths, abilities as well as feedback that assists teams to develop improvement plans that are practical and focussed on meeting the needs of all children and their families.
Families are always welcome to spend time in the service and share special moments with their children. We also host many special days and celebrate a variety of events throughout the year for which families are most welcome to attend.
All our rooms have a daily reflections journal for parents to read and provide feedback at the end of the day, you may also like to use the knowledge you gain from this book to converse with your child about their day.
Each child will be given an assigned parent pocket for receipts, newsletters and messages. The parent pockets should be checked regularly.
Our Daily routines although flexible provide security and continuity for the children. Routines vary so please make enquiries with your local centre’s Nominated Supervisor.
Programming
The Early Years Learning Framework (Being, Belonging, Becoming) describes the principles, practice and outcomes essential to support and enhance young children’s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to school. The framework has a strong emphasis on play-based learning as play is the best vehicle for young children’s learning providing the most appropriate stimulus for brain development.
Little Scholars Early Learning Centres provide a written program using the following guidelines:
Children’s investigations are documented and displayed throughout the centre. This allows parents to see children’s involvement and learning and allows them to follow through with their child’s interests.
Little Scholars ELC’s adhere to the National Quality Standard, and have implemented a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), which is an ongoing improvement document under continual review. The Quality Improvement Plans are available for viewing.
Developmental Records
Our centres maintain developmental records for individual children in our care.
Our educators become aware of children’s interest by observing and listening to children’s play, interactions within the environment and information provided by parents.
This will be documented in the form of written observations, photographs, examples of children’s work e.g. portfolio and daily evaluations.
Individual development records are available for parents to discuss with a staff member, if requested.
We pay respect to the Traditional Custodians & First Scholars of NSW & pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.
We acknowledge their continued connection to their country & culture.
Nurturing young minds with engaging, individualised learning in a safe and supportive environment.
© Little Scholars Academy. All rights reserved.