The Role Of The Educator
Connections – Early Learning Childcare Centres programming objective is to create responsive and nurturing environments to foster the social and emotional development of children in our care. Educators are valued and viewed as co-learners, co-researchers and co-imaginer of possibilities. Educators are encouraged to reflect on their own pedagogical approaches, interactions and image of the child to scaffold and enrich children’s learning and development
We observe and document the children’s learning through Learning Stories and educators are given two hours a week to program-plan and provide evidence of learning/development taking place in their environment through Learning Stories.
We utilize a blend of the Alberta Flight Framework, Reggio Emilia Approach, and Montessori Approach to craft a tailored program that caters to the class’s interests, objectives, and each child’s individual strengths and challenges. At Connections, we believe in offering a curriculum
that combines various childcare philosophies, ensuring that every child has access to a diverse range of materials for exploration at all times. Our approach encourages children to engage at their own pace, without coercion, and we place emphasis on provoking their interest through
deliberate setups. We firmly hold the belief that the environment serves as the “Third Teacher”, and we strive to foster an inclusive learning space where children’s interests and ideas are treasured.
We recognize the importance of maintaining strong connections and meaningful relationships in our rapidly changing world. Relationships have the power to overcome barriers of time, space, race, and religion. Cultivating strong bonds and healthy relationships is crucial for the well-being
of our society. We are dedicated to helping children learn emotional regulation as a key skill for building and sustaining meaningful relationships. Our goal is to offer practical strategies and tools to assist children in effectively managing their emotions. By promoting emotional intelligence, we enable children to navigate relationships with more ease and connection.
Educators will:
– Respect each child as a whole individual
– Take the time to get to know each child, their family, and their background
– Acknowledge and value children’s emotions
– Try to understand the child’s perspective by temporarily stepping into their shoes
– Engage in play with the children at their level
– Listen to the children with genuine curiosity and respond thoughtfully
– Engage in ongoing conversations with the children
– Ensure that each child feels valued and important
– Stay calm and supportive when children experience strong emotions
– Provide physical affection and demonstrate love and care to the children
Appropriate Guidance
A safe, healthy environment is fundamental to all program activity. Children are supported to interact and communicate in a positive way as educators help to foster their ability to self-regulate. Guidance in the program involves setting clear limits that protect children from harm and teach acceptable behaviour.
Appropriate guidance supports the child to feel secure enough to reach out and learn. Necessary limits are individualized and are balanced with admiration for children’s achievements and strengths. We use consistent daily routines that supply predictability that helps a child learn what to expect from the program and feel confident to explore it. To establish security while in care, Educators will respond to children’s needs and signal in positive and creative ways. Relationships that provide security lead to higher self-esteem and confidence, greater willingness to explore, better control over emotions, and greater problem-solving ability.
We deeply appreciate the knowledge and expertise of our qualified staff, as well as the dedication and enthusiasm for learning exhibited by our student educators within our program. Our staff is committed to engaging in reflective practice, collaborative inquiry, and ongoing education. In support of these objectives, we provide a range of professional development opportunities throughout the year.