To nurture the uniqueness of each child while respecting individual, cultural and family backgrounds. We do this through our positive interactions with children, families and each other.
We believe that all children carry within themselves the person they will become and that we as teachers and parents influence this becoming. Our Montessori Philosophy, we believe that:
- The potential for each individuals development should be respected and nurtured.
- Education is an aid to life and a preparation for it.
- A complete care and education program involves the integration of intellectual, emotional, spiritual, physical and social aspects oflife.
- There should be diversity of social groupings.
- Learning occurs in a variety of ways and should be suited to each child’s individual needs.
- Learning is largely active, often self-correcting and individually paced and unlimited in scope.
- The teachers role is to guide, observe and support.
- The environment reaches the child through attractiveness, stability, respect and freedom.
- Learning should be linked to home and to the outside world.
- Balancing freedom and discipline results in a larger capacity for self direction.
Goals
Kidscape Yungaburra Childcare Centre:
- To provide for families, children and staff an environment that supports a sense of belonging, confidence and trust to grow and become anintegral part of the wider community.
- To acknowledge and celebrate the cultural diversity of our community through our program, activities and experiences, inclusive of allchildren and families.
- To provide for the inclusion of children with additional needs.
- To enhance a child’s ability to develop confidence and self-esteem to work at their own pace and level of enrichment and to try without fearof failure.
- To promote the development of life long social and emotional skills to support dealing with feelings, getting along with others and being afriend.
- To develop curiosity, concentration and independence through play.
- To develop a sense of order through the 3 step work cycle- Choose. Play. Put Away.
- To learn through innate senses (touch, smell, hear, taste, see).
- To develop sensory motor skills in order to judge, discriminate and sort.
- To develop discipline, independence and persistence in learning.
- To access guidance and assistance from support organizations and professionals within our local community, for the betterment of the centreand its families.
- To work as a dedicated team for the overall happiness and well-being of our children, families and staff of the centre.
- To continue to support the NCAC by regularly reviewing our practices, policies and procedures. We will form strategies and implementprocesses to improve in areas if required.
Program
“When working with children, we need to learn to give help only when it is needed and to understand the Importance of standing back and observing the unfolding of the child before us”. Maria Montessori
Practical Life ‘Help me do it myself’
Practical life lays the foundation for all work to follow. It develops concentration, coordination and sense of order, it also develops self help skills, fine motor skills and independence. They are everyday tasks such as pouring, stacking, washing, buttoning, beading, folding and pegging. These activities satisfy the child’s need for purposeful’ work.
Sensorial ‘ Learning through the Senses’
This area supports the child identify and develop their senses, as ‘learning tools’ in their environment. The child refines their sense of smell, touch, taste, sound and sight. Through scientifically based Montessori materials the child can classify and discriminate (shapes), compare (length and weight) distinguish (smells) sequence patterns and contrast colours.
Culture ‘My world…my place’
We explore other countries, their customs, food, music, climate, language, environment and art. Here we gain an understanding and compassion for all the creatures of the world. Curriculum includes zoology, botany, geography, music, movement, art, and drama.
Language ‘Development in the Early Years’
Language combines sounds, letters, vocabulary and writing. A child needs to master one part of language before moving onto the next. Montessori uses sand letters, moveable alphabet, objects, pictures and word cards. It incorporates lots of rhyming and storytelling through books, the use of art, puppets and props.
Maths ‘Understanding Concepts’ Children love counting and through the use of Montessori equipment the child learns counting, quantity, numbers and measurement at his/her own pace and stage of development. By combining equipment, separating it and comparing it, the child is developing scientific concepts.
Social/Emotional Development ‘Trust and Love’
‘Self-esteem’ is reflected through the mirror, held up by people surrounding the child. We build strong positive relations with the child through trust, confidence, love and respect for the child’s ability to reach his/her potential in all areas of development and at their own pace. The Montessori Program is delivered to a mixed age group so children can witness the importance of all stages of development. Children observe and learn from each other as well as their teacher and the prepared environment. They become confident and successful in their development. Our routine is a combination of Group time, individual work and free play.
