Program Goals

Program

Goals Goals are broad general statements reflecting the intentions of the centre in respect of the children and also the parents. To facilitate the development of the whole child (physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually, creatively, spiritually) as an individual and as a member of a group. To promote the health and safety of children. To provide a developmentally appropriate experience of preschool. To work in partnership with parents, encouraging their involvement in their child’s education and care. To observe each child’s development and interests in order to plan and evaluate. To provide opportunities for children to appreciate diverse cultures and lifestyles within the community. To develop an anti-bias approach to curriculum planning and create an anti-bias environment. To provide a loving, caring environment where each child feels secure and special. To facilitate a growing self control and respect for others in each child by using positive guidance. To encourage an appreciation and care of the natural environment as God’s creation.

Intro The daily program includes 4 main components and each is documented so that families can share in their child’s experience of preschool and can continue to build on this experience within the home environment. Following is an outline of the four program components and the related methods of documentation. Program component Method of documentation Location Individual Child program Portfolio Tele-visual display Folder display unit in each play room Foyer table Learning centres Learning centre display Foyer pin-board Group time experiences Daily diary Foyer table Projects Wall displays Children’s play rooms   Individual Child Programs The documentation of your child’s preschool experience is collected in your child’s portfolio and this forms the basis of your child’s individual program. The Individual objectives format is kept at the front of your child’s portfolio. It has a developmental objective recorded on it. There is also an evaluation and follow-up section for your information. Each fortnight the staff team develop developmental objectives for a set group of children. Each child’s learning objective is developed after a review of the child’s portfolio, evaluation of previous objectives and consideration of the input provided by families on the “Observing your child” format. All staff are familiar with your child’s objective. They plan and implement strategies to achieve your child’s learning objective. Strategies will include 1:1 interactions, project investigations and group time experiences. A copy of each child’s records are held on file for a minimum of 6 months after leaving the service. Portfolios Each child’s portfolio documents their experience of the preschool years. It is a document to which all can contribute- Children can select to place important pieces of work in their folder. Children will often ask to place paintings, drawings or dictated stories in their portfolio which is then available to show their family at home time. Staff provide descriptions of your child’s play experiences at preschool. They also provide explanations of the developmental outcomes of these play experiences, ideas for further preschool activities and also some suggestions for families to try at home. Staff also include the Individual objectives format in the front of your child’s folder. Families are invited to provide feedback about the experiences that they have tried at home. A section is provided on the end of the observation format. Families are also invited to include any documentation of home events that are significant to your child such as photos of a holiday, a new pet, a visitor or your child’s bedroom. You may add some notes of explanation or dictate an explanation from your child. This creates a great opportunity for connections between home and school to be established and consolidated. The benefits for your child include greater feelings of security when at preschool and also a strong motivation to continue to strive in their learning.   Objectives The group program objectives are developed in consideration of the documents previously mentioned. They form the basis of planning for daily group time experiences and the learning environment. You will find a direct relationship between the individual objectives and the presentation of the various learning centres throughout the preschool environment. The program objectives are located on the foyer pin-board next to the ongoing program reporting for easy reference.   Learning Centres The learning centres are designated areas of the preschool environment. The centres are focused on a particular area of curriculum and specific objectives from the group program objectives are identified for each centre. The centres include: Colour & Song Visual and dramatic arts Pluses & Minuses Mathematics Beakers & Bytes Science World around us Society, culture and the environment Moving on Gross Motor Making messages Language and literacy In control Fine Motor The learning centres include materials and resources that build on the children’s current interests and promote the achievement of the selected objective. The learning centres remain in the same location over the year so that children are able to access resources needed in their project explorations during the free play sessions. Pin-board display Each learning centre is represented on the display and provides an ongoing record of how each objective for each learning centre has been achieved. The record is developed over a period of 2-3 weeks with photographs and observations. This display enables you to see how the group program objectives are achieved through the children’s experiences with the learning centres. Tele-visual display Over each program day staff take photos of the various experiences that children participate in within both the indoor and outdoor preschool environment. Each afternoon the collection of photo images are displayed on the television located in the foyer. This is a great opportunity to see what the children are involved in and will support your conversations with your child about their day.

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