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		Tiny Tots Academy

258 Burraneer Bay Road
CARINGBAH NSW 2229

Ph: 02 9540 4495

Our centre aims to provide quality long day care for children in a safe learning environment while meeting the individual needs of children in all areas of development.

The following outlines the centre's philosophy, which is the basis of all our practices and policies.

We aim to provide a safe, secure and loving environment for the children, in which they can learn, grow and experience a wide variety of things about themselves, the environment and the community in which they live.

We believe that each child, family and staff member is unique and a valued individual. We will celebrate and promote differences in other people, by honouring the diversity of the environment where we are located. We believe in providing an accepting environment that promotes the children's and staffs personal growth and develops their positive self-esteem and confidence.

Culture, beliefs, values, abilities and language of all families and staff will be acknowledged, accepted and reflected throughout every learning experience offered. We foster children's self-worth, as well as provide an understanding of acceptance of others. We honour all forms of diversity.

We believe that being a member of a diverse community, holds great responsibility for us to the families and children, to establish and maintain a sense of belonging to the local community. We view children as capable, resourceful and valued members of the community.

Staff believe in the importance of developing respectful relationships with the children, their families and the staff within the environment, that encourages open and meaningful communication.
Staff believe in working in a team, toward an environment that promotes children's self help skills, decision making, autonomy and dignity. We also encourage children to interact peacefully and collaboratively with each other, express empathy for others and actively challenge bias.

We believe children grow in stages NOT ages and we need to foster all areas of their growth and development i.e. cognitive, social, physical, language.

We believe children learn through positive role models.

We believe play is an essential and valuable part of a child's life.

We believe play should be fun, exciting, interesting, spontaneous, hands-on, stimulating, relaxing, comforting, social and challenging.

We believe in providing opportunities for children to experiment, discover, explore, create, investigate, practice theories, problem-solve and express their ideas with the support of their peers and staff.

We will encourage and support the children to explore their own creativity and individuality and seek to actively develop problem-solving skills, in a success orientated environment.

Children shall be provided with an unhurried environment as a way of enhancing every learning opportunity.

Documentation is a way of honouring and celebrating the children's play.

We believe in acknowledging the original owners of the land, and their language and all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people in the community.

Orientation of new children

Parents are invited to come and view the centre before enrolling their child at the time previously organised with staff. During this time they will be given the opportunity to talk to staff and receive information sheets. Parents are welcome to stay while the child settles.

Parents must let their child know when they are leaving. Never leave the centre without saying goodbye as this helps prevent your child from panicking later when they can't find you. Always reassure your child that you will be returning to collect them. It helps if you can relate this to a particular activity during the day ie "I will pick you up after rest time". If someone else is to collect your child please tell him or her will it will be. After saying goodbye indicate to staff that you are leaving so that they are aware of attending to your child's needs.

If the child is distressed during the day, for what staff consider to be too long a period, the parents will be contacted. Parents are welcome to call during the day to check on their child's progress.

Education

Children have great learning potential which needs constant stimulation. To assist in this learning process, we feel it is important to focus on the things children can do rather than on the things they can't do.

Childs Profiles/Journals

All children will have their own Child Profile or Journal. This is a folder where we record and store all relevant information to give us a complete picture of your child's development.
The Profile is separated into 3 sections:

1. Family Input
2. Development
3. Interests/Investigations

Observations

Written and photographic observations are made in the following areas:

Cognitive
Physical: Fine & Gross Motor
Social / Emotional
Language
The Arts

These observations are ongoing and are evaluated to target children's interests and strengths. This information, and information from the Daily Communication book, is used to plan the weekly programme. A progress report, based on the observations, will be completed at the end of the year. We will only follow up on children's needs if their development is not age/stage appropriate. In this instance we will often enlist the support of a professional support and resource team to programme an IEP (Individual Education Programme) for that child.

Programme

The programme is based on the Emergent Curriculum. This is a programme that is constantly evolving. The philosophy is that children and adults are co-creators of the programme. It is based on children's strengths not weaknesses. New activities may be added daily. These activities will be based on the observations of the children, evaluation of the programme, and the information from the Daily Communication Book.

The programme, and the room, is broken up into different Learning Areas ie. construction, writing centre, home corner etc. The learning centres will remain constant but the activities within them will change.

Also incorporated into the programme will be daily language/music groups. Children will be separated into three groups based on their stage of development. Groups are Possum's, Echidna's and Koala's.

There will also be spontaneous music and language groups throughout the day. There is also a section to include parent input and child's input. The programme is evaluated each day to determine its effectiveness and follow-ups. The programme also includes culturally appropriate activities. There will be a formal programme meeting held towards the end of each year for parents and staff to evaluate its effectiveness together.

Interests/Investigations

When a major topic of interest is sparked, we will call it an Investigation. We will then set out to explore this interest and the children's involvement in it. The Investigation will cease when it has run its course. All this information will be recorded in an Investigation folder, that will be on display for families to view.

Daily Timetable/Preschool Program

8.00am Morning Tea
9.30am Songs/Story/News
10.00am Morning Tea and Outside Activities
11.00am Language/music groups
11.30am Art/Craft Activities
12.30pm Lunch
1.15pm Rest Time/Quiet Activities (July onwards school readiness programme)
3.00pm Afternoon tea and outside activities
4.30pm Indoor Activities
5.30pm Centre Closes

School Readiness

Older children will become involved in activities to prepare them for school. A familiar routine is followed each day to ensure consistency for the children. The aim is to extend the child's ability to complete a task.

The emphasis is on the process not the product, and all children's efforts are praised and encouraged. Note: If you think that your child has an additional need in any area, please alert staff, so you can obtain a referral to a specialist or receive any relevant information that may assist you.

An individual parent-teacher interview will be held prior to the child commencing school.

What Parents Should Pack For Their Child

We supply morning and after tea

Lunch in lunchbox eg sandwich, fruit and drink. Please do not include only junk food ie lollies, chips, cakes etc. Please refer to nutrition policy for more information on lunchbox contents.

Cot Sheets

One fitted sheet and one top sheet. Please do not bring bulky blankets or pillows, as we do not have the storage space. Please send your sheets in a sheet bag (this could be an old pillow slip clearly labeled with your child's name).

Sun Hat

The hat should have a protective rim and back flap. Please make sure it is always in your child's bag, even in the cooler weather.

Please mention Shire Child Care when you contact this service

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