Indoor Learning Environment

Programming goals:

1. To provide a balanced play and interest based program that covers the five areas of children’s development (emotional, social, physical, language and cognitive) along with transitions and routines. 
2. To provide a safe and secure environment that allows children to learn and develop at their own pace while providing support and respect for their individual needs. 
3. Through planning we recognise children’s interests and their individual needs. We provide a range of opportunities for the children to explore and experiment with within the environment during small and large group, planned and spontaneous, indoor and outdoor and active and passive experiences.
4. To provide an inclusive environment that respects all children as equal and unique and supports their differing cultures, religions, beliefs, languages and abilities.
5. To facilitate children’s developing self help skills and growing sense of independence in a relaxed and supportive environment. 
6. To optimise learning opportunities for the children by providing a wide variety of equipment, resources and learning materials that are relevant to each individual child’s developmental stages and abilities. 
7. Families are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of their children’s daily experiences providing a link between the centre and home.

Centre Programs:

The play based programs that are developed by staff on a fortnightly basis are based on child and caregiver initiated experiences and individual observations taken of the children during their play. 

The programs are flexible and reflect the interests and the competencies of the children. Experiences are initiated by the child, the caregiver, interests within the group and input from families and are reflective of the abilities and needs of the individual children. 

A wide variety of equipment, materials and other resources are provided to engage children in play whilst stimulating curiosity, self-expression & opportunities to explore the environment. 

Programs encourage the growth and development of the child as a whole. Skills such as creativity, curiosity, independence, self help skills, decision-making and negotiation are fostered through daily routines and occurrences. 

Children are encouraged to choose experiences for themselves and staff are available to support children in this decision making process. Positive interactions are encouraged and supported between staff and children and children and their peers. 

Individual portfolios: Children’s portfolios are developed to maintain an ongoing story of the child’s development whilst they are in care. They are designed to follow the child from commencement at the centre and through each room, building on pre-existing information. Portfolios are a record of the child’s process of learning.

When children leave Samford Pines Child Care & Early Learning Centre the portfolio becomes the property of the family providing them with a record of their child’s time whilst at the centre. 

Reflective Journals: The reflective journal provides families with a reflection of the daily happenings within the room.

Project Books: Project books provide families with a glimpse of daily life within the centre. They are documented learning stories of special experiences the children have been involved in.

Inclusion Support:

We aim to foster within each individual an awareness and acceptance of others cultures, religious and ethnic beliefs. We aim to support individual needs and understand the uniqueness of each person. 

Routines:

Each room has it’s own individual room routine, which is reflective of the children’s needs within the groups. The routines are paramount in providing the children with a secure and familiar environment, aiding in smooth transitions between home and centre life.

In the Babies room we endeavour to adopt routines that happen at home to ensure continuity and consistency for the children and their families.