First Connections Early Learning Programs

1. Philosophy and Goals:

Philosophy: Emphasis on responsive caregiving, respect for each child’s unique pace of development, and fostering a secure attachment between caregivers and infants.

Goals: Promote social-emotional development, language acquisition, sensory exploration, and physical growth through child-led learning.

2. Routine Times:

Morning Arrival and Greeting: Warm welcomes and transitions from home to centre.

Feeding Times: Nurturing meal times as opportunities for social interaction and developing self-feeding skills.

Nappy Changing and Toileting: Gentle, responsive care during nappy changes, encouraging independence as appropriate.

Nap Times: Creating a peaceful environment conducive to restful sleep patterns.

Play and Exploration: Structured and unstructured play times to encourage sensorimotor development, and exploration of textures, sounds, and movement.

3. Key Learning Experiences:

Sensory Exploration: Providing various safe, age-appropriate materials and experiences that stimulate the senses (e.g., soft fabrics, textured toys, natural materials).

Language Development: Engaging children in conversations, reading simple stories, singing songs, and using verbal and non-verbal cues to communicate.

Physical Development: Opportunities for gross motor skills (rolling, crawling, walking with support) and fine motor skills (grasping, manipulating objects).

Social Interaction: Facilitating peer interactions through small group activities, parallel play, and supportive adult-child interactions.

4. Curriculum Components:

Art and Creativity: Exploring safe art materials to foster creativity and sensory exploration.

Outdoor Time: Safe outdoor play experiences to encourage gross motor development and exposure to natural elements.

Music and Movement: Incorporating music and movement activities to support rhythm, coordination, and emotional expression.

5. Staffing and Interactions:

Staff Training: Ensuring caregivers are trained in responsive caregiving, child development principles, and safety protocols.

Responsive Care: Emphasising warm, sensitive interactions that respect each child’s cues and preferences.

Parent Communication: Regular updates, including daily reports and informal conversations, to keep parents informed about their child’s activities and developmental milestones.

6. Environment:

Safe and Stimulating: Creating a safe, clean, and welcoming environment that encourages exploration and curiosity.

Learning Centres: Setting up age-appropriate learning centres (e.g., quiet corner for books, sensory play area, soft climbing structures) to support various types of play and learning.

7. Assessment and Individualised Planning:

Observation: Regular observations to assess each child’s developmental progress and interests.

Individualised Planning: Using observations to inform individualised care plans that cater to each child’s unique needs and developmental stage.

1. Philosophy and Goals:

Philosophy: Emphasise child-centred learning, fostering independence, and nurturing a supportive environment where children feel safe to explore and learn.

Goals: Promote social-emotional development, language acquisition, cognitive skills, and physical growth through hands-on, child-led experiences.

2. Routine Times:

Morning Welcome and Circle Time: Warm greetings and structured activities like songs, stories, and discussions to build community and social skills.

Meal and Snack Times: Encourage self-help skills such as serving themselves, using utensils, and cleaning up, promoting independence and healthy eating habits.

Toileting and Self-Care: Support children in mastering toileting skills and personal hygiene with guidance and encouragement.

Nap or Rest Time: Provide a comfortable, quiet environment for rest, respecting individual sleep needs.

3. Key Learning Experiences:

Exploration and Discovery: Offer age-appropriate materials and activities that encourage exploration of the natural world, sensory experiences, and cause-and-effect relationships.

Language Development: Engage children in conversations, storytelling, and vocabulary-building activities to support language acquisition and communication skills.

Creative Arts: Provide opportunities for creative expression through art, music, movement, and dramatic play, fostering imagination and self-expression.

Maths and Science Exploration: Introduce basic maths concepts (counting, sorting) and scientific exploration (simple experiments, observing nature) through hands-on activities.

4. Curriculum Components:

Child-Led Learning: Allow children to choose activities and materials based on their interests, promoting autonomy and self-direction.

Outdoor Play: Provide daily outdoor play opportunities for physical exercise, gross motor development, and nature exploration.

Literacy Enrichment: Integrate literacy activities such as reading aloud, recognising letters and their sounds, and exploring books independently.

5. Staffing and Interactions:

Responsive and Supportive: Foster warm, caring interactions that promote positive relationships and trust between children and caregivers.

Encouraging Independence: Guide children in daily routines and activities while encouraging them to try new tasks independently, building confidence and self-esteem.

Observation and Documentation: Observe children’s interests, progress, and interactions to inform planning and individualised support.

6. Environment:

Safe and Inviting: Design a classroom environment that is organised, safe, and stimulating, with accessible materials that promote exploration and learning.

Learning Centres: Set up various learning centres (e.g., block area, sensory table, dramatic play) that encourage hands-on exploration and social interaction.

7. Assessment and Individualised Planning:

Developmental Monitoring: Regularly assess children’s development through observations and informal assessments, adjusting activities and support as needed.

Individualised Support: Create individualised plans for children who may benefit from additional support or enrichment based on their unique needs and strengths.

1. Philosophy and Goals:

Philosophy: Emphasise child-centred learning, fostering independence, and nurturing a supportive environment where children feel safe to explore and learn.

Goals: Promote social-emotional development, language acquisition, cognitive skills, and physical growth through hands-on, child-led experiences.

2. Routine Times:

Morning Welcome and Circle Time: Warm greetings and structured activities like songs, stories, and discussions to build community and social skills.

Meal and Snack Times: Encourage self-help skills such as serving themselves, using utensils, and cleaning up, promoting independence and healthy eating habits.

Toileting and Self-Care: Support children in mastering toileting skills and personal hygiene with guidance and encouragement.

Nap or Rest Time: Provide a comfortable, quiet environment for rest, respecting individual sleep needs.

3. Key Learning Experiences:

Exploration and Discovery: Offer age-appropriate materials and activities that encourage exploration of the natural world, sensory experiences, and cause-and-effect relationships.

Language Development: Engage children in conversations, storytelling, and vocabulary-building activities to support language acquisition and communication skills.

Creative Arts: Provide opportunities for creative expression through art, music, movement, and dramatic play, fostering imagination and self-expression.

Maths and Science Exploration: Introduce basic maths concepts (counting, sorting) and scientific exploration (simple experiments, observing nature) through hands-on activities.

4. Curriculum Components:

Child-Led Learning: Allow children to choose activities and materials based on their interests, promoting autonomy and self-direction.

Outdoor Play: Provide daily outdoor play opportunities for physical exercise, gross motor development, and nature exploration.

Literacy Enrichment: Integrate literacy activities such as reading aloud, recognising letters and their sounds, and exploring books independently.

5. Staffing and Interactions:

Responsive and Supportive: Foster warm, caring interactions that promote positive relationships and trust between children and caregivers.

Encouraging Independence: Guide children in daily routines and activities while encouraging them to try new tasks independently, building confidence and self-esteem.

Observation and Documentation: Observe children’s interests, progress, and interactions to inform planning and individualised support.

6. Environment:

Safe and Inviting: Design a classroom environment that is organised, safe, and stimulating, with accessible materials that promote exploration and learning.

Learning Centres: Set up various learning centres (e.g., block area, sensory table, dramatic play) that encourage hands-on exploration and social interaction.

7. Assessment and Individualised Planning:

Developmental Monitoring: Regularly assess children’s development through observations and informal assessments, adjusting activities and support as needed.

Individualised Support: Create individualised plans for children who may benefit from additional support or enrichment based on their unique needs and strengths.

1. Philosophy and Goals:

Philosophy: Emphasise child-initiated learning, fostering independence, curiosity, and community among peers.

Goals: Promote social-emotional development, cognitive skills, language acquisition, physical development and a growing understanding of the world through hands-on, inquiry-based experiences.

2. Routine Times:

Morning Circle Time: Gather for greetings, songs, stories, and discussions to build community, develop language skills, and introduce daily themes or topics.

Interest Centres: Offer diverse learning centres (e.g., art, science, dramatic play) where children can freely explore based on their interests, promoting independence and decision-making.

Project Time: Engage in extended, child-led projects that encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and exploration of topics relevant to the children’s interests and the world around them.

Outdoor Exploration: Provide regular opportunities for outdoor play and nature exploration, encouraging physical activity, sensory experiences, and an appreciation for the environment.

3. Key Learning Experiences:

Science and Nature: Conduct simple experiments, and observe the environment to foster curiosity and understanding of the natural world.

Literacy and Language: Encourage storytelling, reading aloud, writing, and discussing books and their themes to enhance language skills and literacy development.

Maths Exploration: Introduce mathematical concepts through hands-on activities, puzzles, and games that promote problem-solving and critical thinking.

Social-Emotional Development: Support emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and empathy through role-playing, group activities, and discussions about feelings and relationships.

4. Curriculum Components:

Child-Led Inquiry: Support children’s interests by incorporating their questions and ideas into the curriculum, encouraging exploration and deeper understanding.

Creative Arts: Provide opportunities for creative expression through art, music, movement, and dramatic play, fostering imagination and self-expression.

Community and Culture: Explore diverse cultures, traditions, and community helpers through stories, celebrations, and activities that promote respect and understanding.

5. Staffing and Interactions:

Facilitators of Learning: Act as facilitators who guide and support children’s learning journeys, encouraging exploration, questioning, and discovery.

Collaborative Learning: Promote collaboration among children through group projects, problem-solving tasks, and cooperative play activities that build social skills and teamwork.

Responsive Care: Provide nurturing and responsive interactions that support each child’s emotional wellbeing, curiosity, and sense of belonging.

6. Environment:

Inviting Learning Spaces: Design a classroom environment that reflects children’s interests and supports active learning, with materials organised and accessible for independent exploration.

Flexible Learning Areas: Create flexible learning areas that can accommodate different activities and group sizes, promoting autonomy and choice.

7. Assessment and Individualised Planning:

Observation and Documentation: Document children’s progress, interests, and achievements through observations, portfolios, and informal assessments to update individualised learning plans.

Individualised Support: Tailor activities and interventions to meet each child’s developmental needs, strengths, and interests, ensuring inclusive and supportive learning experiences.

1. Philosophy and Goals:

Philosophy: Promote a child-led focus to learning that integrates structured activities to prepare children for school while fostering independence, confidence, and a love for learning.

Goals: Prepare children socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically for the transition to formal schooling through age-appropriate activities and experiences.

2. Routine Times:

Morning Circle Time: Engage in group discussions, songs, stories, and calendar activities to promote social skills, language development, and awareness of daily routines.

Structured Play Centres: Provide learning centres (e.g., literacy, maths, science, art, dramatic play) that offer opportunities for structured play and exploration based on children’s interests and developmental needs.

Project-Based Learning: Introduce longer-term projects that encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and deeper exploration of topics relevant to children’s interests and the curriculum.

Outdoor Play and Physical Activity: Incorporate daily outdoor playtime to develop gross motor skills, promote physical health, and encourage exploration of the natural environment.

3. Key Learning Experiences:

Literacy Development: Focus on pre-reading skills such as letter recognition, phonemic awareness, storytelling, and emergent writing through interactive and hands-on activities.

Mathematics: Introduce mathematical concepts such as counting, sorting, patterns, and basic addition/subtraction through games, manipulatives, and real-life applications.

Science Exploration: Conduct simple experiments, observe nature, explore cause-and-effect relationships, and develop critical thinking skills through hands-on science activities.

Creative Arts: Provide opportunities for creative expression through visual arts, music, movement, drama, and imaginative play, fostering creativity and self-expression.

4. Curriculum Components:

Child-Led Learning: Emphasise learning through play to develop social skills, problem-solving abilities, and resilience while allowing children to take initiative and make choices.

Structured Activities: Incorporate structured activities (e.g., circle time, small group instruction, guided learning centres) to introduce academic concepts and skills in a supportive and engaging manner.

Social-Emotional Development: Promote emotional regulation, empathy, conflict resolution, and positive peer interactions through group activities, discussions, and role-playing scenarios.

Cultural Awareness: Explore diversity, traditions, and community through stories, celebrations, and activities that promote respect and understanding among children.

5. Staffing and Interactions:

Facilitators of Learning: Act as guides and facilitators who support children’s learning through scaffolding, questioning, and providing opportunities for exploration and discovery.

Encouraging Autonomy: Foster independence by encouraging children to make choices, solve problems independently, and take responsibility for their learning and actions.

Positive Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement, praise, and encouragement to build confidence, self-esteem, and a positive attitude toward learning and challenges.

6. Environment:

Purposeful Learning Spaces: Design a classroom environment that is organised, stimulating, and conducive to learning, with clearly defined areas for different activities and learning centres.

Materials and Resources: Provide a variety of age-appropriate materials, manipulatives, books, and tools that encourage exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning experiences.

Safety and Accessibility: Ensure that materials and learning spaces are safe, accessible, and inviting to promote active engagement and independence among children.

7. Assessment and Individualised Planning:

Formative Assessment: Use ongoing observation, documentation, and informal assessments to monitor children’s progress, interests, and learning outcomes.

Individualised Support: Develop individualised learning plans and interventions based on assessment data to support each child’s unique strengths, needs, and developmental goals.