Here We Grow Nursery School

Curriculum Statement

At Here We Grow we believe that children learn most effectively through play. Social, emotional, intellectual and physical development occurs for each child at their own rate.  It is our goal to provide a nurturing as well as stimulating environment where children feel free to interact with the world around them. 

Our curriculum helps to extend the child’s knowledge, build vocabulary, creative thinking and stimulates the children’s reasoning. Here We Grow prepares preschool children for school in developmentally appropriate ways by providing opportunities to build proceeding skills and concepts including social awareness and self help skills.

Here We Grow supports children's learning & development with a daily schedule that ensures that educators extend and enhance learning through both planned and spontaneous activities, both one-on-one and in a group setting. Planned activities such as Circle Time offers the children activities based on their interests and development in a smaller group. These activities focus on encouraging children to develop and advance their physical, social, emotional and cognitive skills. Several options are made available such as art and puzzles which develop fine motor skills, and snack where children can have conversations and express ideas and learn to listen to others. This also allows children to feel comfortable in the predictability of the schedule throughout their day. Spontaneous activities take place as educators offer suggestions, additional play materials and ideas to children to extend and enhance ongoing activities and play.

Curriculum is guided by topics and concepts that arise from observing children to determine interest and curiosity.  Staff communicate their observations verbally, as well as written. These observations help staff decide what type of activities, toys, books and materials, to provide to the children arranging the play space to enhance their learning and development. For example if  the children are interested in “bugs” we would arrange an outdoor walk to look for different insects, add bug costumes to the dress up area, arrange for an entomologist to bring insects in for the kids to see, add rubber insects into the sensory table, and add books about insects into the library area. Early Childhood Educators coordinate the curriculum planning in consultation with each other and the children. Curriculum planning and implementation is supported through the organization of resources within the centre, in storage, on file and in resource boxes. ECEs often refer to resource books and the internet to expand upon the curriculum. Materials are rotated based upon the interests of children, seasons & celebrations, such as during fall & harvesting we add tractors, trucks & combines to the block center or corn & other cereal seeds are added to the sensory table. Songs, stories & music are added to group time to enhance each child’s learning.

We build relationships with children & families and between children by having & encouraging warm & friendly conversations throughout the day. Staff stimulate children's thought process by asking questions such as “Where does corn come from?” “What does a combine do?” We provide opportunities for large & small group activities & for individual play daily. We encourage children to learn to self-regulate, make choices & co-operate with others.

Our schedule is consistent but flexible so we can meet the needs of all children. Children learn stability and practice independence through the choices that are available. Transitions occur when children are ready for the next event of the day and are used as learning opportunities such as learning self help skills like bathrooming, washing hands & getting dressed.

We believe in the importance of a well-educated team of ECE’s and educators. We value the learning opportunities that our ECE’s provide to the children. Educators who foster children’s growth and development have the opportunity to support parents in order to shape well-rounded individuals who will one day contribute to their communities.

We believe in the importance of effective communication in order to ensure that there is a sense of belonging. We appreciate the necessity of building and fostering relationships with children, families, schools, outside agencies and the community at large. Beginning each day with a greeting by name to each of the children and their family members and daily conversation, we can establish the necessary lines of communication to meet each child’s specific need and to keep families informed of their child’s day. Staff view parents & families as an important resource to our center and make themselves available & accessible to answer any questions and concerns. Parent newsletters, parent boards, telephones as well as e-mail are all avenues of ensuring that information is shared.

We believe that children are, by nature, accepting of others differences and embrace diversity. We respect each child as a unique individual with the rights to attention, love respect and quality care. Our program is inclusive of children of all abilities and backgrounds. Program activities as well as the environment are planned with all children in mind by ensuring that play materials and equipment reflect diverse cultures and individuality. Our play materials include such items as books, dress up clothes, food, music and pictures which represent various cultures and backgrounds. We encourage families to share their cultural beliefs, by bringing in pictures, materials, games, music, instruments, etc. to share during circle time.

To determine the effectiveness of the curriculum we will expect to observe happy engaged children meeting their developmental milestones. Our curriculum is continuously modified to meet children’s needs and abilities and expand on their interests.