Program Statement
"In every seed, there is the promise of a forest." - Susan Jeffers
"In every seed, there is the promise of a forest." - Susan Jeffers
Rockcliffe Child Care Centre strives to provide an environment that embodies the comfort and safety of home. Our program and curriculum reflect the research and guidelines provided by How Does Learning Happen? Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years (HDLH), and its supporting framework, Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT); a set of guiding principles with a focus on specific developmental domains that emphasize a holistic approach to child development, and the use of a developmental continuum to support children's learning.
The HDLH pedagogy focuses on learning and development through relationships and built on four foundational conditions: Belonging, Well-being, Engagement, and Expression.
In supporting HDLH and ELECT, the centre also uses the accompanying Think, Feel, Act framework in understanding children's thinking through documentation, supporting the development of self-regulation and self-expression, and fostering a sense of self. This framework emphasizes the connection between positive relationships, brain development, and learning.
Please expand the sections below to learn more about the frameworks!
Belonging
Building responsive and healthy relationships between children and adults.
Creating a sense of community and inclusion for all children.
Well-being
Promoting resilience, self-regulation, and emotional health.
Encouraging connections with the outdoor world.
Ensuring children feel safe and secure.
Expression
Providing opportunities for creative expression through various art forms.
Allowing children to explore their ideas in safe and inclusive environments.
Supporting the development of children's identity and cultural awareness.
Engagement
Fostering curiosity and a sense of purpose.
Designing learning environments that are rich in materials and routines that support exploration.
Promoting a mindset that encourages healthy thinking, problem-solving, and social connections.
Learning is an ongoing process that can be supported through environments and experiences that foster these conditions.
Principles
Positive experiences in early childhood set the foundation for lifelong learning, behaviour, health, and well-being.
Partnerships with families and communities are essential for meeting the diverse needs of young children.
Respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion is vital for honouring children's rights and ensuring optimal development and learning for all.
An intentional, planned program (curriculum) supports early learning by establishing goals for children's holistic development.
Play and inquiry are the primary learning approaches that leverage children's natural curiosity, exuberance, and problem-solving skills.
Knowledgeable, responsive, and reflective educators are essential for fostering secure relationships and supporting children's development
Developmental Domains
Physical: Gross and fine motor skills, health, self-care.
Social: Interactions with others, sense of belonging.
Emotional: Self-regulation, self-concept, well-being.
Communication, Language, and Literacy: Verbal and non-verbal communication, emergent literacy skills.
Cognitive: Thinking, problem-solving, curiosity, imagination.
Think
Pedagogical Documentation: Involves observing and documenting children's learning and development through methods like images and videos to better understand their thinking and learning processes.
Feel
Self-Regulation and Well-being: Focuses on helping children develop the ability to manage stress and their emotions, which is crucial for long-term well-being and laying the foundation for future learning.
Act
Sense of Self and Expression: Focuses on supporting children's self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-esteem by providing opportunities for them to have a voice, express themselves, and engage in positive communication.
In addition, RCCC actively practices the Conscious Discipline approach; an approach that focuses on helping both adults and children learn to manage their emotions and behaviours through self-regulation, in which educators model healthy emotional responses so they can more effectively guide children through conflicts; viewing discipline as a teaching moment rather than punishment. In other words, “focusing on what you want instead of what you don’t want” (Dr. Becky Bailey). In its practice, RCCC enacts the notion of being an "extension of the home" by implementing the School Family philosophy guided by Conscious Discipline.
We believe that children have the right to high-quality child care and recognize the unique strengths and abilities of each individual; molding their autonomy by viewing them as competent, capable, and curious, and at the same time, maintaining that sense of community by helping one another.
Our purpose as educators is to ensure the fostering of growth of each child’s full potential, allowing them to fully participate in the program and engage with peers in an inclusive and meaningful way. Every child should feel that they belong, that they are a valuable contributor to their surroundings, and that they deserve the opportunity to succeed.
The following categorized goals guide the structure of our programming and our centre. Expand each section to learn about our emergent curriculum (the ideas, concepts, play, and routines that follow on a daily basis) and our pedagogy (how our educators support learning and interact with the children and their families).
Greet families and ensure a safe transfer of care.
Check-in with families for updates or information regarding their child.
Track attendance and confirming ratios are met.
Monitor the children's' health and behaviours throughout the day.
Physically position to see, hear, and supervise children at all times, using knowledge of each child to anticipate and prevent risks.
Instruct children on ways to avoid the spread of germs (e.g. covering coughs by coughing against elbow, proper handwashing techniques, etc.).
Ensure all staff, students, and visitors are aware of the list of children with anaphylaxis' and/or special diets.
Model healthy eating and positive attitudes and behaviours towards food.
For more information on RCCC practices regarding nutrition, please see our Nutritional Booklet.
Enforce policies for safe drop-offs and pick-ups, field trips, and proper storage of medications and cleaning supplies.
Continue proper hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and disinfecting surfaces, to prevent the spread of illness.
Report any observations or changes in a child's health through Digibot.
Depending on the dietary restriction or preference, provide food with an inclusive mindset by purchasing equivalent substitutes for children with allergens or a special diet (i.e. lactose and gluten-free).
Research new food and recipes with the children’s best interests in mind, following the Canadian Food Guide and the Paint Your Plate approach by the Ontario Dietitians in Public Health.
Maintain an environment free of hazards which involve regular safety checks of indoor and outdoor equipment.
Conduct emergency drills (e.g., fire drills, lockdown procedures), be trained in First Aid and CPR, and maintain up-to-date emergency contact information for all children.
Mandate to report any suspected signs of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.
Model positive and healthy communication skills, especially when children are experiencing overwhelming emotions.
Practice taking deep breaths and going through big-feelings with the children.
Maintain a caring environment that provides comfort and reassurance, such as hugs or a "support band-aid" for children who are upset.
Direct children to developmentally appropriate activities and encourage independence.
Promote social-emotional development by using positive guidance and Conscious Discipline to help children express emotions, manage conflicts, build positive relationships, and develop self-regulation skills.
Support children with calming techniques and Safe Spaces where they can practice regulating their feelings.
Set expectations that are developmentally appropriate.
Scaffold children’s learning by providing adjusted support to meet the individual child's needs.
Use the science of mirror neurons and create safe spaces with love and laughter.
Allow children to actively ask questions and be curious about the world around them.
Teach children how to use tools such as shovels, magnets, magnifying glasses, and so on, to enhance inquiry and exploration.
Permit children to be "risk assessors", engaging in big body movement and balance without "hovering" over their play.
Go along with the children's in-the-moment findings and create extended learning opportunities.
Create Provocations and Invitations to Play; which are thoughtful presentations of open-ended materials arranged to spark a child's curiosity and encourage them to explore, create, and extend their play.
Provide children with a wide-range of tools, materials, and skills to explore with.
Supervise "risky play" without interjecting the children's imagination and exploration.
Understand that learning occurs through a mix of both planned activities and spontaneous, in-the-moment experiences that arise from play.
Inquire and reflect on the documentation and observations of the children’s learning experiences.
Implement a daily schedule that considers the children's need for a balance of rest, gross motor play, and quiet time, while also respecting individual needs.
Encourage both structured and unstructured active play, indoors and outdoors, to support physical development and healthy growth.
Utilize our Canadian four seasons and changeable weather to provide opportunities for gross motor play, environmental education, and scientific discovery outdoors.
Encourage play with natural materials and the environment (e.g. gardening, digging for insects, exploring the mini "forest" by the Preschool Yard", going on short walking trips around the neighbourhood).
Comfort and soothe children to sleep during rest period (Toddler and Preschool Programs).
Provide children who are awake with quiet activities such as books or busy boxes.
Ensure Safe Spaces remain comfortable and filled with emotional regulated activities.
Create Provocations and Invitations to Play that complement play-based learning.
Collect and provide children with loose parts for both indoor and outdoor play.
Ensure children in care for over 6 hours are required to have 2-hours of outdoor play daily (weather permitting) and children attending after-school care are offered a minimum of 30-minutes of outdoor play daily (weather permitting).
Promote the need for Big Body Play and uses of natural materials that support gross and fine motor skills, as well as sensory input.
Confirm our playgrounds are equipped with developmentally appropriate play structures and equipment, with gymnasium access available during implement weather.
Facilitate rest and quiet play which are crucial for a child's physical and mental health.
Perform sleep checks every 30-minutes during rest period, specifically in the Toddler Program.
Create spaces that provide children seeking quiet time away from busy activities.
Create activities that allow children to actively engage in their play at a level suitable for their developmental stage.
Share the excitement about the children's discoveries and are flexible to the spontaneity.
Co-learn and co-plan alongside the children.
Invite children to help with everyday-type tasks (they are programmed to be little helpers).
Allow children to express themselves; a valuable part of the overall emergent curriculum and program planning strategy.
Observe play, ask open-ended questions, and modify play materials (adding or removing them) to enhance learning.
Ask children (when age-appropriate) for input regarding toys, equipment, and materials.
Encourage children to provide feedback on what they would like more of, less of, change, or add to their environment.
Implement individual, small group, or large group activities.
Utilize observations of their play to reflect on and evaluate experiences, ensuring that individual and group needs are consistently met.
Replicate home life with the comfort of routine, expression, and safety, proudly providing an extension of home.
Visibly create a web of interests and at times, expand the web with the children and their families.
Display and share children’s photos, artwork, and documented experiences.
Collaborate with families to create Individualized Support Plans (ISP) that meet the needs of the child.
Value, respect, and recognize the importance of diversity, values, and culture of the children, families, and educators.
Carefully plan, create, and set up inclusive programs and playgrounds where each child's learning and development is supported, including children with individualized plans.
Review ISPs on an ongoing basis to ensure they remain appropriate and effective, and modify it over time to reflect changes in the child’s abilities, evolving needs, and changing circumstances.
Welcome and acknowledge families as they enter or leave the program.
Actively listen and maintain eye contact with children and their families.
Use the child's interests and create extensions for learning.
Express genuine interest in children's accomplishments and efforts.
Engage families in their child’s learning by including them in decisions.
Share documentation and observations throughout the day through Digibot.
Focus on equity and embrace the many types of diversity in the program.
Recognize that the child's family are the primary caregivers.
Maintain an "open-door policy" that encourages families to visit, ask questions, and share concerns at any time.
Create pieces formed by the children's interests and share it with the children's' families through program displays or Digibot posts.
Respect cultural and familial diversity and actively learn from families.
Unwelcome attitudes and behaviours based on race, ancestry, place of origin, ethnic background, religious belief, non-belief, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical challenges, education, marital, economic, or family status
Schedule meetings with families when required.
Maintain collaborative relationships with families by sharing information about their child's progress, well-being, and any concerns verbally or through Digibot.
Ask families to participate in their child's readiness for special-day events (e.g. themed PD Days, March Break, or Summer activities).
Invite families to share their skills, read a story, or assist with specific projects or activities.
Create the sense of a second family by keeping families engaged in both a professional and personal level.
Solicit feedback from families regarding program satisfaction, menu planning, and activity ideas.
Be responsive to family inquiries, questions, and concerns in a respectful and non-judgmental manner, providing updates and reassurance when needed.
Share resources and information with families on topics such as nutrition, First Words, toilet-training, safety practices in the home, and community support services.
Gracefully accept donations and resources from the community or past families.
Attend local community events at the Library / Community Centre with the children.
Invite families as part of the program to share their knowledge, expertise, and/or special talents.
Maintain strong relationships with families who have left the centre and happily welcome them back when they visit.
Preserve longterm relationships with the local Library / Community Centre, Fire Department, and John Cundell Stables.
Reach out to local artists and entertainers to schedule days for Summer Programming.
Welcome third-party services for additional guidance and support such as Children's Inclusion Support Services (CISS), applying their feedback and using their resources.
Contact garden centers or stores for donations that complement the learning experiences of the program (e.g. plants donated by Ritchie Feed and Seed).
To learn more about our community relationships, please visit Community page.
Discuss and plan amongst team members any strategies, modifications, or activities for the children in the program.
Continually practice the Conscious Discipline approach by applying core structures and use of language.
Attend monthly staff meetings and training which allow for collaboration of information, experiences, and thoughts among all the staff.
Share new information and resources with families and staff after attending a workshop.
To view our previous ongoing learning experiences, please see the Ongoing Learning page on our website.
Engage in ongoing professional development and maintain required certifications to stay informed about the latest in the field of early childhood education and childcare.
Attend workshops, read relevant literature, engage in self-reflection, and pursue ongoing communication with team members and community experts.
Provide full-time staff with a budget for professional development.
Share resources, tools, and learning opportunities with staff.
Identify professional development goals and plans through annual performance review.
Maintain documentation and all communication with families and staff through Digibot.
Continue best practices and remain compliant in the role of an Educator at Rockcliffe Child Care Centre.
Adapt to any amendments of governing acts and regulations such as the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA), public health, or the Ministry of Education of the Government of Ontario.
Participate in the Annual General Meeting held by the Board of Directors.
Review and sign all policies and procedures at the annual review and/or amendments to any regulations.
Conduct annual staff performances with the Director to establish program goals and achieve personal and professional goals.