Here at Teddybears Childcare Centre (TBCCC), our goal is to provide an environment for children, families, staff members and the local community that is warm, friendly and welcoming. We seek to create opportunities where all stakeholders can share their ideas, skills, knowledge, culture, language, and traditions through open communication, honest feedback, and involvement in the centre.
In relation to children:
We recognise that children are world citizens, and are part of the local and global community, and we strive to build a trusting relationship with each child. We seek to provide an environment and curriculum that promotes holistic development and high expectations for children across all areas of development through intentional teaching and spontaneous learning.
We aim to do this by:
- Building a child-focused program which is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework – Belonging, Being & Becoming, and the National Quality Framework
- Providing a stimulating environment that creates opportunities for children to develop their learning in areas including creative and expressive arts, numeracy, literacy, and science.
- Modelling our practices on the ‘Circle of Security’, and using it as a map to help us read the emotional needs of children and to understand our role in building a secure relationship
- Creating an environment that encourages each child to develop their personality, self-esteem, and confidence through experiences that build upon their skills, abilities and interest
- Fostering and role modelling positive behaviours that encourage the children to respect other children, to respect their culture and other cultures.
- Developing an inclusive approach, which supports the participation of children with additional needs.
In relation to families:
We believe that trust and respect are fundamental in building a strong and positive relationship with our families. We understand that family involvement in the program is essential in achieving TBCCC’s goals and philosophy in relation to children.
We aim to do this by:
- Building an open communication with families, that welcomes shared decision making about their child’s learning and wellbeing
- Respecting family needs and practices, and providing a supportive environment
- Providing opportunities for families to be engaged in the service practices.
In relation to the staff
We understand that employing educators that are committed to the wellbeing of the children are essential in the provision of an environment that is responsive, and respectful to promote children’s sense of security. This is supported through our emergent knowledge and understanding of the attachment theory and their role in building a secure relationship.
We aim to do this by:
- Having an open communication with staff, where respect is built and confidentiality is maintained
- Supporting staff members with ongoing professional development opportunities for all staff
- Providing educators with non-contact time for programming and documentation
In relation to the community
As a community, we also acknowledge the custodians of this land, and take pride in encouraging and teaching respect for all the people and environment around us.
We aim to do this by:
- Encouraging students and volunteers to take part in the service
- Engaging with the local community events and encouraging the children to explore and discover their environment, fostering curiosity and a sense of belonging through excursions, incursion, learning experiences and interactions with people in our community
- Regularly evaluating our practices and reviewing our policies and procedures.
Teddybears, more than just play!