Curriculum Statement
Blackfriars Early Learning Centre combines both a Reggio Emilia approach to Early Years Education with the Early Years Learning Framework. The program meets the needs of individual children in an environment that enhances the development of curiosity, persistence, resilience and a love of learning.
The Reggio Emilia Approach
The Reggio Emilia approach promotes learning through exploration and discovery in an inviting environment focussed on individual children’s interests. The environment is often considered ‘the third teacher’. The Reggio Emilia approach is based on four principles:
- Children must have some control over the direction of their learning – we call it ‘children’s voice’
- Children must be able to learn through experiences – to us ‘hands-on learning’
- Children must have a relationship with others and with materials and resources – relationships are vitally important to us and are the beginning of all learning and development Children must have opportunities to express themselves – children’s wellbeing
Early Years Learning Framework
Is a curriculum tool used for programming, evaluation and reporting.
Belonging, Being, Becoming are important facets of the framework.
- Belonging-knowing where and with whom you belong – is integral to human existence. Belonging is central to Being and Becoming in that it shapes who children are and who they can become.
- Being recognises the significance of the here and now in children’s lives. It is about the present and them knowing themselves, building and maintaining relationships with others, engaging with life’s joys and complexities and meeting challenges in everyday life.
- Becoming reflects the process of rapid and significant change that occurs in the early years as young children learn and grow. It emphasises learning to participate fully and actively in society.
The Framework works to five learning outcomes:
- Children have a strong sense of identity
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
- Children are confident and involved learners
- Children are effective communicators
Assessment and Documentation
Reporting on children’s growth and development takes many different forms in the Early Learning Centre.
- Each child has a discovery folder containing photographs, text and work samples recording participation in a variety of activities. The learning involved is related to the outcomes as listed above.
Additions are made at regular intervals, compiling a picture of the child’s achievements during their time at the Early Learning Centre. These are available at any time for children and families to peruse. - Staff are always happy to take part in conversations at drop off or pick up. For a more involved discussion an appointment is made with the child’s home room educators at a mutually convenient time.
- A formal report is compiled at the end of the child’s time with us, just before they move on to school. Growth, development, skills and abilities are related to the Early Years Learning Framework
- Visual documentation displays for families and children are exhibited all through the Centre enabling families to be informed of their child’s participation and learning. This also enables children the opportunity to revisit and possibly re-launch learning ideas.
Particular to Blackfriars Early Learning Centre:
- Being part of a Dominican Catholic School means that the Catholic religion is part of our learning. We take part in daily prayer, grace before lunch and engage in Godly play stories. The Catholic ethos is embedded in the way in which we spend our day.
- The outdoor area encompasses all areas of learning.
- Each day the children are offered opportunities to work
- In their home room
- Choose a variety of experiences both outdoor and indoor
- Spend large blocks of time outdoors
- Home rooms are integrated in relation to age.
- Children aged three, four and turning five work side by side.
- The Early Learning Centre is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan. We will strive to develop in our children and ourselves cultural knowledge, understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples.
- The Keeping Safe Child Protection Curriculum is implemented. The program is reviewed regularly. The plan encompasses:
- The right to be safe
- Relationships
- Recognising and reporting abuse
- Protective Strategies
At Blackfriars Early Learning Centre each child is seen as unique and competent and encouraged to build upon already acquired knowledge, follow areas of interest and curiosity and engage in deep and critical thinking.