Purchasing resources that provide multipurpose uses is not only cost effect but greatly benefit the service. Resources that can be used with adult directed, intentional teaching or alternatively by children in free open play benefit the program and create great flexibility. When looking to purchase new resources for your early learning service consider the multipurpose opportunities of the equipment you are buying – this will help you drive your budget further.
In the childcare environment it is important to celebrate special occasions with families to demonstrate that we as educators value them and their family units. Special events like Mother’s Day allow us the opportunity to help the children in our care celebrate their mum or mother figures in their lives. It is important to keep in mind the huge diversity within families today – consider whether Mother’s Day is important to a mother; a grandparent or single father. Here are some activity ideas which can be implemented within your service!
Buying resources and equipment is not only showing support for our fellow Australians. It comes with so many other benefits!
Many Australians already recognise the importance of buying locally however with the current world climate there is no better time to be supporting Australian owned business.
Making purchases for your new or existing early learning service can be a costly and sometimes time-consuming process and it is vitally important that when making these decisions you ensure they are worthwhile and align with the Early Years Learning Framework.
The Early Years Learning Framework or the EYLF as its commonly known provides a guideline for Early Learning services with regard to children’s development and learning and describes early childhood as a period of Being, Belonging and Becoming.
With services striving to implement and embed the Framework into daily practice, here are 5 simple hacks to ensure you are getting it right!
Sustainability has such an important role to play in today’s society with an environment that cannot take the high pressure it is under with a population has often taken more than it gives. Where better to start embedding sustainability than in an early learning environment with the minds of our future? Educating children about the importance of being a sustainable member of society from a young age is so important to protecting our environment.
The functionality of a space determines how children maximise opportunities to explore their environment and utilise their resources in a childcare centre. Ideally, spaces and furniture should be multi-functional to deliver the most benefit to both educators and children alike. Consideration for smooth transitions and children to easily maneuver from once space to another, easy supervision and visual connection to the physical environment are also important. STEP4 has some tips for creating functional learning spaces that flow.
National Recycling Week is an important time to teach the children they can make a difference – after all, they are our future! Teaching children to care for the environment is a learning experience that is an important part of growing up. It gives them skills in respect, empathy, responsibility and teaches them about consequences. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
