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.”
Nicky McCarthy – Queanbeyan and District Preschool Association
Nicky has worked in the Early Learning industry for more than 25 years in a variety of roles from Educator through to Centre Director, Area Manager, Advisory & Development Coordinator, Program Manager and Quality Advisor. Currently, Nicky is the Managing Director of a group of community-based Preschools in NSW. In this role, she has recently project managed the construction, fitout and opening of a new community Preschool for her organisation and it is through this process that she partnered with Step4 for the fitout of the new Preschool.
After spending part of her teenage years living in a remote part of the Kimberley in Western Australia, Nicky’s appreciation for the indigenous history of Australia began. Through her career, she has worked with and assisted Educators and Directors in their journey of understanding this important aspect of learning and history and how to ensure that their approach is collaborative, respectful and appropriate.
Nicky has recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Education as a specialisation subject for an ongoing Masters of Education. The extension of her own understanding of Indigenous perspectives was something that she wanted to support and this has assisted her in identifying ways that she can further support Educators across all levels and experience in reflecting on and extending their own knowledge.
Prue Gardner
Prue commenced her career as an early childhood educator before progressing to a centre Directors role. She later became an Area Manager supporting children, services and families throughout Sydney..
Prue has been working with STEP4 for almost 4 years now supporting services with their ongoing needs and requirements for resources, furniture and equipment as well as contributing her industry knowledge and design concepts to new centre startups. She loves the creative process of working with service owners, managers and educators to enable their vision come to life and create engaging and bespoke learning environments where children’s curiosity and engagement can be fostered. She loves sharing her passion and ideas and working collaboratively with industry leaders, educators and owners.
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