In the Centre

Programming and Planning

The Children's Hospital at Westmead Child Care Centre has implemented the 'Emergent Curriculum' approach, which aims to provide a high quality program that reflects the individual needs and interests of every child. Children will be encouraged to be actively involved in the learning process, to experience a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and materials.

Staff observe the children's behaviour and skills and use this as a basis for individual program planning. Staff plan realistic curriculum goals and objectives for individual children and each room displays a written weekly program for the parents to read.

Modifications are made in the environment for children with additional needs and when necessary staff make appropriate, professional referrals in conjunction with the parents.

The program refers to all our activities during the day and provides children with balanced opportunities for quiet times and group times, adequate rest periods, small and large group activities. The program and individual objectives are evaluated weekly. All the materials and equipment within the program reflect the cultural diversity that exists in our society and avoid stereotyping of any group.

Goals are set with the parents and staff at the beginning of the year and evaluated with parents and staff at the end of the year.

The program also includes, on a daily basis, the opportunity for children to experience:

1. Indoor and outdoor activities;
2. Opportunities to strengthen and enhance fine and gross motor skills;
3. Experience concepts of maths and science through activities such as cooking, block play, water play, collection nature items, board games, etc;
4. Language development is encouraged through staff modelling, play, language groups, songs, finger plays, games, poems, drama and child to child interaction;
5. School readiness, social/emotional and independence skills are strengthened through a wide range of activities designed to enhance a child's auditory, visual and tactile senses; and
6. Music/movement activities are offered daily to encourage physical, social/intellectual and fun areas of child's development.

Staff provide a variety of developmentally appropriate experiences and materials that are selected to achieve the following goals:

• Foster positive self concept;
• Develop social skills;
• Encourage children to think, reason, question and experiment;
• Enhance physical development and skills;
• Encourage and demonstrate sound health, safety and nutritional practices;
• Encourage creative expression; and
• Respect cultural diversity of staff and children.

Children are offered a choice of experiences that the staff have planned or the children initiated. Staff respect the child's right to choose not to participate at times. Staff are flexible and change planned or routine experiences according to the needs and interests of the children, to cope with other situations eg, weather changes.

Staff allow frequent opportunities to have friendly spontaneous interaction with all children individually and respond to them warmly. Routine tasks are incorporated into the program as a means of furthering children learning self help and social skills. All children need to feel they are valued individuals and capable of achieving their full potential.