Our Curriculum
Infants
At Victoria’s Day Care, we understand the importance of providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for our youngest learners. Our infant curriculum is designed to support the unique needs and developmental milestones of each child through responsive care, engaging activities, and a structured yet flexible schedule. Attachment, Trust and Autonomy are fundamental principles that guide our approach, ensuring that each child feels secure while developing independence.
Responsive Care:
We believe that responsive care is the foundation of a high-quality infant program. Our teachers work closely with parents to share important information and ensure that each child's individual needs are met. From feeding and diapering to sleep and play, our caregivers provide attentive and loving care, helping infants feel secure and valued. This close partnership with parents fosters trust and enhances the caregiving experience.
Attachment:
Ensuring each child forms secure attachments with their caregivers through consistent, warm, and responsive interactions. This fosters a sense of safety and trust, which is crucial for healthy emotional development.
Trust:
Creating an environment where infants feel safe and secure, knowing that their needs will be met reliably and lovingly. This trust forms the basis for confident exploration and learning. We emphasize the importance of building strong, trusting relationships between caregivers and infants.
Autonomy:
Encouraging infants to explore their surroundings and develop independence at their own pace. We provide opportunities for children to make choices and engage in self-directed play, promoting a sense of autonomy and self-confidence.
By focusing on these core principles, we aim to create a nurturing and supportive environment that fosters each child's growth and development in the early stages of life.
Toddlers to kindergarten
We believe that a well-rounded education is essential for fostering the holistic development of every child. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to integrate the best practices from various educational theories, ensuring that we cater to the diverse needs and interests of all our children.
Inclusive and Adaptive Environment:
We strive to create an inclusive environment where all children feel welcome and respected. Our curriculum is adaptable, allowing us to meet the diverse needs of our children and families. We continuously evaluate and refine our practices to ensure that we are providing the highest quality of care and education.
Individualized Skill Development:
We focus on eliciting and supporting each child’s specific skills across multiple domains of development, including fine and gross motor skills, cognitive abilities, social competencies, and self-help skills. Our educators guide children through progressively more challenging activities, helping them master new skills at their own pace. For example, we might encourage a child to take steps while holding on to an adult's hands, gradually promoting independence and confidence.
Physical and Social Contexts:
Our curriculum places significant emphasis on creating a physical and social environment that nurtures spontaneous play. We recognize that play is a primary means of promoting physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. By fostering an environment rich with diverse learning materials and opportunities for interaction, we help children build vital social skills, such as communication and collaboration. Drawing on Piaget's theory of cognitive development, we ensure that every experience has meaningful, context-driven learning outcomes.
Thematic Units:
Our thematic units allow us to integrate various subjects and skills around a central topic, making learning more meaningful and engaging for children. By exploring themes such as community helpers, seasons, or animals, children can connect their learning to the world around them, enhancing their understanding and retention of new concepts
Active Teacher Facilitation:
Our teachers play an active role in facilitating children's play and learning. They engage with small groups, providing guidance, posing questions, and helping children extend their thinking. This hands-on involvement ensures that playtime is not only enjoyable but also rich with educational value, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Positive Reinforcement and Self-Esteem:
We use positive reinforcement to encourage and motivate children, helping them build self-esteem and confidence. By celebrating their achievements and providing constructive feedback, we create an environment where children feel valued and capable. This approach fosters a positive self-image and a love for learning.
Play-Based and Project-Based Learning:
We understand that play is a fundamental aspect of learning for young children. Our play-based curriculum emphasizes the importance of spontaneous, child-led play in a rich and supportive environment. Additionally, we incorporate project-based learning, where children explore topics of interest through in-depth investigation and hands-on activities. This approach nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.