What Is The Purpose Of A Services Statement Of Philosophy

Understanding The Role Philosophy Plays in ECE

September xix, 2019

What does information technology really mean, and why is philosophy important?

When it comes time to choose an ECE service, nosotros believe information technology'due south vitally of import to empathize the philosophy of the centre - so of import that we recollect it should be one of the very first things you lot look at!

It can be something many parents overlook, merely the number of ECE centres around are almost endless (especially in a highly populated city like Auckland). How practise you know which centre is the correct centre for you? How do y'all choose a place to send your tamariki that feels correct, has cute teachers y'all connect with, and provides an surround that supports your child to their full potential?

Do you look at Montessori? Steiner? Pikler? The kindy downward the road? The centre across town that has slap-up reviews on the local Facebook page? Nosotros believe that the philosophy of a centre is like the beating centre and soul of the curriculum – and so it makes sense that when you're choosing a centre, you make sure yous take the fourth dimension to sympathize it. The philosophy that a centre is built on underpins everything – the style teachers collaborate with children, the community around the centre, the environment that your child volition be playing in and, peradventure most importantly, a philosophy influences the feel (wairua) of a centre when you and your child walk through the doors each morning.

What is an ECE Philosophy?

Philosophy statements are used by ECE centres to share the values and beliefs that frame their programme.

A philosophy influences every aspect of the kid's 24-hour interval, from the way the environment is gear up, to the office that teachers have in guiding children'southward play. Information technology even influences the fashion conversations and relationships are formed between kaiako and children. If the eye has an underlying value like respect, and so the teachers volition ever involve the children in respectful, reciprocal conversations virtually the day and activities they'd similar to explore.

A philosophy draws together everything that the ECE centre believes about education.

We believe all parents should look at, understand, and enquire questions well-nigh a centres philosophy before enrolling their child; information technology will point them towards the underlying beliefs that guide all the practices that the centre has. When your parenting philosophy aligns with a centre philosophy you'll observe a identify that meets your child'due south needs, and where you experience comfortable as a contributing role of the centre whānau. It'due south actually of import that you agree with the foundations the center is built on!

A philosophy connects the concepts of teaching and learning together – it describes and justifies the style education happens like it does, and the context around what's happening.
You tin read our Oma Rāpeti Philosophy here.

What exercise dissimilar philosophies hateful?

Every centre builds their own philosophy statement, and their teaching and environment will reflect what that is.

There are also some strong early childhood philosophies / theories that inspire many ECE centres and kindergartens in NZ, and you may have heard about or seen some of them. Here's a actually quick breakdown of each one.

Some common ECE theories:

Pikler

Dr Emmi Pikler inspired this arroyo. Information technology's based on kind and respectful relationships between adults and children, gentle care moments, naturally paced motor development, free movement and uninterrupted play.
Read more virtually Pikler philosophy here

Magda Gerber'southward RIE

The footing of Magda's Gerber's RIE philosophy is to respect and trust children to exist the initiator, the explorer, and a self learner. Sensitive observation of children allows teachers to understand their needs, and the child is involved in care routines equally an agile participant.

When you're in a RIE centre, you'll notice teachers observing children in their ain infinite - they'll take the time to get to know each child individually and see what they're capable of. Teachers volition then provide children with an environment that will foster their ongoing exploration of their globe. Children in RIE environments are trusted as being competent and capable, so they're always given opportunities to practise things for themselves - growing a wonderful sense of achievement and a lifelong beloved of learning.
Read more than about RIE here

Montessori

The Montessori method is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. In Montessori classrooms children make creative choices in their learning, while the classroom and the Montessori trained instructor offer age-advisable activities to guide the process.
Read more about the Montessori philosophy hither

Reggio Emilia

Centres inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach value the child as central to their ain learning; they're able to pursue their own interests and revisit and build upon ideas at their ain pace. A Reggio-inspired surroundings is often referred to equally 'the tertiary teacher'; the room and resources inside are called and strategically designed to enhance the child's play. In it's essence the room enables uninterrupted exploration, play and learning, acting as "the third teacher."
Read more virtually Reggio Emilia inspired philosophy here

Waldorf Steiner

A Waldorf perspective believes that in the first 7 years children learn through example and faux. Children learn themselves - non through education. Learning takes identify through play, as they imitate what they perceive in the world around them.
Teacher led learning takes place throughout the day through story-telling and song.
Read more about the Steiner arroyo here

Each of these philosophies have a very different take on what the ideal environment of an ECE centre should feel similar, what the teacher:child human relationship should look like, and the blazon of resources and activities that are provided during the day.

Why does a centre demand a philosophy?

In a nutshell, nosotros all need a philosophy in our centre to tell everyone who visits the states why we are special! No two philosophies volition be exactly akin. It tells anybody what nosotros promise to achieve as a centre, and why our surroundings is the way that it is.

A center philosophy doesn't take to exist long, but information technology should be articulate near why the service exists and what they stand for. A centre philosophy will unremarkably be based on, or inspired by, a potent ECE theory (like Pikler and the piece of work of Magda Gerber). In Aotearoa, centres and kindergartens also look toward the underpinning values of Te Whāriki (the National Early Childhood Curriculum of Aotearoa).

Equally you lot'll exist able to run into from the variety of theories to a higher place, at that place are differences in the way a philosophy can influence how children are cared for in a middle. A lot of centres will be guided by these theories, and add their own nuances and beliefs into their philosophy – weaving the two together.
For case: A Reggio Emilia inspired center may accept a large inside atelier with lots of natural light, while another centre inspired past the same philosophy volition focus more on the outdoor environment and nature. Both are inspired past Reggio Emilia, but the issue volition be slightly unlike considering the personal philosophy of the centre has different influences.

Who influences a center philosophy?

Everyone who has a part to play in the centre environment has the opportunity to contribute:

parents/whānau
educators
coordinators
the service provider

The philosophy is the chirapsia heart of the centre, the soul of the curriculum and the spirit that nourishes your kid'south twenty-four hour period when they are in intendance – so yous want to make sure information technology beats in fourth dimension with yours besides.

Oma Rāpeti Philosophy

A potent philosophy is important because this shapes how your child'southward 24-hour interval will exist while at your called heart.

We're guided past the piece of work of Pikler, RIE and Te Whāriki at Oma Rāpeti – children always come showtime.
The primal aspects of our approach are:

A master carer system
Every moment of the solar day is an opportunity to communicate, reconnect, and encourage participation from our children
We trust that our children are competent and capable
Strong social and emotional support
A rubber, challenging, and anticipated environment
A "home abroad from dwelling house"
The outdoors and open-air play are essential for a salubrious torso, listen and spirit
High-quality diet is of import for health, well-being, growth, and development

Read about what a child's 24-hour interval looks similar at Oma Rāpeti hither.

Children at Oma Rāpeti are empowered and involved in processes and decisions and they accept ownership of their spaces within the centre. They are an integral part of the routines, rituals and events in our Oma Rāpeti abode.

When you're choosing an early on childhood eye, make sure yous continue an middle out for the centre philosophy. Whether it be a local kindergarten, the new centre on the block or the heart all the other parents brag near, it'south important that the philosophy works for you and your family.

The philosophy will guide how your kid'southward day is, how their learning is valued and how the teachers and children build their relationships. Information technology will also inspire the environment, and the blazon of resource and activities the heart uses.

If y'all'd similar to know more about our philosophy, be sure to give us a call and come up visit our habitation-away-from-home.

Enjoy our blog? Check out another 1: How to go your child to eat