Long Day Care Learning Reflection, Term 1, Week 1 & 2

 

Welcome to Holy Family Catholic School Long Day Care 2023.

 

Learning Intention 1

To support new children and families to develop a sense of belonging to the Holy Family Early Years Learning environments and to develop relationships within their community.

We feel incredibly blessed to be able to welcome the Early Learners to the Holy Family Catholic School Long Day Care. It has been a wonderful start as the children entered the precinct with great interest and enthusiasm. They displayed inquisitiveness and eagerly participated in the provided learning experiences. They showed curiosity about the play equipment and waterway with water source at the yard. Happily explored the indoor, outdoor environment with equal interest.

In the very beginning of our learning journey, we focused on building trust, respectful and reciprocal relationship. Children took active parts in small groups, music and movement activities, engaged with individual learning experiences focused to support their sense of security and belonging.

Children were excited to see their own bag lockers. They loved the idea to identify their locker by their name tags. They uniquely designed their tags by drawing on them to fit their individualities.

During morning group time, after the acknowledgement of the country and prayer; children were encouraged to talk about their interests amongst themselves. Their favourite activities, fruits, colours, books. The intention was to deepen their understanding of their peers. They confidently identified and discussed about their favourite activities. Such included painting or drawing, play dough, riding the trikes and construction with different types of building blocks, wooden blocks or recycled items.

Children showed keen interest in construction experiences. They liked to manipulate objects, to take apart, assemble, invent and construct. They used building experiences to investigate, imagine and explore ideas. It also helped them to focus and settle down.

Playing at the sandpit, home and kitchen corner were evidently their favourites.

Another engaging experience for the children as well as the educators were reading books, listening to the stories and understanding the meaning of illustrations. And so, the children often chose the books to be read during group time.

Children are communicating both verbally and non-verbally with each other, sometimes playing side by side and mostly together. Development of their friendships are promising and noticeable, happy moments are visible through the talking, smiles and sparkly eyes.

Evidently, they are developing a sense of security and trust. They feel safe, accepted and supported by everyone around them, educators and peers alike.

 

Learning Intention 2

To refine and establish a daily routine that supports consistency and predictability for children and educators yet remains responsive to the needs of the community

This week, our main focus was on the daily routine. To refine the activities which serves the best. Supporting each and every child individually to understand the regular rituals. Children are learning to be attuned with everyday routine and activities. Knowing what to expect next and getting familiar with the designated areas for different learning stations.

Children know their own bag lockers; they know where the drink bottles are. During group time, we discussed about summer, hot weather, the importance of applying sunscreen, put on hats and to keep the shoes on.

They are developing better understanding about their environment. Group time, sensory play, art and craft space, climbing area at the yard and many more. They now know the location of the bathroom, dining room and sleep/rest area. Children are getting engaged in different activities with confidence and interest.

 

Extension of Learning:

It has been amazing to start our new journey.  Planning, organising and reflecting on current practices to create a better tomorrow. We planned to continue different experiences to deepen our understanding about children’s likings and interests. To keep the Reading time regular as well as adding related resources to present the stories.