IGNITE CURRICULUM

IGNITE is an acronym that stands for: Interest based planning; Goal setting; Nurturing Environments; Intellectual Curiosity; Teaching Excellence; Energy

Our unique IGNITE curriculum is based on our belief that children learn through play and exploring their environment. Our IGNITE curriculum develops the whole child. The learning process is through social interactions, allowing children to investigate and discover at their own pace, constructing their own knowledge. In our role as educators, we respond to, expand and build upon the children’s strengths and interests. The process can be directed by children, and their development lies in the process not the outcome. Our intention is to ensure that each child is supported and guided through their play.

Interest Based Planning:

The children’s interests provide the basis for our planning, and guide our core curriculum. Our innovative programs develop creative and confident learners, who become active and involved citizens. By empowering children to have a voice, to become effective communicators and be autonomous within their environment, we are developing their confidence.

Children express their interests in diverse ways. We support these interests and extend on children’s development through discussions with children and families as well as observation and documentation.

Goal Setting

Our goal as educators is to enrich children’s learning whilst at Honeybears. This includes emotional goals such as adjusting to an early childhood setting and establishing the fundamentals for success in play based learning.

We recognise that early childhood is a vital period in children’s learning and development and that the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) provides a foundation for our goals for children:

Children have a strong sense of identity
Children are connected and contribute to their world
Children have a strong sense of well being
Children are confident and involved learners
Children are effective communicators

We value the collaborative partnerships we have with families. Interviews are offered twice a year to families as we support each other in sharing and supporting each child’s experience

Nurturing Environment

In a supportive and nurturing environment, children are able to learn from and create meaning for themselves through the diverse experiences and challenges they will encounter. The environment is acknowledged as an educator in its own right. Spaces are characterised by cleanliness, comfort and security. Areas consist of natural beauty that stimulate a thirst for learning, challenging and compelling children to explore their surrounds.

We are inspired by the Principles of Reggio Emilia, a region in Italy renowned for their collaborative approach in educating children. Play spaces are designed to enhance creativity, engagement and discovery. Open ended, natural materials invite exploration, interaction, thought provocation and imagination.

Creativity provides children with the opportunity to express their ideas and feelings, as well as to develop important problem solving skills that will assist them throughout their lifetime. Creativity also encourages children to learn about themselves and to embrace their individuality.

Intellectual Curiosity

From birth – five years of age, a persons brain develops more than any other time in life. Therefore, early brain development has a lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed within their environment. Our curriculum reflects the importance of stimulating brain development, to develop the connections children need to be healthy, capable and successful adults. At Honeybears, we provide experiences that allow each child’s brain to develop the connections needed for many higher -order abilities like motivation, self- regulation, problem solving and communication.

We encourage children to be co-constructors of their own learning, to be autonomous and independent. We aim to enhance each child’s individual potential, ensuring they are challenged and inspired to achieve.

Our unique school preparation program was created by our Educational Leader in conjunction with the NSW public school curriculum key learning areas of Maths, English, Science, Creative Arts, PDHPE and HSIE. Each week we focus on key learning areas to maximise social and cognitive growth, language and physical development.

Teaching Excellence

The team at Honeybears Early Learning Centre, collectively advocate for the rights of young children to enjoy excellence in early childhood education. We believe that children are curious, competent individuals and that the role of educators is to assist children as they develop ideas and theories.

We share an image of the child that is resourceful and capable. We recognise that children learn in a social context and understand the importance of relationships and interactions in children’s learning. We believe quality care is sustained by professional educators who share a passion and commitment to educating children. Our team of educators are advocates for the rights of young children and act as positive role models to the children, each other and the community.

Our educators are highly qualified and experienced professionals. Our educator:child ratios are consistently high, allowing for quality interactions, planning as well as small and large group experiences. We maintain a holistic approach, are responsive to children, whilst they learn and navigate through play. We consistently reflect and review our curriculum, assessment tools and all our practices to ensure they reflect our philosophy.

Energy

Honeybears promotes fun, physical activity every day. We foster the development of children’s movement skills through a variety of spontaneous and planned active play experiences. Our outdoor environment is beautiful and natural with open ended experiences for children to enjoy. Music is also an important component of our daily program. Children generally respond well to music as it is fun and fosters creativity and joy. As babies grow into toddlers, music can be used to reinforce their development and help meet important milestones.

Within our curriculum, children are also taught about health and nutrition. We believe that children need to know how to care for their bodies now and into the future. Healthy eating choices are promoted to contribute to longer term health and wellbeing, as well as learning about good hygiene practices.

Honeybears also supports limiting the amount of time children spend in front of a screen. We recognise the importance of supporting families in promoting children’s physical activity, positively and respectfully.