Philosophy of RCH Creche
Mission Statement
To provide a Child Care Service that is a positive experience to all families which is designed to promote individual children’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development, inclusive of children with additional needs.
Centre Philosophy
The Royal Children's Hospital has a strong commitment to provide a progressive and consistently high quality child care service where the needs of both the children and the families are met. As dedicated Early Childhood Professionals, we believe that children are unique individuals who learn and develop skills through the process of exploration within an educational, play-based curriculum. With this in mind, our conscientious team of staff maintain a developmentally-appropriate program implemented within an environment that is encouraging, emotionally warm and safe. We strive to promote a mutually beneficial partnership with all families and the wider community, integrating culturally diverse backgrounds, beliefs and attitudes. Our service continues to offer care and activities for children with additional needs.
Broad Goals
For Children to:
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develop social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills
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develop skills at appropriate ages and stages
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participate in learning experiences
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develop knowledge of different cultures, differences between individuals and show acceptance of the differences
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develop self confidence and self- esteem
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increase language skills
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practise principles of hygiene
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become increasingly independent
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have an optimal environment to learn
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have a program that is responsive to their needs and interests
Aims and Objectives
Our aims and objectives are to provide a program and service that is based on the needs of the families and children as well as the staff.
For the Child:
- An environment which meets nutrition, health and safety requirements.
- An environment which supports and strengthens family ties, and which reflects the socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic background of it's users.
- An environment which accounts for the additional needs of children.
- An environment which fosters a deep sense of security, basic trust and acceptance of themselves and others.
- Adults who respect them as individuals, and foster their unique abilities (physical, intellectual, social and emotional), background and ethnic identities.
- An environment which helps them make sense of everyday experiences and feelings and where adults understand development and support their efforts to regulate their own behaviour.
- Adults who respond positively and who encourage autonomy, initiative and independence, responsibility, co-operation and self control, choice, etc....
- Adults who respect, trust and promote positive communication with children.
- A program that is consistent yet flexible to reflect children's interest and encompassing gender equality.
For the Families:
- Offer a safe environment that is accessible to all.
- Supports them in providing an environment which promotes the overall developmental needs of their children.
- Is flexible and response to diverse and changing needs.
- Accommodates differences in age of children.
- Respects and responds to the needs, values and cultural diversity of the parents.
- To have an active exchange of information between parents and staff on a daily basis which will be treated with appropriate discretion.
- To offer support and referrals when needed.
- To have the opportunity to contribute ideas, skills and resources.
For the Staff:
When implementing a program it is also necessary to meet the needs of the staff members:
Our goals as a staff team is to facilitate an open and effective working relationship whereby the staff are supportive and respectful of one another's needs.
Within this broad goal, we have a number of specific Objectives for staff:
- For staff to share ideas and resources with one another.
- For staff to feel comfortable in providing positive and constructive criticism.
- For staff to be approachable and respect confidentiality
- For staff to respect, trust and promote positive communication between one another.
- For staff to have the opportunity for regular learning and training both internally and externally.
- For staff to encourage and nurture the children's awareness, tolerance and acceptance of other cultures.
- For staff to respect varying parental styles, being non-judgemental of individual family beliefs and values.
- For staff to ensure parents are well informed about the program and their child's day.
- For staff to facilitate interactions which provide opportunities for each child's individual development.
- For staff to foster a positive approach in guiding the behaviour of children.