My Planet Early Learning
My Planet Pedagogy
Every educator has their own teaching strategies and methods that they draw from experience, from research, from drawing in different theoretical perspectives, professional training and development and so on. At My Planet we believe there is not just one prescribed way of curriculum decision making, teaching and learning.
The EYLF and our Curriculum encourages us to reflect on our own pedagogy in scaffolding and supporting children’s learning, thus allowing us to provide a holistic nature of professional practice. We draw on our creativity, intuition and imagination to help improvise and adjust our practices to suit the time, place and context of each learning opportunity for a child or group of children.
As children are learning and exploring we are observing, role modelling, supporting, intervening, redirecting, encouraging, guiding, extending, and collaborating with the children to help them achieve their developmental and educational goals. With all this we gain insight and knowledge about the child’s ability, level of development, and interest which helps in our planning.
Educators use our My Planet Ongoing Cycle of Education when observing, reflecting, planning and programming. Our Educational Leader supports, guides and leads educators in these Pedagogical Practices, whilst inspiring and fostering growth amongst Educators.
Learning Environments
Our Learning Environments follow a routine comprising of Early Morning, Morning, Early Afternoon and Late Afternoon Activities. Times are approximate and may vary depending on child interests and needs. Learning Environments may also combine at different parts of the day, depending on activities and child needs.​
We have meals through the day which include: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Late Snack. All prepared by a qualified Cook. We welcome families in contributing recipes and ideas as well as partaking in cooking activities with the children.
Educational Experiences are conducted through Group Times (big or split groups), Structured Table Top Activities, Floor Based Activities, Indoor/Outdoor Independent Play (interest based), Developmental Play, all as part of our centre’s Curriculum.
Nappy Change/Toileting are conducted as required through the day. Approximately every 1 or 2 hours depending on the Learning Environment. Adequate rest time or quiet activities are provided typically after lunch time.
In the Baby Environment, we follow the child’s needs and routine in terms of sleep and meal times. As children get closer to 2 years old they will be able to follow the centre's routine, whilst we also cater for their individual needs.
At Planet we have Learning Environments which are based on age group's but are not limited to them. We have a Baby, Toddler and 2 Preschool Environments, spanning across 2 floors, each with their own rooms and outdoor play areas.
Baby
Bumblebees
0-2
Toddler
Tigers
2-3
Preschool
Pandas
3-6
Preschool
Penguins
4-6
Programs
At My Planet we have Programs that run in our rooms that surround particular topics and themes, always related back to specific Curriculum Area's. Some Programs have a particular path to follow, but most are there for Educators to reflect on their own pedagogy in scaffolding and support children’s learning. So depending on the children's interest and skills it will direct which course our journey will take us. Journeys can also begin from child interest, family or community input.
​
Everything we do is reinforced and extended on throughout the year, and then continued on when a child has transitioned to a new room. All our programs are tailor based on our My Planet Outcomes making them developmentally and age appropriate, whilst also adding those challenging elements. Programs can be structured and planned or non-structed and spontaneous, conducted at any part of your child's day within our daily routine. Below are some examples of programs that we explore at My Planet.
Social Skills & Personal Learning
​​Some activities include:
-
Greeting others - through role play, transition to activities games, the use of home languages, etc.
-
Taking Turns - Talking and Listening, Special helpers, Sharing stories, Yes/No/Later, etc.
-
Asking for Help - Identifying, Asking and then Helping.
-
Identifying Feelings and Emotions
-
Managing Frustrations
-
Co-operation - Praising one another, problem solving together, etc.
-
And so on...
Mind and Body
​Some activities include:
-
Fundamental Movement Skills (Munch and Move) – rolling, crawling, running, jumping, side step, leaping etc.
-
Hygiene practices such as catch your cough and washing hands.
-
Dental Health - followed with a dental incursion at our centre where a dentist will conduct activities and then perform oral health checks for all the children.
-
​And so on
Academic - Literacy & Numeracy
This program focuses heavily on Languages, Literacy and Communication as well as Mathematics and Numeracy Curriculum Area’s. Educators use play-based learning to motivate and help children show a passion and enthusiasm for learning.
​
Activities we provide differs between age groups where our My Planet Outcomes help define the objectives that we would like to achieve with each activity we plan.
How To
​Some mini programs include:
-
How to use the Water Station?
-
How to Pack Away?
-
How to Play Safely?
-
Recyle, Rubbish or Reuse?
-
And so on.
Big School Program
School Readiness starts when a child joins the centre.
In Term 3 and 4 our Penguins will go on excursions once a week with local schools in the area, including public and private schools. These excursions are beneficial for your child starting school as they experience the different aspects of school life such as classroom participation, using bubblers, using lunchboxes, using the bathroom, and playing in the playground.
​
At times, the new Big School environment may be different and a little intimidating to children. These excursions help as their first experience in Big School will be accompanied with the support and comfort of having familiar educators and peers with them that are there to help and guide them.
​
At the centre we reinforce the Big School Program by exploring topics around safety at big school, what to expect at school, making new friends, healthy food, school uniform dressups and so on.
Incursions
Incursions are activities that we plan with an external person or organisation who come into the centre to run an educational activities for the children. These activities are always related to a theme/topic that the children are currently learning. They can be a centre wide event or room based. Some incursions that we have had in the past include:
-
Healthy Harold
-
Ditto – Keeping Safe
-
Biggest Morning Tea – Cancer Council
-
Librarian visits from Guildford Library
-
Fire Brigade and Police Officer - Safety
-
Poppy the Possum – Cumberland Council
-
Dental Checks and Steps Vision
-
Recycling Waste Program – Cumberland Council
-
Dancing and Taekwondo Programs
-
Chicks and Duckling Programs
-
Reptile Show
-
And many more…
Community Walk-About
Running typically throughout the year for our Preschoolers.
We visit our local community and the only transport needed is our feet. Depending on what the children currently learning we could be:
-
Taking part in events at their local schools
-
Crossing the street, holding hands and following road safety rules and procedures.
-
Going to the local fruit, bread and deli shops to purchase the weekly healthy eating items for the centre.
-
Visiting the dentist, doctor, fire house, post office, bank etc to learn about their occupations.
-
Visit the local park, library or nursing home - for a treasure hunt, story time or singing to our elders.
Our Community Walkabout program is beneficial for your child’s understanding of road safety and stranger danger. It provides an opportunity for your child to meet local community members and gives them a sense of belonging in their community, improving self-esteem and confidence.
Around the World
Being part of a remarkably diverse community, we are able to start our programs such as Around the World by getting to know our families. Children explore cultures from around the world including languages, food, activities, games, attire, music and so on. Incursions and Family participation play a major part of our multicultural programs.
Sustainability
Educators develop programs that involve sustainable efforts by the children around the concept of the 6 R's.
Rethink/Refuse, Reflect, Reuse/recycle, Reduce, Respect, and Repair/Restore.
Some focus areas can include nature play indoors and outdoors, planting, our role in the community and the world. We see where your child’s interest is and it leads us on our journey’s.