Our Philosophy
We believe that children are competent, capable, curious and rich in potential.
We use pedagogical documentation as a means to learn about how children think and learn. Keelmount Day Care believes that providing the option of choice to children through play encourages exploration and inquiry, as well as active play, and is structured to maximize a child’s success. This allows children to meet their needs for acceptance, affection and approval. Children gain a strong sense of self-esteem and social competence through hands-on experience in a safe and supportive environment that respects individual needs, cultures, diversity and preferences.
Our goals are to encourage positive self-concepts in each child as well as to build resilience through co-operation and self-regulation. Each child naturally learns and flourishes when they belong, when they are engaged, when they are free to express themselves and when their wellbeing is addressed.
Positive Learning Environment
Keelmount Day Care provides a positive learning environment in which each child's learning and development is supported with our emergent programs, competent, capable educators and their knowledge of child development. Their caring and reflective practises allow for the environment to support and foster children’s learning. Their collaboration and commitment to lifelong learning creates an engaging environment allowing children to express themselves through interactions with nurturing adults and peers.
Respecting a Child’s Needs
Keelmount Day Care recognizes a child’s need to be respected by providing opportunities to make choices within our planned, age appropriate and individually appropriate activities. The Emergent Curriculum is supported through “Elect Document” and ‘’How Learning Happens.’’ Keelmount Day Care provides active play, quiet play, group activities and individual time, which is facilitated through reading centre, arts and crafts, sports in the gym, free play, science and nature, outdoor play and field trips.
Staff and Family Communication
Keelmount Day Care strives to be harmoniously multicultural and embrace diversity while promoting the health and safety, nutrition and wellbeing of all children. We believe that parents are the primary educators of their children. The role of our program is to assist the parent/guardian in the care and education of each child. We believe in a strong partnership between staff and families and we will continue to foster engagement of an ongoing communication with parents about our program.
Community Partners and Professional Learning
We support positive and responsive interactions among children, parents and staff by modeling appropriate and acceptable behaviour in our communications with each other. We will involve local community partners such as Community Resource Agency as well as Keele Street Public School in the support of the children, their families and the staff.
Keelmount Day Care will undertake continuous professional learning to ensure that they are utilizing best practises, as supported by the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, in their daily interactions with your children.