Belonging refers to a sense of connectedness to others, an individual’s experiences of being valued, of forming relationships with others and making contributions as part of a group, a community, and the natural world.
Eight
Beautiful Classrooms
Four
Licensed Playgrounds
Full Day Programs
Learning For Every Child Today
The Nanabijou Childcare Centre Board has embraced and adopted the Ministry of Education’s Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT) framework.
Included in the framework are the principles and beliefs that guide practice in early years settings and guide the practice at our Centre.
The ELECT Principles Include:
Positive experiences in early childhood set the foundation for lifelong learning, behaviour, health & well-being.
Partnerships with families & communities are essential.
Respect for diversity, equity & inclusion is vital.
An intentional, planned program supports learning.
Play and inquiry are learning approaches that capitalize on children’s natural curiosity & exuberance.
Knowledgeable, responsive & reflective educators are essential.
High-Quality Early Childhood Programs
We believe that these programs can:
- Establish positive, responsive relationships with children and their families
- Value children as individuals and as active and competent contributors with their own interests and points of view
- Recognize the connection between well-being and social and cognitive development and the importance of focusing on these areas holistically
- Provide environments and experiences for children to explore ideas, investigate their theories and interact with others in play
- Engage with families and support each child within the context of their family, recognizing that family and child well-being are inextricably linked
- Provide ongoing opportunities for educators to engage in critical reflection and discussion with others about pedagogy and practice to support continuous professional learning and growth.
Four Foundational
Conditions
The Ministry of Education identifies four foundational conditions that are important for children to grow and flourish: Belonging, Well-Being, Engagement and Expression.
They are four conditions children naturally seek for themselves.
Belonging
Well-Being
Well-Being addresses the importance of physical and mental health and wellness. It incorporates capacities such as selfcare, sense of self, and self regulation skills.
Engagement
Engagement suggests a state of being involved and focused. When children are able to explore the world around them with their natural curiosity and exuberance, they are fully engaged. Through this type of play and inquiry, they develop skills such as problem solving, creative thinking, and innovating, which are essential for learning and success in school and beyond.
Expressions
Expression or communication (to be heard, as well as to listen) may take many different forms. Through their bodies, words, and use of materials, children develop capacities for increasingly complex communication. Opportunities to explore materials supports creativity, problem solving, and mathematical behaviours. Language-rich environments support growing communication skills, which are foundational for literacy.