We Value

  • The characteristics of secure attachment are one of the most researched aspects of attachment. It has been studied for well over 50 years by many different professionals researching cultures from many different countries. Overall, the list says children who have a secure attachment will benefit from the following ways:

    -They will feel more happiness and less anger at their parents

    -They can solve problems on their own and ask for help when they are in trouble

    -They have lasting friendships and get along better with their friends

    -They have better sibling relationships

    -They feel better about themselves and what they can contribute

    -They are more protected against feeling hopeless or helpless about life

    -They trust the people they love and know how to be kind

    -They believe that good things will happen

    BE STRONGER< KINDER, WISER.....

    The Circle of Security® Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent or caregiver-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.

    Information taken from Circle of Security International - see website below

    www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/p/parenting-blog/the-benefits-of-secure-attachment

  • At Country Kids Learning Centre we believe that, each individual child is the core of our curriculum. We believe that through play, children create a personal lesson plan that is unique with his/her own pattern of development. We use these practices in our play-based curriculum to best support your child’s learning and development.

    During the day, we provide up to 8 hours of uninterrupted free play time. During this time the teachers will provide a variety of experiences and opportunities to enhance the children’s interests. We guide children’s play into natural teachable moments.

    We also believe that children thrive in an outdoor setting, therefore we will spend as much time outside as safely possible. This can includes having our snack, lunch and nap time outside. We embrace all the different weather types that Manitoba offers and will adjust our environment to ensure the children experience the beauty of nature. Nature allows freedom for the children to think, experience explore, question and search for the answers.

    At CKLC, the majority of activities provided are during free play, this allows the children to join at their own discretion, which in turn will foster the children to develop independence, decision-making skills, and problem-solving strategies.

    The CKLC staff all work closely with the children in their care, they support the children while they navigate everyday skills such as developing social skills, cleaning transitioning, eating, nap and rest. Our goal is to ensure each child has at least one adult that they feel fully connected with. The majority of our staff trained in Circle of Security Parenting Program which is based on 50 years of research of attachment theory. We understand that when a child feels connected to an adult, they feel confident, safe, loved and guided.

    When observing our program, you will see a variety of curriculum areas in our environments such as, literacy, music, art, dramatic play. We also provide space for gross motor such as outdoors or the school gym. You will often see the children exploring the community during walks. You will also see teachers both engaging with the children and simply observing the children all to support our play curriculum.

    During observations, staff will watch, listen, take notes, join in and take photos of children’s play. Staff will also ask open ended questions to stimulate children’s language and reasoning during their play. From that information, the staff will plan activities, both teacher lead and/or discovery self-oriented activities. They will enhance the environment and provide opportunities such as local walks around the community or special guests.

    We also understand that the parents and families are the experts of their children and we take the time to work with our families. We want ensure each child has an opportunity to share their family’s occupations, cultures and traditions with the center through pot lucks, parent volunteers and community events.

    Our staff and parent relationships are strong and each of our families are valued and respected. We always convey information regarding their child’s (ren) day through a variety of communication outlets such as; Instagram, Facebook, Fastoche and face to face meetings.

    We our very proud of our program and strive to stay current in the ongoing development of Early Childhood Education. Our staff, families and the children, make our center the quality program we are.

  • What Is Emergent Learning?

    “Emergent Curriculum is a philosophy of teaching and a way of planning that concentrates on being responsive to children’s interest and ideas and allows meaningful learning and experiences to be created”.

    - Kids and Company, 2018

    Your child’s interest and curiosity about the world around them, together with the aid of an emergent curriculum is one of the critical keys to groom them for their future.

    Have you ever noticed there are times where your child is extremely interested in a particular topic and ask questions or talk about it all day? This is because your child is engaged. An emergent curriculum helps children to be engaged by extending their learning on a particular topic.

    By crafting a project work around your child’s interest, your child will be motivated to learn and experiment. This will lead to your child practising critical thinking and having a deeper understanding of the topic.

    Your child will be exposed to a broad topic about the world

    Your child learns best when they are engaged

    Your child will have a strong foundation in their learning

    Your child will learn faster than you can imagine

    https://pariposapreschool.com/4-reasons-emergent-curriculum-important-childs-development

  • During the day, Infants, toddlers and preschool children will be primarily in their designated areas. There may be intervals of times throughout the day where groups of preschool, toddler or infant children spend time together, following Manitoba Childcare regulations and Best Practices. This is most likely to occur during

    Opening (6:45 am - 8:30 am) in the designated opening preschool or infant room.

    Daily outdoor time in our play yard located beside CKLC Centre, which is safe for all age groups

    Closing (5:00 pm - 6:00 pm) in the designated closing preschool or infant room.

    Other times may include when children come together for activities or events for a short period of time in one of the preschool rooms or infant/toddler room.

    When a infant/toddler is visiting a preschool room, prepping for their transition to the preschool program

    During the times that the children come together in a mixed age group setting, the preferred room will be one that is accommodating to infants/toddlers. Small materials and equipment will be adjusted and placed high during the visit, staff will be familiar with the space and monitor the children closely. If preschool children are visiting the infant program, (for example, at the end of the day) materials will be provided that meet the needs of the preschool children and are safe for the infant/toddler children.

    Make it stand out.Mixed Age Group – Preschool & School Age At certain times in the day;

    early morning approximately between 7:00 am – 9:00 am

    at the end of the day approximately between 3:15 pm – 6:00 pm

    on in-service days or holidays, for periods of time between the hours of 7:00 am – 6:00 pm,

    children may be grouped with children between 2 – 12 years old.

    Children will meet outside to play or from time to time visit each other in our Centre outside or school gym. Developmental Benefits

    These groups as noted above will have the opportunity to play and inter-act with one another at different times during the day. It is our belief that rich exchanges take place when children are permitted to play, socialize and interact with one another, fostering physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.

    This time provides an opportunity for siblings to play with each other as well as develop; friendships, empathy, enhanced learning, nurturing and understanding of differences among the children. All of these occasions will lend to enhanced development for all children as modelling and observation occur.

    The children will follow a similar schedule and routine, with differences allowed for each mixed age group noted above for varying needs such as naps, nutrition, and attention level. Children will be offered/provided with safe activities, materials and toys that are suited for their individual needs.

    The Early Learning Curriculum, as set forth in the Parent Policy, will be used as a guideline for play, inclusion and development for all children. Children will be provided time to play in individual or small group activities. All children are encouraged to play interactively with direct supervision.

  • Ratios will be met as per regulation 8(2)(b) , where children are cared for in mixed age groups, the ratio will be calculated on a pro-rated basis, based on the following;

    Infant: 1:4 Group Size. 8

    Toddler: 1:6 Group Size. 12

    Preschool 1:8 Group Size. 16

    Kinder 1:10 Group Size. 20

    School Age. 1:15 Group Size. 30

  • Children’s safety is a priority and supervision of children will be closely monitored. Safety policies and procedures will be in compliance with Section 5(g) and Section 17 of the licensing manual. Evacuation procedures and emergency procedures will follow the BBE Emergency Evacuation Plan outlined in the Enhanced Safety Manual, which is reviewed and updated annually or on an as-needed basis during the year. Portable first aid kids are accessible and contain emergency contact information for all children. All staff have current first aid training and attend an annual training session each year with the local Health Nurse. Fire, tornado and lock down drills will be practiced when in mixed age group settings several times a year and recorded in our drill log sheet.

    Approved MELCC July 2016