The B&A program is focused on the understanding that children are competent, capable, curious and rich in potential. Working together with parents and children, the staff of Lambton Kingsway Before & After Program will deliver a program where the children will excel.

In 2007, the Ontario government published “Early Learning for Every Child Today. (ELECT) to improve the quality and consistency of childcare. In 2014, a resource guide “How Does Learning Happen?” was developed to guide childcare staff in implementing ELECT.

The Before and After Program uses “How Does Learning Happen?’ as a guide to incorporate the ELECT principles into the program.

Below are the goals and approaches of the B&A Program.

Goal:                    Promote the health, safety, nutrition and well- being of the children.

To achieve this goal, the B&A staff will

  • Create an atmosphere of acceptance and belonging by welcoming the children warmly each day.
  • Teach the children respect for self, for other people and others’ points of view, and property through role modelling politeness and manners
  • Provide healthy snacks prepared following Canada’s Food Guide and served in a hygienic manner.
  • Observe children regularly to ensure that their physical and mental health needs are being met.
  • Maintain a safe and clean environment by being alert to potential hazards and instructing the children how to play safely.

Goal:                    Support positive and responsive interactions among the children, parents, child care providers and staff.

To achieve this goal, the B&A staff will

  • Create a sense of community within the B&A children by arranging mixed aged groups, setting up visits between B&A rooms, encouraging sibling visits and introducing the children to each other.
  • Ask open ended questions to engage the children in discussions in their areas of interest.
  • Treat all children equally and with respect.
  • Share information about their child’s day at pick up and drop off times.
  • Welcome the parents by name.
  • Invite parents to observe in their child’s B&A room.

Goal:                    Encourage the children to interact and communicate in a positive way and support their ability to self-regulate.

To achieve this goal, the B&A staff will

  • Protect the children both physically and emotionally by addressing any aggression or bullying behaviour.
  • Listen carefully to the children by letting them speak freely without interruption.
  • Provide clear and consistent guidelines so the children know the expectations and consequences and can develop self-regulation.

Goal:                    Foster the children’s exploration, play and inquiry.

To achieve this goal, the B&A staff will

  • Provide opportunities and materials for active learning where children can choose, explore, manipulate and create in their areas of interest and at their own level of achievement.
  • Submit detailed program plans incorporating the ELECT principles and observations of the children’s interests to ensure that the needs are being met.
  • Involve children in program planning to ensure their interests are supported.
  • Observe the children to ensure that their needs and interests are being met.

Goal:                    Provide child initiated and adult supported experiences.

To achieve this goal, the B&A staff will

  • Encourage problem solving by guiding the children as they work through various challenges.
  • Observe the children to ensure that their needs and interests are being met.
  • Provide children opportunity to lead group time and activities that they planned.
  • Support the children’s developing independence by encouraging them to do things for themselves without fear of failure.

Goal:                    Plan for and create positive learning environments and experiences in which each child’s learning and development will be supported.

To achieve this goal, the B&A staff will

  • Recognize achievements by encouraging the sharing of experiences with peers.
  • Observe the children to ensure that their needs and interests are being met.
  • Plan activities which will provide opportunities for cooperative play and interaction.
  • Arrange for opportunities for imaginative play through drama centres and other role playing resources.
  • Provide opportunities and materials for active learning where children can choose, explore, manipulate and create in their areas of interest and at their own level of achievement.

Goal:                    Incorporate indoor and outdoor play, as well as active play, rest and quiet time, into the day and give consideration to the individual needs of the children receiving child care.

To achieve this goal, the B&A staff will

  • Offer opportunities for physical development through structured and unstructured indoor and outdoor play.
  • Ensure adequate time is allowed for children to play freely and creatively with the resources.

Goal:                    Foster the engagement of and ongoing communication with parents about the program and their children.

To achieve this goal, the B&A staff will

  • Welcome the parents by name.
  • Invite parents to observe in their child’s B&A room.
  • Post the daily program plan.
  • Maintain bulletin boards with information regarding children’s issues.
  • Post the snack menu.
  • Share information about their child’s day at pick up and drop off times.
  • Communicate via email, telephone and in person.
  • Conduct surveys seeking feedback regarding the program.
  • Initiate a meeting with staff if there are concerns about their child.
  • Engage outside organizations in assisting children in distress.

Goal:                    Involve local community partners and allow those partners to support the children, their families and staff.

To achieve this goal, the B&A staff will

  • Develop positive relationships with the school staff to facilitate a seamless day for the children.

Goal:                    Support staff, home child care providers or others who interact with the children at a childcare centre or home childcare premises in relation to continuous professional learning.

To achieve this goal, the B&A staff will

  • Meet regularly with other staff to discuss events in the program as well as any concerns with specific children.
  • Staff will work co-operatively and engage in positive respectful and supportive interactions with co-workers.
  • Participate in an employee engagement survey.
  • Financially assist staff in relevant professional development courses.
  • Provide training sessions throughout the year for staff.

Goal:              Document and review the impact of strategies set out in clause (a) to (j) on the children and families.

To achieve this goal, the B&A staff will

  • Record two monthly observations of each child.
  • Record observations of the behaviour of children so that all staff are aware of challenges with a child.
  • Planning activities following the Elect curriculum.
  • Photo documentation of children`s play.

Continuous professional learning

The majority of the B&A staff have diplomas or degrees in early childhood education, are registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE) and follow the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.  This gives them the designation RECE (Registered Early Childhood Educator).

Continuous Professional Learning is a requirement of membership in the CECE. The B&A program supports staff in their professional development by bringing workshops to the centre and contributing financially to workshops, courses or resources.

Staff who are not RECE’s also follow the B&A Program Statement. They are supported by their co-workers and are required to participate in continuous learning.

The Program statement will be reviewed annually.