FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017 THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
Play is the best way to learn
Searching for the right childcare centre? Look past the colourful interiors and start talking about play.
One of the best ways to build a child’s language skills, creativity and imagination is to send them out to play.
Children who play with building blocks, dolls, sandpits and saucepans are working hard to build their problem-solving and
Free play is the most important activity young children can do at daycare.
are small, we can sit as a team and plan experiences based on the children within our centre. Being a small centre allows us to really understand the children and the families and to develop those partnerships and relationships.’’
Chantel’s staff take the ideas of families and free-play observations of children and use them to craft brain-boosting experiences that will hold the children’s attention.
‘‘Our staff spend a lot of time creating experiences that are stimulating and meaningful and build on the children’s current knowledge and skills,’’ Magdy says.
‘‘If they are in the sandpit baking cakes, we know that baking is something their parent has been doing. We’re able to expand on that experience by doing some real cooking and by adding in numbers, measurement and literacy.
‘‘Every day we have a child come in and tell us a story that we are able to turn into a fun and educational learning experience.’’
Drop off and pick up times at Chantel’s offer a chance for the staff to get to know
planning skills.
A simple fun game, such as filling up plastic cups from a bucket of water, can teach children to experiment with volume and liquids. Painting develops fine motor skills and building a cubby house fires the imagination.
Chantel’s Kindergarten in Sydney’s Sylvania is a small childcare centre with a strong emphasis on play. Owner and director Jasmine Magdy is a trained early childhood educator.
She says free play (play that is
unstructured and happens naturally through curiosity and interest) is the most important activity young children can do at daycare.
It allows children to use their imagination and learn at their own pace.
‘‘The best type of play is free play, going by what the child wants to do, allowing them to take control of the curriculum,’’ Magdy says.
‘‘We’re always asking them what they would like to do. It’s a powerful experience to bring what they do at home into the centre. It also allows the child to feel like they belong
and that what they are doing is validated and important.’’
Chantel’s Kindergarten opened in 2007 and still has most of the original staff.
Families who come to Chantel’s have a chance to develop a relationship with the educators and to help them plan activities that will inspire children.
Magdy says Chantel’s can be flexible with learning, because they are small and not bound by corporate red tape.
‘‘We can offer one-on-learning,’’ Magdy says. ‘‘We plan on a daily basis. Because we
families and to learn about what has been happening in the children’s lives.
The centre also documents the children’s learning on a daily basis and shares its insights with families.
Chantel’s also encourages parents to share their stories from the weekend to help educators build on what the children have experienced.
Visits to family farms, birthday parties and holidays can all become elements teachers discuss with children to help them better understand the world around them.
Transforming young lives in a
Child Care Centre!
Chantel’s Kindergarten SYLVANIA prides itself on providing care and education that exceeds your every expectation. Every care and attention is provided to ensure we provide a stimulating and exciting learning environment for every child in our care. It is our priority to provide children with opportunities to develop their learning within a safe, loving and happy atmosphere. We believe that the centre environment should embrace children’s culture and home experiences. Therefore, we have designed a unique and engaging curriculum tailored to meet each child’s needs and development. It promotes a learning framework that supports every child and takes into account each child’s current knowledge, interests, cultures and ideas. Please feel free to visit our early learning centre and meet our wonderful and highly qualified educators.
77 Venetia Street, Sylvania, NSW | Ph: 02 9522 7031 | admin@chantelskindergarten.com.au
www.chantelskindergarten.com.au
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