StrongStart Philosophy
StrongStart BC early learning programs provide school-based early learning services for families or caregivers and their pre-school aged children, at no cost to families. The programs are intended to fill a niche for young children who are not attending childcare and are in the home with their parent or other caregivers, such as grandparents or nannies. Both children and adults benefit from StrongStart BC early learning programs – children have access to high-quality learning environments and benefit from social interactions while the adults who accompany them learn new ways to support learning, both at the program and at home.
StrongStart Policy Statement
StrongStart BC early learning centres provide school-based, high-quality early learning programs for children not yet eligible for kindergarten, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. These programs are designed to support the success of students when they enter Kindergarten.
The years between birth and school age are a critical time in a child’s life. The experiences that children have in the early years influence their future health, well being, and life-long learning. Investment in children’s early years can positively affect the future lives of British Columbians. Children who are exposed to language rich environments and play-based early learning experiences are more likely to develop the skills, knowledge and dispositions to support their success in school.
The years between birth and school age are a critical time in a child’s life. The experiences that children have in the early years influence their future health, well being, and life-long learning. Investment in children’s early years can positively affect the future lives of British Columbians. Children who are exposed to language rich environments and play-based early learning experiences are more likely to develop the skills, knowledge and dispositions to support their success in school.
Early Childhood Educator and Kindergarten Teacher Belief Statements
Based on collaboration, December 2013
|
What is our image of the child as a learner?
|
Children are unique individuals who learn with their whole bodies, minds and hearts through active participation in a variety of situations.
|
|
What is the role of the educator in the early learning program?
|
Early learning educators develop programs that foster a joy of learning in safe play-based environments. They support, challenge and nurture all children's potential, growth and development by building on strengths and respecting the uniqueness each child brings.
|
|
How do young children learn?
|
Young children learn best through play and exploration with consistency, nurturing relationships and safe environments.
|
|
An early learning program should…
|
…support the whole child, be developmentally appropriate, intentionally planned and structured, and responsive to and accepting of the individual learning needs of all children.
|
Our statements are based on the following documents
|
Primary Program: A Framework for Teaching K-3,
BC Ministry of Education, (2000) www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/early-learning/teach/primary-years |
|
British Columbia Early Learning Framework - Birth to 5 Years,
BC Ministry of Health and Ministry of Child and Family Development, (2008) www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/early-learning/teach/early-learning-framework |
|
Understanding the Early Learning Framework - From Theory to Practice
BC Ministry of Education, (2008) www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/early-learning/teach/early-learning-framework |
|
Making Linkages: How the British Columbia Early Learning Framework Links to the Primary Program: A Framework for Teaching
BC Ministry of Education, (2009) |
|
Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Servicing Children from Birth through Age 8 Position Statement
National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), (2009) www.naeyc.org/resources/position-statements/dap/purpose |