Our Services

REGGIO EMILIA AND THE EDUCATIONAL APPROACH

The educational approach of Reggio Emilia has inspired the philosophy at Horsley Kids. Reggio Emilia is a city of over 142 000 people in the region of Emilia Romagna, Northern Italy. Loris Malaguzzi was the educational theorist and leader of the Reggio Emilia educational project for over 40 years.

[Reggio Emilia's] innovative curriculum recognised the rights and potentials of children to question, reflect, problem solve, theorise, experiment and express their findings…children should be provided with opportunities and time to freely experiment, explore and play, but should also be encouraged and assisted during this time to master the many tools and skills of communication, enabling them to actively translate what they perceive, not only through the spoken word, but also through other potent languages.

(Millikan 2003).

Links on Reggio Emilia
http://zerosei.comune.re.it/inter/rc_contacts.htm
http://www.brainy-child.com/article/reggioemilia.html
http://www.reggioinspired.com

PROGRAM AND CURRICULUM

At Horsley Kids our curriculum philosophy is implemented through an approach called "Emergent Curriculum."

EMERGENT CURRICULUM

Emergent curriculum describes the kind of curriculum that develops when exploring what is socially relevant, intellectually engaging and personally meaningful to children. An emergent curriculum allows learning activities to arise out of each child's interests, actions or recurring events. In an emergent curriculum, both adults and children have initiative and make decisions. This curriculum is also negotiated between what interest's children and what adults know is necessary for children's education and development.

Other areas included into our programming and curriculum are:

• PROJECT WORK AND SMALL GROUPS
• DOCUMENTING, OBSERVATION AND PHOTO SEQUENCING
• PORTFOLIOS
• COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY
• OUTDOOR PROGRAM

SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM

In preparation for kindergarten/primary school we introduce experiences and activities based on the following concepts and developmental areas. The school readiness program incorporates concrete hands on experiences and activities which aim to encourage skills to assist children prepare for their transition to school:

- Learning Centres

• Atelier- studio for children’s art and creative expression projects
• Assembly- Group time area
• Home Corner- dramatic play and role playing
• Construction Area- building, block and construction activities
• Writing Centre- drawing, printing and story writing
• Book Corner- reading and storytelling
• Computers- math, science, english and creative arts programs

- Preschool Curriculum and experiences

• Language and comprehension
• Positive social interaction, positive and effective communication skills
• Problem solving and turn taking skills
• Basic mathematical and pre reading- writing skills
• Health and physical education awareness
• Cultural awareness and appreciation
• Self-confidence and self-esteem

- Curriculum frame work

• Observations and evaluations, planning and implementing, open ended activities and experiences

"At Horsley Kids, we believe that through ‘play’ activities children will
develop the skills to become self-confident, self-motivated and self-disciplined."

CLASSROOM AT A GLANCE

NIDO ROOM 0-2’S
Ratio 1:4
Maximum number of children: 12

The word "Nido" means "Nest" in Italian and Spanish. For most of the children it is the first time they live experiences beyond their family circle and we believe that they have the right to find an ambiance at school where they find reassurance, love, security, respect and freedom to think, play, and learn.

"By the age of three, the brains of children are two and a half times more active than the brains of adults - and they stay that way throughout the first decade of life."

Shore, R. "Rethinking the Brain",
1997 Families and Work Institute

BAMBINI ROOM 2-3’S
Ratio 1:8
Maximum number of children: 24

The word “Bambini” means young children in Italian.

Two-year-olds and young three-year-olds are developing important independence skills, including personal care such as toileting, feeding and dressing. Communication skills and good language development are encouraged through the use of stories, songs and teacher/child dialogue.

Physical development is stimulated through a challenging environment and complex large and small motor activities. Social development focuses on small group interactions, parallel play, imitation and teacher-assisted interactions.

Cognitive development is introduced by providing opportunities for classifying and ordering (grouping, sorting, and identifying).

AMICI ROOM 3-4’S
Ratio 1:8.3
Maximum number of children: 25

Children at this age are actively integrating all areas of development. They are able to use and master a wide variety of materials. The curriculum provides them with a variety of structured and non-structured activities, encouraging choice and independence. Activities are designed to enhance social, motor, cognitive, emotional and language development. Language development experiences continue on a more sophisticated level during such activities as group time, story writing and depending on each child's interest, reading and writing skills are encouraged.

RAGAZZI ROOM 4-5’S
Ratio 1:8.3
Maximum number of children: 25

The word "Ragazzi” means “Young Boys & Girls” in Italian. During this pre school readiness stage we focus on preparing children for their future, we also attend to their current intellectual and creative needs, making their days at Horsley kids as fulfilling as we hope their future will be.

Social skills are being refined and peer relations become very important. Their play is characterised by their growing involvement with other children and sorting out fantasy from reality. Our mission in the Ragazzi Room is to create a dynamic, engaging, child-centered community influenced by developmentally appropriate learning, risk-free exploration, mutual cooperation, genuine diversity and consistent respect.