Share And Share Alike

Since the blog about choosing AP daycare was received with such enthusiasm I thought that today's blog could serve as a spin-off. The AP daycare blog certainly raised some eyebrows and mudslinging. I can only ask that perhaps this time all those who comment remain somewhat considerate of each other.

After that short disclaimer I will begin.

There are as many different styles of daycare as their are providers. Even two providers offering the same daycare philosophy will differ in some respect. I always find it interesting to speak with other providers about the attributes that make their daycare special. Being a provider who constantly strives to improve upon my business I often implement the best ideas from different providers into my own program.

Some providers offer a mish-mosh of styles and in essence, fly by the seat of their pants. These providers often have routines in place but not curriculum. They believe that young children learn best when done on their terms in their special time of interest. I fall into this camp. My personal philosophy is that children are innately wired to learn. There are many studies that show children do in fact learn many of the important academic lessons of the world without ever having had the benefit of instruction. Leave a child in the sand box and they will discover physics and architecture. Give a child an old peanut butter jar and a pair of tweezers and they will explore the world of entomology and science while absorbed in play. And a curiosity at the flaming red colour of ripe tomatoes is an opportunity for children to learn how agriculture and photosynthesis are instrumental to our very survival. Children soak up learning at every opportunity. The providers of these children rarely has a designated learning time or expensive curriculum but rather "teaches" all day long.

Other providers choose a curriculum based environment in which to provide care. These providers often have a set schedule of learning each and every day. The children are taught specifics and their progress is measured and the provider and parents are afforded the benefit of having quantifiable results. Many of the children in care environments that are curriculum based know the fundamentals of reading and math before entering the school system.

Emergent curriculum providers fall somewhere between the first two examples and offer a set curriculum based on the interests of the group at any specific time. Often, emergent curriculum are based on seasonal activities as children are very much in tune to the world around them and the changes that are presented as the leaves turn from green to red eventually leaving bare trees and the first few snowflakes. These providers also offer a lot of free time for the children to play and discover the world.

I am certain there are thousands of providers who fit neither category but are a mix of many different philosophies and styles. There are parents who also seek out and find what ever provider they deem to be most closely aligned with their own views and beliefs.

There is not one way to provide care. No philosophy or style is either right or wrong. Every manner in which a provider wishes to stimulate learning is acceptable and correct. As long as a philosophy includes a responsibility to care for and do what is in the best interest of children it can never, ever be wrong.

So, share. What is your approach? What are you most proud of as a daycare provider? How could others benefit from you and your approach?












For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca