Decision making about the program...continued Conclusion in ways ‘worthwhile’ The formal program that you make public and display for families and there are diverse opportunities older children will most likely form that cater for all areas of learning the basis of a more detailed and development working or operational program children make choices and that you and your colleagues use contribute to decisions on a day-to- day basis. Displaying a program for there is a balance of child and families and children gives a educator-initiated experiences powerful message to them about interactions and relationships their in the program, it tells ‘place’ between children and educators them that you see them as are warm, inclusive and important partners in the child’s respectful experience. Think about what they children are encouraged and will want to know, and document the helped to interact positively with information so that easy to it’s other children Families want their children to be understand and gives them a picture of what will happen. safe, secure and happy in care. the environment is rich and Supervising children at all times and organised to encourage staying aware of what is happening is How do you plan currently? engagement children’s essential. Learning about children How do you ensure that there is a link between other documentation and the the environment and and what they need and enjoy; being plan? experiences reflect children’s enthusiastic and committed; really interests, as well as their paying attention to going on; Are there some ideas in this section that you can incorporate into your what’s families, cultures and planning process and ways of documenting the plan? and reflecting to make improvements communities will mean that a limited hours service will do much more than keep children all families are welcomed All the parts of a program fit together safe, secure and happy. to contribute to a good limited hours educators communicate with service. What matters most is that families, seeking their ideas there is evidence in the program that: 22 Delivering a program in a limited hours service 23
Decision making about the program...continued Conclusion The formal program that you make public and display for families and older children will most likely form the basis of a more detailed working or operational program that you and your colleagues use on a day-to- day basis. Displaying a program for families and children gives a powerful message to them about their ‘place’ in the program, it tells them that you see them as important partners in the child’s experience. Think about what they will want to know, and document the information so that it’s easy to understand and gives them a picture of what will happen. How do you plan currently? How do you ensure that there is a link between other documentation and the plan? Are there some ideas in this section that you can incorporate into your planning process and ways of documenting the plan? All the parts of a program fit together to contribute to a good limited hours service. What matters most is that there is evidence in the program that: in ‘worthwhile’ ways there are diverse opportunities that cater for all areas of learning and development children make choices and contribute to decisions there is a balance of child and educator-initiated experiences interactions and relationships between children and educators are warm, inclusive and respectful children are encouraged and helped to interact positively with other children the environment is rich and organised to encourage children’s engagement the environment and experiences reflect children’s interests, as well as their families, cultures and communities all families are welcomed educators communicate with families, seeking their ideas Families want their children to be safe, secure and happy in care. Supervising children at all times and staying aware of what is happening is essential. Learning about children and what they need and enjoy; being enthusiastic and committed; really paying attention to what’s going on; and reflecting to make improvements will mean that a limited hours service will do much more than keep children safe, secure and happy. 22 Delivering a program in a limited hours service 23