OUR PROGRAMS

At Bumble Bee Schoolhouse, our role is to provide programs that encourage learning and give children every opportunity to develop their full potential. We recognise children develop at different rates and we focus on children individually as well as in groups to develop a program that best suits every child’s particular needs.

The objective of our programs in to ensure that all children continue to progress and learn in all developmental areas throughout their early childhood. These developmental areas include fine motor; gross motor, cognitive, social, emotional, language and independence. Various experiences and activities are planned and implemented in all these developmental areas to provide appealing, creative and fun learning experiences as well as instilling positive dispositions in the children.

Ultimately, we want our children to be ready for what is in store for them when they leave our care.

HOW DO WE PROGRAM

All our programs are done in the same format throughout the centre, they are just slightly modified to suit each particular age group. We provide a vast range of developmentally appropriate learning experiences across all developmental areas. Programming at BumbleBee Schoolhouse is done in the following method:

	OBSERVATION Each child is given an individual code to ensure confidentially, and each child’s individual portfolio begins. Observations are taken on the children and evidence gathered. This will consist of written records, children’s play and interactions, photos, artwork, and various other observation formats.
	INTERPRETATION The observations and other information are then interpreted. Through the room leaders' sound knowledge and understanding of childhood development, and each individual child’s strengths and interests, she/he establishes detailed objectives, short and long term goals. Individual objectives are worked towards through the provision of experiences, which are closely linked with the child’s interests. These objectives and goals are linked to the program, which offers a wide range of individual and group experiences.
	PLAN The fortnightly plan comes together with the collection of individual, small and whole group experiences. All experiences are linked to either individual planning, previous evaluations of programs, child interest or parent input. Our plans cover all areas of development, and are balanced with indoor and outdoor activities quiet and active activities, multicultural activities, cooking experiences etc.
	EVALUATE Each plan is evaluated on a daily basis. This ensures that the developmental goals of each child and the whole group are being monitored. This process also ensures each experience/activity is being monitored to allow for activities to be modified if necessary, extended for future plans or removed if it does not generate any interest from the children. Evaluating the experiences daily also gives our programmers an accurate knowledge of experiences that are enjoyed by the children and that the children are learning a lot from. Individual planning is evaluated on a fortnightly basis with follow up’s and extensions made for future planning.

These programs are developmentally appropriate and we provide them as follows:

	INFANTS (6 weeks – 18 mths) The program will be designed to encourage all infants to experience a variety of activities and experiences that focuses mainly on sensory and physical development, but does encompass all areas of development. All of infants experiences and activities, while bring play based does involve them in being actively involved in the learning process.
	TODDLERS (18 mths – 24 mths) We recognise this stage of a child's growth and development as being one of curiosity, exploration and experimentation. The toddlers will be constantly moving and learning through their five senses. At this age group, our programs will give children every opportunity to explore & discover through meaningful play experiences that are planned around the 7 developmental areas.
	PRE-KINDER (24 mths - 36 mths) This stage of our life we enjoy exploring the environment surrounding us. We enjoy exploring the nature and animals outside. We participate in a lot of sensory play feeling and discussing the different textures. At this stage we also discover shapes, colours and numbers through group time, artwork and creative play.
	KINDER 3 (3 Year Old) At this stage, slightly complex activities are introduced to further develop and build on the child's different developmental areas. By making learning a fun experience, we work towards enhancing children's natural curiosity, exploring interests and building on their individual strengths and interests. Educational activities and constructive playtime both contribute to the ideal balance of a three year olds overall development.
	KINDER 4 (FUNDED KINDERGARTEN, 4 - 5 Year Old) Our program for the four year old encompasses a wide variety of developmental and educational activities. It focuses on building upon each child’s development, and leading them forward to prepare them for school. Complex activities are planned and implemented to further increase and encourage development in all children in all developmental areas. Our school readiness program aims to develop independence skills, to make for a smooth transition into school. Through a combination of early learning experiences, exploration and nurturing care, children develop critical cognitive skills and the social maturity needed for life at school. Through purposeful play at our centre and complex hands-on activities, children's creativity is further nurtured and their various areas of development further enhanced.

Regardless of where your child maybe in our centre, our programs encompass the following:
	CREATIVE ART Creative art is so important in early childhood as it allows children to express their thoughts and feelings through way’s other that words. Children do not always have the vocabulary to express them selves, so encouraging creativity and imagination is important in all stages of childhood. We also include regular visits to Croydon North Primary School Art Room as part of our program, to give the children a broader opportunity to explore and use different creative materials.
	OUTDOOR PLAY Our spacious outdoor environment with its interchangeable modular equipment is a great way for children to have unlimited fun growing and developing in all areas of development. The main focus in our outdoor environment is the large open spaces and the natural surroundings, allowing children to explore, investigate and learn about the world around them. We have trees and plants in our gardens, which include our own vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruits. We believe that children are an integral part of the earth’s sustainability and that learning about the environment and nature at an early age is very important, which is why the vegetable and fruit gardens are fully prepared and maintained by the children. The children begin with planting the fruit and vegetable seeds, they care for and nurture the plants as they watch them grow, then when it is time they harvest the crops to use in our centre's meals. Then, as the seasons change, the cycle begins again. Our programs outside are very similar to the ones inside, all of the activities typically thought as “indoor activities” are often brought outside, so structured developmental programs are constantly run both in and outside.
	EXPLORATION TIME In addition to regular class activities, Exploration Time incorporates science experiments and many hands-on projects to challenge the young minds to discover our world.
	READ WITH ME & FUN MATH Children will begin to develop reading and writing skills through our phonics programs and regular excursions. It starts with the basic alphabet, learning the sound of each letter and progressing to sounding out simple words, as well as having letter, number and word recognition incorporated into everyday programs. We will also introduce math, initially in the music and games but as they get older, we will have programs that introduces number recognition and math’s concepts. As children are developmentally ready we will begin to use math’s to solve simple problems. We will also use computer games that could be complementary to our reading and math programs as well as all aspects of the program.
	MUSIC AND DRAMA Through stories, instruments and our children’s imagination, our experienced music and/or drama programmers will have a rolling good time developing our children’s confidence language and literature, and social skills. Our music and drama programs also help to enhance imagination and listening skills, and introduce concepts of music.