ASCS Inc. will continue to practice the guidelines through our licensed programs and Early Years Program according to How Does Learning Happen?  Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years.  A resource about learning through relationships for those who work with young children and their families.

How Does Learning Happen? Is a professional learning resource for educators and administrators in early years settings.  The four foundations of HDLH are intended to guide program development and implementation.  HDLH pedagogy encourages:

A view of children as competent and capable of complex thinking, curious and rich in potential.  The government set out this understanding of children for all early years programs and services in the 2013 Early Years Framework.

Goals for children, expectations for programs and questions for reflection. These areas are organized around four interconnected foundations of belonging, well-being, engagement and expression.

Pedagogical approaches that provide the how for working toward the goals for children.  Grounded in research, theory and practice, these approaches include:

– Responsive relationships
– Learning through exploration, play and inquiry
– Educators as co-learners
– Environment as third teacher
– Pedagogical documentation
– Reflective practice and collaborative inquiry

Children enrolled in our programs are offered every opportunity to build on their competencies, capabilities and are provided activities to foster their creativity.  Each program design encourages curiosity for children to maximize their potential.Observations and goal setting are the foundations in which the educators plan and create rich environments and experiences for children’s learning and development of the whole child.

• • Every child has a sense of belonging when he or she is connected to others and is able to contribute to their world.  We encourage and celebrate diverse social, cultural, and linguistic perspectives.  We ensure that each child feels that he or she belongs, is a valuable contributor to the program and that each child is given many opportunities to succeed.  Our programs cultivate authentic, caring relationships and connections to create a sense of belonging among and between children, adults and the community around them.

• • Our programs are designed to nurture every child’s well-being, healthy development and support their growing sense of self.

• • We believe that every child is an active and engaged learner who is able to explore the world with body, mind and senses.  Our programs provide environments and experiences that engage children in active, creative and meaningful exploration, play and inquiry.

• • We believe that every child is a capable communicator who is able to express him or herself in many ways.  Our educators recognize children as competent and capable individuals.  We offer programs and activities that value and build on their strengths and abilities.

• • Educators at ASCS Inc. have a shared understanding of the foundations for learning and development, and the importance of positive relationships and experiences with children, families and the community.

Educators participate as co-learners with families and children, learning with children, about children and from children.  Through observations, documentation, listening and discussions with colleagues, other professionals and families, they understand that all children are unique individuals.  Educators use this knowledge and their professional judgement to create contexts to support children’s learning development, health and well-being.

The following pedagogical approaches will nurture learning and development, and will provide child initiated adult supported experiences in all of our programs:

• establishing positive, responsive adult-child relationships;
• providing inclusive learning environments and experiences that encourage exploration, play, and inquiry;
• engaging as co-learners with children, families/caregivers, and others;
• planning and creating environments as a “third teacher”;
• using pedagogical documentation as a means to value, discuss, and make learning visible;
• participating in ongoing reflective practice and collaboration.

All Star Children Services Inc. supports, encourages and provides professional development to ensure all educators have a solid understanding of child development.  This is essential for educators to apply the pedagogical approaches that are outlined in the HDLH document.  We support the idea that educators are lifelong learners by providing opportunities for professional development.

ASCS Inc. is staffed with caring and responsive adults who focus on the child’s active learning.  Children, their families and the community are valued as active participants and contributors.  

Our programs are designed to:

• cultivate authentic, caring relationships and connections to create a sense of belonging among and between children, adults, and the world around them;
• nurture children’s healthy development and support their growing sense of self;
• provide environments and experiences to engage children in active, creative, and meaningful exploration, play and inquiry;
• foster communication and expression in all forms.

Play is the means through which children capitalize on their natural curiosity and exuberance.  Our programs provide indoor and outdoor, active play, rest & quiet time, always taking into consideration the individual needs of the children.

All Star Children Services Inc. is committed to providing quality programs which establish positive, responsive relationships with children and their families;

• value children as individuals and as active and competent contributors with their own interests and points of view;
• recognize the connection between emotional well-being and social and cognitive development and the importance of focusing on these areas holistically;
• provide environments and experiences for children to explore ideas, investigate their theories, and interact with others in play;
• engage with families and support each child within the context of his or her family, recognizing that family and child well-being are inextricably linked;
• provide ongoing opportunities for educators to engage in critical reflection and discussion with others about pedagogy and practice to support continuous professional learning and growth.

All Star Children Services Inc. will:

a – Promote the health, safety, nutrition and well-being of the children by providing a nutritious meal and snacks following Canada’s Food Guide;
b – Support positive and responsive interactions among the children, parents, childcare providers and staff by welcoming and greeting parents;
c – Encourage the children to interact and communicate in a positive way and support their ability to self-regulate by allowing children safe things (example: blankets, stuffed toys…);
d – Foster the children’s exploration, play and inquiry by having a flexible daily schedule;
e – Provide child initiated and adult supported experiences by creating learning  environments through observations and discussions with children;
f – Plan for and create positive learning environments and experiences in which each child’s learning and development will be supported by having a quiet area in the room for relaxation;g – Incorporate indoor and outdoor play, as well as active play, rest, quiet time, into the day and give consideration to the individual needs of the children receiving child care by encouraging participation in all areas, quiet, rest, indoor, outdoor, meal time etc…;
h – Foster the engagement of and ongoing communication with parents about the program and their children by inviting parents into the program;
i – Involve local community partners and allow those partners to support the children, their families and staff by allowing students in our centres;
j – Support staff who interact with the children at a child care centre in relation to continuous professional learning by participating in staff meetings;
k – Document review the impact of the strategies set out in clauses a – j on the children and their families by documenting, measuring and reviewing policies and procedures on a regular basis.

All Star Children Services Inc. will ensure that all staff, students and volunteers review the program statement prior to interacting with children, when the statement is modified as well as annually.

A.S.C.S. Inc. manages seven licensed childcare centres and one Best Start Hub.  To view each program’s individual goals and approaches, please refer to the Program Statement Goals and Approaches document posted in each group of every center.

For continuous professional practice, the program statement is considered a live document and will reflect changes as goals and approaches are achieved.

This Program Statement has been reviewed and approved by: All Star Children Services Inc. Board of Directors