Philosophy and goals

Cybertots philosophy for quality care
(Developed by Cybertots families and staff)

Cybertots Child Care Service aims to meet the needs of children and their families within the community.

Children have the right to grow within a healthy, safe and stimulating environment. This environment should be one that is free from bias, and one that facilitates the development of respect for others and surrounds.

Through respecting others the young people will appreciate diversity within the community and society in general. At Cybertots a supportive caring structure will exist so that children and their families will gain understanding for others' beliefs and values.

Through a team approach children, families, staff and management will design programs that encourage the development of problem solving skills to enhance learning across all areas. The program will provide opportunities for solitary play and group play. By providing children with choices the program will foster a stimulating and fun atmosphere.

Short term goals will be based on individuals, and the experiences provided will be according to their interests and needs. These goals will centre on the various areas of development:

• physical
• social
• emotional and psychological
• social
• language
• creative.

Long term goals have been derived from this philosophy and give a more in-depth view of how Cybertots will work towards maintaining its philosophy.

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Cybertots goals for quality care
(Developed together by Cybertots families and staff)

Health:

• promotion of appropriate hygiene practices both personal and surrounds
• promotion of good nutrition that encourages a lifelong healthy diet
• notification of communicable diseases to inform all families.

Safety:

• regular inspection of the centre grounds, equipment and security will be carried out
• fire drills for fire and bomb threats will be rehearsed regularly at set intervals throughout each year.

Stimulating:

• A child focused program will be developed in conjunction with all parties. This program will incorporate all areas of development as outlined in the centre philosophy.
• The program will create a problem solving atmosphere so staff can facilitate a life long learning approach for the children.
• All aspects of the program will promote creativity through music and movement, art, craft, design, building, problem solving and social interactions with others.
• A fun atmosphere will be fostered based on children’s choices.
• Staff will attend staff development opportunities so that they may keep abreast of regular changes within the child care field.

Environment:

• An inclusive approach will be used throughout all aspects of the centre life. In addition the team will be proactive in the face of bias and promote a variety of beliefs and values. Areas of particular focus will be:
  1. culture
  2. origin
  3. language
  4. physical appearance
  5. gender
  6. lifestyle
  7. social status
  8. faith
  9. family structure
  10. ability
  11. age
  12. health.
• These beliefs and values will focus on the local community as well as society at large. Promotion of respect for diversity and appreciation of the riches it can bring.
• Staff recruitment will be a crucial key in the success of the environment and these points will be addressed in the interviewing of new staff.
• The facilitation of socialisation within the service will also be an intricate part of the environment. A positive yet honest approach will be promoted.
• The physical environment and material possessions will also be acknowledged as deserving respect. However these at no time will be promoted above people.
• The natural environment and the other creatures on this earth will be promoted as part of our being and imperative for survival. The use of recyclable goods will be constant and the growth of gardens, vegetable gardens and trees will be encouraged.

Interactions:

• All communications and interactions will be positive and honest. Honesty is considered to be a basic component of respect. This applies to communications between:
  1. staff - child
  2. staff - families
  3. management - families
  4. management - staff
  5. and conversely.
• Role modelling is considered an influential tool in facilitating learning of young people thus the team will maintain interactions honestly and positively.
• Opportunities for learning and extending problem solving skills will be seized on all occasions.
• Respect of individual space will be considered always and group, large or small, and solitary play will be a choice for the individual.
• Family participation of the service and/or in its program builds a supportive team approach to caring for young people. Cybertots will actively encourage parent participation at all times.
• Communication with the outside community and other communities will also be encouraged so that the approach by children to diversity will grow. Promotion of excursions and incursions as well as technological forms of communication such as the World Wide Web will occur.
• Promotion of a respectful centre community is proactive against socially inappropriate behaviour. The use of continued respectful and empathetic approaches in times of need will be endorsed.
• Consistency of the above behaviour guidance technique will be promoted across the entire service as well as to families.