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Early Learning » Overview

Overview

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Learning and Growing in the Early Years:
 
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During their formative years, children engage in a wide range of experiences that contribute to their learning and growth. This process is not linear or uniform; rather, it varies greatly from child to child, influenced by their personal interests, prior experiences, and individual pace of development. Recognizing that each child’s journey is distinct helps educators tailor their approaches to support diverse needs and strengths, ensuring that learning opportunities are both relevant and engaging. By appreciating and accommodating these individual differences, we can foster a nurturing environment that supports every child’s unique path to development and learning in the early years. 
 
 
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Our Vision:
You Belong Here!
 
We work collaboratively to build a culture of inclusion and belonging in our schools. Every child has the right to feel safe, included, supported, celebrated, and valued. We build on strengths to foster a strong and positive sense of identity so every child sees themselves as a confident and capable learner. A focus on Social-Emotional Learning supports children in building positive relationships and learning to care for themselves and each other. Children develop emotional literacy skills as they learn to recognize and identify emotions in themselves. With practice, they learn strategies to manage their emotions in healthy ways.
 
Tanina
 
 
 
"Belonging is living and learning judgement-free. It's when a child is able to say, this is who I am."

- Lakált / Tanina Williams, Lil'wat
 
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Celebrating Identity, Language, and Culture:
 
Embedding identity, language, and culture in early learning is crucial because it fosters a sense of belonging and self-esteem in children from a young age. When children see their cultural backgrounds, languages, and identities reflected in their learning environments, they feel valued and respected. This recognition not only boosts their confidence but also supports cognitive development, as children are more engaged and motivated to learn when the content is relevant to their lived experiences. Additionally, incorporating diverse identities and languages promotes inclusivity, helping children develop empathy and understanding for others. By honouring and integrating these elements, early learning environments become rich, dynamic spaces that nurture holistic growth and prepare children for a multicultural world.
 
Anthony
 
 
"You have to know who you are and where you're from to get to where you're going."

- Is'gh'li-ya / Anthony Joseph, Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw
 
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Helping Children Thrive:
 
SnackWe're committed to creating supportive and nurturing environments where children thrive. We thoughtfully create diverse classes of multi-age groupings to foster collaboration and community. These diverse environments mirror the real world, providing children with daily opportunities to build positive relationships and navigate differences at school with educator support.
 
We embrace and celebrate the diversity of abilities and backgrounds that each unique child brings. Each child has the right to meaningful inclusion at school. We personalize learning experiences that cater to individual strengths, interests, and needs while making students feel safe, supported, and connected. Our Feeding Futures program helps nourish children at school to support positive health outcomes and enhance learning.
 
"As human beings, our job is the help people realize
how rare and valuable each one of us really is."

- Fred Rogers 
 
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Early Learning Framework:
 

ELF

 

B.C.’s Early Learning Framework (2019) focuses on children's holistic learning and development from birth to age eight and provides a framework for early childhood educators and K-3 educators. It invites us to look at early learning along a continuum that begins well before the school years. The framework honours Indigenous ways of knowing and being and emphasizes inclusive spaces and practices that support all children. The vision of the Early Learning Framework is "respectfully living and learning together."  There are many parallels between this framework and our Education Plan, Pathways to Learning.


 

The Early Learning Framework Principles guide our work:

 

  • Children are strong, capable in their uniqueness, and full of potential.
  • Families have the most important role in contributing to children's well-being and learning.
  • Educators are researchers and collaborators.
  • Early years spaces are inclusive.
  • People build connection and reconnection to the land, culture, community, and place.
  • Environments are integral to well-being and learning.
  • Play is integral to well-being and learning.
  • Relationships are the context for well-being and learning.
  • Learning is holistic.

 

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