Philosophy »

Philosophy

The following is paraphrased from the CPCCS Policies and Procedures document, which is available at this link.

The philosophy of Canada Place Child Care Society (CPCCS) is based upon the recognition of the interdependence of the child’s physical, emotional, intellectual, creative and social growth, and the importance of the interrelationship between the family and the Centre.

Children differ widely in learning style, ability, achievement and interests. They learn in their own sequence and in their own time schedule.  Children should have the time and resources to immerse themselves fully in the play that interests them now. As well, our children need to take their rightful place in the emerging global society. The Centre will help children be free from prejudice – whether of race, class, colour, creed, nation, gender, religion, degree of ability, or of material wealth.

Implementation

The Centre will promote a play-based program, based on the principle of unity in diversity, through:

  • maximum group sizes flexible enough to meet individual needs;
  • trained staff and rooms designed for the comfort of the children, parents and staff.

Gender Equality

A non-sexist environment will be encouraged by:

  • parental, particularly fathers, involvement in the Centre (e.g.: field trips, storytelling);
  • hiring male child care worker(s), if possible;
  • use of appropriate material resources;
  • showing women and men in non-traditional roles whenever possible (e.g.: guest speakers, resource materials), and validating all career choices.

Cultural and Religious Equality

A non-racist environment will be encouraged by:

  • hiring the best-qualified persons
  • offering programming that unifies rather than divides, that is, based on finding points of commonality, capacities, talents and concerns, which all human beings share;
  • teaching children to play, and function in general, as unifiers and peacemakers;
  • instilling in the children an appreciation of the rich diversity of humanity and encouraging them to value the good in cultures that differs from their own;
  • in partnership with families, in the required atmosphere of harmony and freedom from prejudice and fanaticism, various religious and ethnic celebrations will be recognized, at the discretion of the director and staff. Emphasis will be on the common- underlying spiritual principles, in order to promote higher levels of unity and cooperation, and to inspire the children to inquire and listen with discernment and respect rather than regard others with contempt or disdain.

Parental Involvement

Maximum parental involvement will be encouraged by:

  • encouraging the parent(s) to enter the Centre frequently and freely;
  • asking each parent to regularly participate in activities at the Centre (e.g.: storytelling, playing a game, going on a field trip);
  • ensuring frequent, willing, friendly and positive verbal interactions between parent(s) and staff; ensuring that parent(s) feel equal to staff in respect to the significance of their knowledge and input for their child
  • ensuring respective, friendly, and low-key interactions between parent(s) and staff;
  • promoting supportive and prompt responses by staff to parents’ questions or needs for discussion, meetings, etc.;
  • ensuring all parties perceive the parent-Centre relationship as a partnership, with two-way communication;
  • providing parent(s) with information regarding the Centre through various media (e.g.newsletter, poster, bulletin board);
  • promoting resources available through the Centre to parent(s), and encouraging their use.

Miscellaneous

Language, communication, critical thinking and problem solving, and development of positive self-esteem will be emphasized.

Adults will assist children to make choices and work with children on the consequences of their choices.

Independence amongst boys and girls will be encouraged equally (responsibility for their belongings, creations, and maintenance of playroom materials). Children should learn to foresee the consequences of their choices/actions and share in responsibilities.

As part of a child’s development, the values of food conservation and the development of table skills and manners are introduced (i.e.. independent serving, tasting of all foods presented, consumption of portions taken, and clearing of personal utensils).

Video and Computers are only to be used as an educational tool and time is allotted to the children on a scheduled basis. Each room is allowed 1 movie a week. The Computers center are opened for a period of time twice a day.