Quality infant care is one of the best ways to promote your child’s development. At Nova Pioneer, we have a curriculum that provides a framework of our infant care and tots classroom. The curriculum is founded upon the world-renowned Reggio Emilia approach to early education. At the heart of the Reggio Emilia approach is relationships. What does this look like in practice?
Personalised attention
We believe all babies have unique personalities, even in the first few months. Some are vivacious and babble frequently, while others like to observe quietly before trying new activities. Our teachers and caregivers know how to respond to a baby’s individual interaction style. At Nova Pioneer, we emphasise relationships to ensure each baby receives the positive interactions he or she needs.
We do this in the following ways:
- A low staff-to-child ratio so that there is plenty of time for bonding with a primary caregiver.
- A routine to promote a sense of stability. Feedings, naps, reading and other activities take place at the same time every day.
- Babies have access to a variety of engaging materials. They get to experience lots of fun colours, sizes, shapes, textures and sounds. Diverse books introduce a wide range of new words to baby’s ears.
The role of the environment
Your baby’s physical surroundings play a vital role in their development. At Nova Pioneer, we see the environment as the third teacher in the classroom. We believe that a quality infant classroom should be thoughtfully designed to engage all of their senses in a positive way.
Babies thrive in a soothing sensory environment
Classrooms feature soft colors, appropriate lighting that isn’t too bright and a balance between “noisy” and “quiet” activities. Rooms are kept free of clutter.
Encouraging curiosity and creativity
We provide many different “no-right-answer” activities to encourage curiosity, creativity and imagination. Learning centers offer open-ended toys like blocks, balls and baby-friendly furniture that’s easy for crawlers and early walkers to use.
Safe space for babies to explore
For our youngest infants, tummy time supports physical development while the baby examines a variety of novel objects provided by the teacher. For those ready to crawl or walk, lots of child-directed activities allow our little ones to discover their own interests.
Skills development
Our caregivers and teachers introduce new skills when each baby is ready. These might include holding eating utensils or scribbling on a piece of paper with crayons.
The parent-child-teacher partnership
Reggio-inspired programmes understand that parents play an essential role in every child’s learning process. Thus, we strongly encourage parent involvement and welcome questions, comments and input on the baby’s individual needs.
