HighScope
HighScope is an early years curriculum and has been recognised in the USA for many years. It is a child-centered approach that requires an abundance of choice for the child and a curriculum that is child- initated and implemented by a practitioner trained in the method.
Kellie our Manager is a “trainer of trainers” in HighScope method. We were grant aided to develop HighScope in the crèche. Kellie is regularly re- validated by an external evaluator and has run In-house training for staff over the past few years. The HighScope curriculum implementation course is a “top up” to normal Fetac level 5 childcare courses, which is a pre requisite for childcare staff. The HighScope curriculum totally supports the Aistear and Siolta structures.
At Tír na nÓg we are hugely committed to the value of “play with a purpose” and all activities are child led.
The crèche operates the HighScope method Check, www.highscope.org for more information or talk to our manager. The pre-school officer of the HSE and the county childcare committee fully endorse the HighScope method.
The programme for each room is based on the HighScope method. The focus is on child led activities with plenty of choice and an abundance of interest areas in the environment, outdoor play and activities.
- Observations are kept on all children and one to one meetings are available to parents in addition to the daily exchange of news.
- Transition from one group to the next is managed gently, visits to a new room are arranged for the child with their existing carer.
- Children’s moves are based on the child’s needs and developmental age rather than cronolgical age.
- Children’s observation records are available for parents to view at any time and any concerns about any aspect of a child’s development, is brought to the attention of the parents, where every effort is made by staff to help resolve the concern in partnership with parents.