Mission & Vision Statement
Our Mission, Vision and Values that we live by….
Mission
What do we do?
We deliver individualized programming that is catered to each child’s unique learning style and builds upon their stages of social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
Vision
Where are we going?
Foster an environment where our children are performing at the height of their developmental stages preparing them for life ahead.
Values
What we find most important?
Put children first – we address the needs of our children first and above all else
Teamwork – Collaboration between all our educators to deliver a strong learning environment
Knowledgeable – Obtaining the knowledge of “How does Learning Happen” and ELECT stages to deliver the appropriate programming
Trustworthiness – Secure the trust of our families and children as we care for their precious ones
Having Fun – Live in the moment and have fun everyday
Partnership – Supportive partnerships with our families, community partners, and regulatory bodies
Professional conduct – adhere to code of conduct, appropriate communication and conduct when engaging with our partners, peers and children
Our Centre At Ajax
Program Statement
All children are special and each has his/her own personality, strengths and weaknesses and ways of learning. As educators, it is our responsibility to tap into how a particular child learns, and develop strategies to help the child master all basic skills.
At Smart Start Learning Centre, we believe children are competent, capable, curious and rich in potential. Our program therefore will promote the health, safety, nutrition and well-being of all children in our care so that this potential can be reached. We will support positive and responsive interactions among our children, parents, and staff. We will encourage our children to interact and communicate in a positive way and support their ability to self-regulate. We will foster our children’s exploration, play and inquiry by providing child-initiated and adult-supported experiences. Our teachers will plan for and create positive learning environments and experiences in which each child’s learning and development will be supported. Our program will incorporate indoor and outdoor play, as well as active play, rest and quiet time, into the day, and give consideration to the individual needs of each child at our centre. In order to meet these goals, we will foster the engagement of and ongoing communication with parents about the program and their children.
We will involve local community partners and allow those partners to support our children, their families and staff, support staff, and others who interact with our children at our child care centre in relation to continuous professional learning.
How Does Learning Happen?
The Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) provides the licensing standards which we must abide by and names How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years, as a professional resource in regards to learning through relationships for those working with young children and families. It is intended to support pedagogy and curriculum/program development in Early Years programs.
How Does Learning Happen? is organized around four fundamental conditions that are important for children to grow and flourish:
Belonging
Well-Being
Engagement
Expression
These foundations are embedded in our centres through our interactions with children, their families and the staff. These four foundations apply regardless of age, ability, culture, language, geography or setting.
We Believe in…
Diversity
That respect for family, cultural and community diversity is recognized in the development and delivery of service.
Respect
That every individual, inclusive of staff, families and community, involved in our services should be treated with dignity and respect, and have access to available opportunities and services within our community.
Development
That families and relevant others have the opportunity to take an active part in the growth and development of children, and to participate in the development, goals and operation of the services provided by Smart Start. Informed, involved and confident participants are better able to advocate in the best interests of their families.
Quality
That accountability is essential to the successful achievement of our programs and goals. We are accountable to the children and families to whom we provide services, to the community, and to the funding sources, in terms of the services offered and the use of the resources with which we are entrusted. This is the basis of the trust and support necessary to maintain quality services and meet the needs of the children and families involved in our Organization.