SD10 Early Learning

Early Years Plan

Early childhood launches the journey of lifelong learning.  Current research refers to the first 8 years of life as formative years when children are particularly receptive to environmental and biological factors.  These factors create the neural connections and pathways that affect their physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and creative capacities over their lifetimes.  Rich early learning experiences in homes, schools, and communities set the very foundation of children’s health and well-being, sense of community and social life, secure sense of self, healthy spirit of adventure, respectful relationships and character as a learner.  Ensuring success in the early years is a research proven way to pave the way to success throughout an individual’s life .

Vision

A district wherein children learn in the spirit of wonder and joy, and are celebrated for their uniqueness and potential.

Mission

To provide rich early learning experiences and environments, which stimulate children’s thinking, creativity and engagement, contributing to their development as citizens of the world. We do this through supporting the professional growth of our educators and connecting with the greater school community.

Guiding Principles

• Families are the first and most powerful influence on their child’s learning, development, health and well-being.
• Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships and a sense of place).
• Children are curious, competent, capable of complex thinking, and recognized as citizens who contribute to society.
• Play is integral to well-being and learning.
• Providing opportunities and supports for all children to have access to, and contribute to, a rich learning experience with their peers.
• Inclusive and engaging environments and experiences foster playful inquiry, children’s well-being, holistic learning, and development.

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Creating Rich Early Learning Experiences that extend throughout a students’ learning journey

Goal 1

Continue to support meaningful and innovative educational practices from 0 – 8 years and beyond.

Objective 1
Expand and support professional learning opportunities and nurture pedagogical leadership around playful inquiry in the early years.

Action

• Create and support opportunities for innovation around Early Learning practice
• Ensure continuity of learning and alignment of pedagogy across the early years.
• Create and expand communities of practice through opportunities such as Reggio Study Tour, Opal Study Tour, documentation network, Changing Results 4 Young Children, Pedagogy of Play BC Network, POPEY (Provincial Outreach Program Early Years) Workshops, Story Workshop, and Story Studios.
• Provide multi-modal entry points for professional learning, such as online courses and webcast series.

Objective 2
Provide open-ended and culturally responsive materials and experiences to create environments for experimentation and transformation.

Action

• Develop a list of recommended open-ended and culturally responsive materials and resources for Kindergarten to grade 3.
• Create pop-up experiences for educators to engage in playful exploration of materials.

Objective 3
Support the implementation of the BC Early Learning Framework through professional learning and collaborative inquiry.

Action

• Engage in critically reflective dialogue through learning teams that include Early Childhood Educators (CR4YC, inquiries/projects).
• Develop an Early Years Professional Learning Series.
• Teacher/District team to introduce the BC EL Framework to staff.
  

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Nurturing Our Relationship with Families as Partners

Goal 2

Engage with Families in their Child’s Learning and Well-being

Objective 1
Continue to support the transition from early care to school.

Action

• Expand “Welcome to Our School” Kindergarten initiative.
• Support meaningful and innovative gradual entry practices.
• Expand on our relationship with GAP Interagency Committee and community partners to include the early years

Objective 2
Communicate student’s learning through authentic practices that reflect a holistic cross-curricular perspective.

Action

• Make learning visible through practices, such as pedagogical narration and documentation. 
• Continue to develop ways to communicate student learning in the early years with families in an authentic and meaningful way