In the first weeks of January 2015, Sue Bailie, our ECD Project Co-ordinator, visited some of our ECD centres and was excited to see the lengths that Principals and Educators are going to in order to create a supportive learning environment for children. Here she shares some of her experiences thus far:
Carebears ECD Centre
“The Principal’s commitment to her centre is evident in so many ways, for example she made a mosaic of the school’s name.
There is a strong sense of community in this school, where the staff members support one another in a meaningful way. When I asked what the nicest thing was that they had experienced in the past two months, almost all of them referred to the triumphs and joys related to their profession.
The welcoming atmosphere created by both the Principal and the staff is tangible. At every site visit she is excited to show something new that has been implemented towards creating an inclusive space where each child is seen and understood.
The Gr R Teacher has taken time to support the children in feeling secure and welcome by arranging them into groups using visual aids around the classroom.
The school is also planning to include the parents in sourcing basins for daily water-play, as they are aware of the children’s enjoyment when they are involved with this learning activity. Currently, they improvise by balancing their hand basin in a wastepaper basket.”
Habibia Junior Madrassa
“It is heart-warming to observe the progress of some of the children with specific leaning needs at this centre. The Principal and staff have paid close attention to where these children are on their ladder of learning and have planned accordingly.
In one instance, they recognised the bond between a child and a teaching assistant to be critical, and ensured that the assistant was available to assist with the child’s transition to a new group. This also allowed the assistant to share her observations from 2014, thereby assisting the child to form trusting relationships in his new space and consequently improving his ability to learn.
The Principal’s and Educators’ commitment to supporting specific individuals is commendable.”
`OBSERVATION IS REVELATION`
Kenwyn Pre-Primary
“It’s wonderful to see how the `Inclusive Champion` at Kenwyn has started the new year by organising observations written by the staff as well as Word Pictures and Individual Support plans into a file.
The teachers are clearly observing with new eyes and considering strategies to support individual children. It is always rewarding when participants implement what they have understood and contextualise it to suit their own settings.
The Principal expressed that working with IESA over the past year has `shifted her paradigm` and given her hope. She now looks at challenging situations with the purpose of identifying possibilities.
We are privileged to have Kenwyn as one of our project centres.”