Presentation on developing a centre

philosophy and vision.

What is a Philosophy and why have one?

A child care service
philosophy should be a
written statement of the
values and beliefs that
underpin all aspects of the
services operations. It
should describe how service
stakeholders think about
children, childhood and how
children learn and develop.
(Rowell, 2007, developing a
service philosophy.)

Alone we can do little,

together we can do so much.
Helen Keller

What do we believe?

In order to develop a philosophy we

need to reflect on what we believe
about children, childhood and how
children learn and develop. This
needs to be done while reflecting on
our centres role and purpose in the
wider community . It needs to take
into account the diverse nature of our
cliental and what their dreams and
aspiration are for their children. It
needs to be underpinned by
pedagogical theories and research in
collaboration with all stakeholders.

Who are our stakeholders?

Children.
Families.
Educators
Community

Participatory and shared decision making

1. Set achievable and clear goals.
What is the objective of this exercise?
2. Clarify roles.
Who is responsible for which function within the
group?
3. Build supportive relationships.
Do I know and understand the people with whom I
am working?
4. Encourage active participation.
What do you think about.........?
5. Monitor team effectiveness.
Are the objectives being met?

Set achievable and clear goals.

What is the objective of this exercise?
The purpose of this exercise is to develop a centre
philosophy.
A service philosophy is more than a mission
statement or a set of broad goals as these tend to
express what the service wants to achieve, rather
than what it believes in. (Rowell, 2007)
Discussion questions:
What do we believe about children,
childhood, parents, community and
education? What do we value?
At the end of this exercise we will have
a philosophy which integrates the
underlying values and believes held
by all stakeholder.

Clarify roles
Who is responsible for which function within the group?

Roles that may be useful:

Leader
Scribe
Spokesperson
Goffer
Tracker

Build supportive relationships

Reflective question:
Do I know and understand the people with
whom I am working?

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Gathering the team. Encourage active participation.

How to invite consultation of all stakeholders.

All voices are valued.

Survey to be circulated to all parents.

Questionnaire to all staff.
Invite childrens Voice through classroom activities.
Invitation in newsletter to be part of a team to develop the centre
philosophy.
Develop a sub committee comprising of parents, educators,
outside community member.

Children have a right to be heard and included in the development of the

centres philosophy.
Participation is important for children
because it gives them an opportunity to
have a say about issues that affect
them. Learn new skill, have fun and
develop a closer connection to their
community. As a result programs and
services will better reflect their needs.
Involving children in decision making.
Commissioner for children Tasmania.(

Provide information and an explanation of

what we are doing.
Ask the children to draw what they like at
kinder.
Why?
Lead the child to discuss what they dont like
and why?
Answers are recorded and used to develop a
value and believe.

A Team
approach.

A team approach is when members appreciate and

accept that all voices need to be heard and are
valued. Bronnie Lecture notes.09/08/2016

Stages of Team development. Rodd (2016)

1. Connecting Getting together

as a team
2. Confronting conflict in the
team.
3. Coop
4. erating as a team.
5. Collaborating as an effective
team.
6. Closure.

Monitor team effectiveness

As the director of a Child Care and Education Centre my role
in the development of the centre philosophy is to .......

Notice challenges.
Encourage creativity and
innovation.
Be a resource.
Be helpful and supportive.
Nurture and discuss all ideas.
Foster harmonious and respectful
environment.
Be and encourage active listening.
Keep groups on track.
Encourage divergent thinking.

And ensure the goals being met?

Celebrate Achievements