The goal of the program at Terry Tan is to provide a safe and healthy environment that allows the child to develop a positive self-image. The programming at Terry Tan is developed on a weekly basis by trained Early Childhood Educators and approved by supervisory staff to ensure that the developmental needs of every child are met. Written programming plans are posted outside each classroom at the beginning of the week outlining a variety of daily, age-appropriate activites that meet children's social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs.

Sample Planning Sheets
Click to enlarge

The daily program provides a balance of quiet and active play, indoor and outdoor activities, individual and group time, teacher directed and child initiated experiences and transition periods between activities. Staff make use of a variety of resources in different areas of each classroom in order to develop children's various skills. These areas include the dramatic centre, book centre, sensory table, block centre, creative table and easle, cognitive centre (i.e. numbers, colours), toy centres and science/interest tables.

Children go outside for one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon, weather permitting. When outdoor play is unavailable due to inclimate weather, alternate indoor activites are planned and posted.

The implementation of written program plans provides opportunities for children to develop self-esteem, trust, independence and helps to make staff aware of the children as individuals. The progress of children is monitored and bi-annual progress reports are completed and made available to parents.