A child's formative years are perhaps the most important. These years play a significant role in shaping their personality and deciding who they will become in later life.  

That is why it's crucial to give them the best mental and physical development opportunities. Doing that at home can be difficult, especially with the busy routines, jobs, and other things that take up most of your time. 

Daycare centres like Busy Bees have Early Learning programs that introduce your little ones to education at an early age. They have highly qualified educators, a well-developed curriculum, and the right environment conducive to learning. 

However, not all childcare centres have the same curriculum and educational approach. You should find one that provides a comprehensive education appropriate to the child's age, for instance, nursery, toddlers, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten. 

What are some things you should look for in a learning program? How can you be sure their curriculum is engaging and helpful? Read on to find out.

 

Things the curriculum should have 

The provider should design the curriculum to meet the children's requirements, consisting of flexible and responsive routines.  

Since children are naturally curious, the programs should be meaningful and appeal to their curiosity. The provider should strive to instil qualities like creativity, mindfulness, resilience, connectedness, and adaptation.

 The facility should also divide the program into various levels, depending on the age and learning stage of the child.

 

Primary divisions of the learning program 

According to the learning requirements specific to their age, the learning program should have four divisions. As mentioned earlier in the article, the facility should divide them between the nursery level, toddlers, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten.

 

Nursery 

These programs are suitable for children between 0 to 2 years old. During this time, the brain develops at an impressive rate.  

They develop essential skills like smiling, taking baby steps, and waving, which are developmental milestones for the parents. 

During this time, children learn to speak a few words and phrases and increase their vocabulary. Since they begin their learning journey, it's a good idea to put them in childcare under the supervision of highly qualified educators. 

Before admitting your child, you might consider checking the nursery rooms at the facility. They should be well-lit, spacious, and have a welcoming atmosphere. The rooms should have age-appropriate toys, natural materials, and calming, neutral colours.

 

Toddlers 

Toddlers are children aged between 2 to 3 years. New thinking skills, interdependence, and forming simple sentences characterise this period of their lives. Reading, talking, listening, and teamwork are skills they should develop.  

The spirit of enquiry is heightened during this phase, as they become curious about their surroundings. Besides artwork, they might be interested in physical skills like running, jumping, and dancing.  

Educators should focus on helping them express their individuality through routines and daily activities. The educational program should be challenging, insightful, and consultative, appealing to their specific interests.

 

Pre-kindergarten 

The child is fascinated by their surroundings at this stage. They begin making friends, speaking longer sentences, and learning respect and empathy. 

The child also develops their imaginative skills, reflected in their daily games. They are attracted to cooperative group activities, which often involve role-playing.  

The curriculum should focus on helping them build their confidence and individuality while developing relationships with others.

 

Kindergarten 

Once your child reaches four years, they become eligible for kindergarten training, which is crucial for developing social skills, learning to communicate, becoming independent, and inculcating good habits like sharing.  

This period prepares them for formal schooling by helping them adapt to a structured routine and traditional learning environment. Some childcare facilities have School Readiness Programs, which help children develop cognitive and social skills. 

They learn empathy for others through these programs, enjoy group play, follow directions, develop fine motor skills, and form pre-reading skills.   

Childcare centres like Busy Bees have Early Learning programs that enable children to develop mentally and intellectually through games, activities, and role-plays. It fosters a spirit of enquiry and prepares them for the educational journey ahead.