The Rainbow Fish Room - Ages One to Two

Little Toddler Philosophy

Rainbow Fish room carers believe that all children are unique individuals who deserve quality care in a warm and secure environment. Therefore our program focuses on developing an atmosphere of trust, understanding and social well being.

As children develop at their own pace and learn in their own way, the carers will provide many opportunities for exploration of the environment in a flexible and safe program.

Carers will encourage children’s emerging skills and provide opportunities and challenges to extend their development.

Through observations of the children and close consultation with their families carers will build a knowledge of each child’s strengths, needs, interests and cultural beliefs, which forms the basis for the program.

Rainbow Fish cares have realistic expectations of the Little Toddler age group and recognise the need for patience empathy and firmness and will endeavour to help children gain an understanding of how to express themselves in appropriate ways.

Short Term Goals

To work closely with parents, building a relationship of trust and confidence.
To work and support each child and parent through a stress-free separation.
To develop and environment that is inviting to the little toddler.
To take the opportunity to get to know each child so as to meet their individual needs.
To assist each child in developing confidence to become a member of a group.

Long Term Goals

To provide interactions and experiences which enhance the development of a positive self- concept.
Strategies:
1. One to one Group time
2. Respect each child as an individual
3. Bright displays of families and child
4. Encouragement on their achievements
To allow children to develop an awareness of others in the group.
Strategies:
1. Initiate verbal and non-verbal interactions with adults and peers
2. Help children to articulate their feelings to others
3. Acknowledge their attempts and achievements
4. Demonstrate strategies for coping with frustration
To foster the little toddler’s emerging language.
Strategies:
1. Provide opportunities to experience language through music: rhymes, finger puppets; stories: felt, books
2. Encourage conversation through open ended questions
3. Repeat statements - repetition
4. Pace our statements so they are clear
5. Recognise body language as well as verbal language.
To allow children to practice their emerging physical skills (gross and fine).
Strategies:
1. Encourage children to use new equipment
2. Support children when familiarising themselves with equipment
3. Allow children the freedom and time to explore their environment
4. Stand back and allow independence to emerge
5. Provide opportunities both indoor and outdoor
6. Provide age-stage equipment
To provide an environment that promotes a child’s thinking and explorations.
Strategies:
1. Be aware of a child’s curiosity
2. Introduce new equipment and experience
3. Provide children with sensory experiences (e.g. water, paint, sand, slime)
4. Create a visual display about our world
5. Provide opportunities for sorting puzzles
6. Provide opportunities for free play and exploring
For children to expand their independence.
Strategies:
1. Provide opportunities for self selection
2. Encourage self feeding
3. Allow children to wash own hands
4. Take advantage of routines e.g. undressing, dressing
5. Responsible for own belongings
6. Encourage child to return bowl and cup to carers after meals

General Information

Little Toddler Carers:

Elizabeth Smart
Marlene Cooney

Relief carers are kept the same when ever possible to keep changes at a minimum for the benefit of the children.

CONTACT US

You can contact us on 03 6344 9993 during business hours, or email us at childcare@pedderpatter.org.au.