2025
La Boîte à soleil requires all employees to review its program statement upon hiring and annually thereafter. The implementation policy ensures how staff, students, and volunteers will apply the expectations outlined in the program statement, the practices that are prohibited, and the measures in case of policy violations or the use of prohibited practices.
La Boîte à soleil adheres to the principles of the Minister of Education, which designates How Does Learning Happen? as the guiding document for programming and pedagogy in childcare services. The term “Educator” refers to all staff, students, and volunteers (both female and male) working at La Boîte à soleil who interact with children and families.
All staff at La Boîte à soleil, students, and volunteers must read, understand, and follow this program statement before beginning their role and review it annually and whenever changes are made. This statement is also reviewed annually.
We expect early childhood educators to establish goals for children that align with the Ministry of Education’s pedagogy, which describes children as competent, capable, curious, and rich in potential.
- Children develop a sense of belonging when they are connected to others and contribute to the world around them.
- Children develop a sense of identity, health, and well-being.
- Children are active learners whose engagement allows them to explore the world with their bodies, minds, and senses.
- Children are capable communicators who express themselves in many ways.
OUR PROGRAM AIMS TO:
THE APPROACHES YOU CAN SEE IN OUR PROGRAMS:
Supporting the health, safety, nutrition and wellbeing of the children (a)
- We provide healthy and safe environments. Educators are vigilant and ensure that policies and procedures are followed at all times.
- We plan fun and stimulating physical activities both indoors and outdoors.
- Children are warmly welcomed into spaces that promote social interactions in a calm, positive, clean, safe, and inclusive environment. Children have personal items in the playroom and photos of their families.
- Children are loved and respected as individuals and as young human beings. Staff members demonstrate patience and love daily.
- Educators act as role models for children by being patient and practicing safe and healthy work habits.
- Healthy eating habits are taught through the menus and snacks provided. This is emphasized in routines and programming. Children have the opportunity to explore food using their five senses and are encouraged to try new foods.
Support positive and responsive interactions among the children, parents, and staff and to support their ability to selfregulate (b and c)
- We believe that each child is unique, bringing their own qualities, abilities, and interests to the program.
- Educators are role models, demonstrating active listening and respect for each child and adult.
- Educators are attentive to children’s emotions and behaviors. Because they build connections and get to know each child, they understand that each child needs unique support.
- Staff support children’s self-regulation by being emotionally present. They assist during challenging moments, helping children navigate strong emotions and encouraging appropriate expression.
- Play area boundaries are clear and well-defined. Children receive the support they need to make good choices. If redirection is necessary, it is done in a positive manner.
- Educators work together and share observations to support children’s self-regulation.
- Staff collaborate with parents and families, maintaining open and respectful communication.
- When needed or requested, staff provide positive support to parents.
Foster the children’s exploration, play and inquiry that are initiated by the children and supported by the educators both indoors and outdoors (d, e and g)
- Children learn through play. Staff act as co-learners and participate in play. They engage with children at their level, asking open-ended and meaningful questions to encourage thinking. They adapt their approach based on each child’s individual needs.
- All activities, whether physical or otherwise, require planning, observation, and reflection on children’s developmental needs and interests.
- We provide learning provocations and invitations to encourage exploration and stimulate play using multi-purpose materials that offer various possibilities.
- Children have access to activities that highlight open-ended materials, fostering creativity and imagination based on their own interests.
- We encourage collaboration among children by promoting group play, idea-sharing, and discovery-sharing.
- Staff members are flexible and incorporate quiet time when they notice children need it.
- Programming includes fun and stimulating physical activities both indoors and outdoors.
Plan for positive learning environments and experiences for each child’s learning and development (f)
- We provide inclusive activities and provocations that consider children’s individual interests and needs. Children have access to diverse tools and materials to express themselves in different ways.
- Educators recognize different learning styles and adjust their approach accordingly. Activities and methods are adapted to accommodate specific needs.
- Development is unique to each child. We consider developmental factors and family/environmental influences.
- Educators’ interests and passions are also integrated into activity planning to share their enthusiasm with children and create engaging learning experiences.
- Communication and interactions with children are positive and encouraging.
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion are embedded in programming, environmental planning, and activities.
Promote participation and ongoing dialogue with parents and the community (h and i)
- Parents are seen as co-learners and are invited to participate in our programs.
- Staff communicate with parents daily, taking the time to greet them and ask about their child’s habits and preferences.
- We organize family activities, allowing parents and children to explore the environment their child daily experience.
- We build connections between children, their center, their school, their neighborhood, and their community by participating in educational outings.
- We collaborate with community visitors invited into our programs to enrich children’s learning experiences.
Support staff in their continuous professional learning (j)
- Early childhood educators engage in continuous reflection, reviewing and adjusting their practices as needed.
- We encourage reading, research, workplace training, and participation in meetings or workshops.
- We foster a culture of learning by providing in-person and virtual training sessions.
- We invest in professional development by organizing workshops funded by La Boîte à soleil.
- We support RECEs (Registered Early Childhood Educators) in their Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) portfolios by offering information sessions.
- Staff utilize tools and practices from Quality Child Care Niagara (QCCN).
Review the impact of the
strategies on the children
and their families (a-k) (k)
- We continuously reflect on ways to improve the services we provide to children, parents, and the community, adjusting policies and procedures as needed.
- We regularly survey staff and families to assess the quality of our program and practices. We use feedback from surveys to make necessary improvements.
* Les lettres en italiques sont référencées dans la loi sur les garderies