Reggio Emilia Childcare Centres | The Reggio Emilia Approach
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Reggio Emilia Childcare Centres | The Reggio Emilia ApproachCALL

How the Reggio Emilia Approach was formed

The Reggio Emilia Approach, born in post-World War II Italy, revolutionized education by putting children at the forefront. Developed by Loris Malaguzzi, this approach sees learning as a joint effort between children, families, and educators.

It’s all about collaboration—children and families actively help shape the curriculum. This approach creates a dynamic learning environment, encouraging curiosity and exploration. Both children and educators engage in open discussions and brainstorming sessions.

Imagine a classroom using the Reggio Emilia Approach where a group of young learners is exploring the concept of plants. Instead of the traditional teacher-led approach, here, the children, their families, and educators work together to shape the learning journey.

The children express curiosity about how plants grow and what they need to thrive. The educators, in collaboration with families, decide to transform the learning space into a mini botanical laboratory. The room is filled with soil, seeds, watering cans, and magnifying glasses, sparking excitement and anticipation.

In this collaborative environment, the children actively participate in planting seeds, observing changes, and discussing their findings. They engage in open discussions with teachers and even share their experiences with their families at home. The curriculum is not a fixed set of lessons; it evolves as the children’s questions and interests unfold.

The Reggio Emilia Approach encourages documentation of this learning journey. Children might draw pictures of the plants at different stages, write about their observations, or even create a group project showcasing their collective understanding. This hands-on, collaborative exploration of the plant life cycle not only builds knowledge but also nurtures essential skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.

In this way, the Reggio Emilia Approach exemplifies a dynamic and interactive learning experience where children actively contribute to shaping the curriculum, fostering a love for learning and a deep sense of engagement.

Reggio Emilia Childcare Centres | The Reggio Emilia Approach

100 Different Languages

The concept of “100 different languages” refers to the multitude of ways children express themselves beyond verbal communication. Loris Malaguzzi believed that children possess a diverse range of languages, around 100, through which they can convey their thoughts, emotions, and understanding of the world.

These languages encompass various forms of expression, including but not limited to:

Visual Arts: Children might express themselves through drawing, painting, sculpting, or other visual mediums. For example, a child could create a vibrant painting to convey their feelings about a recent experience or explore a concept they are learning about.

Dramatic Play: Acting out scenarios, using props, and engaging in role-playing activities allow children to express themselves through dramatic play. For instance, they might reenact a story they heard or create their own imaginative narratives.

Movement and Dance: Physical expression through movement and dance is another language. Children might use their bodies to communicate feelings or ideas, showcasing their creativity through dance routines or spontaneous movements.

Writing and Storytelling: Beyond verbal language, children may express themselves through writing or storytelling. They might create their own stories, write letters, or keep journals as a means of communication.

Music: Creating and playing music provides an avenue for self-expression. Children might use musical instruments, sing songs, or compose their own tunes to convey their emotions or ideas.

Building and Construction: Through building with blocks, Legos, or other construction materials, children communicate spatial and design concepts. They might construct a model that represents their understanding of a particular subject.

Nature Exploration: Interacting with the natural environment becomes a language of exploration. Children might collect leaves, rocks, or create nature-inspired art to express their connection to the outdoors.

By acknowledging and encouraging these various languages, educators provide children with diverse avenues to express themselves and engage with their learning environment. This approach fosters a rich, holistic learning experience that values and celebrates the uniqueness of each child’s expression.

Reggio Emilia Childcare Centres | The Reggio Emilia Approach

Family Connection

In our commitment to enhancing the educational journey, we understand that the harmonious relationship between a child and their family extends beyond mere support—it is the cornerstone of a thriving learning environment. By actively involving all family members, we not only strengthen the bond between home and our centres but also create a seamless bridge that amplifies the overall educational experience.

At our centres, we believe in fostering a holistic sense of community, where open communication and collaboration are valued. Through shared efforts, we aim to inspire a passion for learning that transcends the classroom, making our centres not just educational spaces but true extensions of the familial warmth and support that children deserve.

In essence, our approach goes beyond conventional education; it is a journey of shared growth, where families and our centres come together to create an environment where every child feels valued, motivated, and truly at home.

Reggio Emilia Childcare Centres | The Reggio Emilia Approach

The ‘Third Educator’

Observe your surroundings with a keen eye, and you’ll discover that every element has a lesson to offer. In our educational philosophy, we regard the surroundings where children spend their time as the ‘third educator.’

Within our Early Learning Centres, we create an environment that is not only lively and dynamic but also thoughtfully designed to stimulate your child’s mind. We foster an atmosphere where imagination becomes a powerful tool for learning, creativity, and social interaction. Each day is a canvas painted with lessons derived from a vibrant palette of colours, the play of lights, intricate designs, and a blend of natural and man-made resources.

Our commitment goes beyond traditional teaching methods; we believe that a well-crafted environment contributes significantly to a child’s holistic development. By immersing children in an engaging and enriching space, we aim to transform our centres into places where learning becomes an exciting journey, filled with discovery and exploration.

Reggio Emilia Childcare Centres | The Reggio Emilia Approach

Educators That Care

We meticulously select individuals driven by passion and commitment, dedicated to nurturing the brilliant minds of the future. Collaboratively, we partner with parents to establish tailored goals for each child. Through this symbiotic relationship, both the child and our educators embark on a journey of exploration and research, fostering a dynamic environment that encourages collaborative learning and the development of meaningful relationships.

Our team of educators doesn’t merely instruct; they guide and inspire, recognizing the unique potential within each child. Together, we lay the foundation for a transformative educational experience that goes beyond traditional methods, emphasizing active engagement, curiosity, and the joy of learning. This collaborative approach ensures that your child not only meets but exceeds their developmental milestones while cultivating a lifelong love for learning.

A Typical Day

Children generally feel more secure and learn better when there is a predictable routine to the day. Each room of our child care centre following a routine – however it may vary throughout the year due to unforeseen weather, special events or the children’s engagement in a project.

Each room follows the general child care routine:

  • Arrival – Individual choice and programmed experiences
  • Bathroom / nappy change routine
  • Morning tea/ breakfast – cereal & fruit
  • Small group time
  • Outdoor play
  • Indoor programmed experiences and project work
  • Bathroom / nappy change routine
  • Group time – Story, songs, project discussions
  • Lunch time
  • Rest time
  • Bathroom / nappy change routine
  • Quiet experiences
  • Afternoon tea
  • Group time – music
  • Outdoor play
  • Bathroom / nappy change routine
  • Indoor Experiences – individual choice and programmed
  • Departure

What We Provide

Babies/Toddlers

We provide all nappies and wipes within our child care centre, however you will need to provide their own bottles and formula.

Meals and Drinks

All food in our child care centre is provided and is prepared daily by a qualified chef. Our gourmet menu is designed to provide a variety of different foods throughout the week and meets all food groups and daily requirements of the children while in child care.

Our Gourmet menu caters for children with allergies and specific cultural beliefs. All meats are certified Halal and no pork products are served. Vegetarian options are also available.

We offer a nut and egg free program in our child care centre and we do not allow food to be brought in from home.

Reggio Emilia Childcare Centres | The Reggio Emilia Approach

Daily Communication with Parents

At Reggio Emilia Early Learning Childcare Centre, we’ll make sure you understand your child’s progress every step of the way. Here’s how we do it.

  • Reggio Connect

    Once every month, educators will write highlights of your child’s learning and interests throughout the week on the app. This will be tagged as Reggio Connect. We would encourage you to read this and add comments as this will better help their learning development.

  • Reggio Daily Reflections

    A daily journal that outlines their activities will be emailed to you or uploaded onto our app. This will outline your child’s interests, projects and educational programs, and will include photos of your child participating in a wide range of learning experiences.

  • Reggio Review

    Our weekly newsletter will keep you up-to-date with what’s happening within the Centre. It includes information around children’s health and safety, policy reviews and all upcoming events. During the first three weeks of care, you will receive daily calls about your child’s care and transition.

  • Reggio Review Newsletter

    This will be emailed to you weekly to keep you up to date with what’s happening in the child care centre, parenting tips, upcoming events and opportunities for parent participation at all our other centres

  • Communication Book

    Educators complete a weekly communication book for each child outlining the week’s highlights and projects they have experienced in our child care centre. Feel free to write a comment back so educators can include your input into your child’s individual program and the overall child care centre experience.

Reggio Emilia Childcare Centres | The Reggio Emilia Approach
Reggio Emilia Childcare Centres | The Reggio Emilia Approach