Castle Kidz is committed to developing a curriculum which creates a child-centred, play-based environment which empowers young children to actively pursue their own learning.

This process is facilitated by adults, who provide appropriate, timely, balanced intervention, as well as support, continuity and progression. They will encourage positive attitudes towards and a love of learning.

The service recognises that the establishment of daily routines is essential for all young children in our care.

We strive to provide a programme of activities which encourage the physical, social, emotional, intellectual/cognitive, creative and language development of the children who attend the serviceAll activities will be age-appropriate and will be modified to meet the needs and abilities of the individual child.

The curriculum will encourage children to think for themselves and will encourage a responsible attitude toward each other and our environment.

Staffs have regular meetings to plan and review activities within each area of our facility and to consider the needs of individual children.

All our guide lines are written with respect to Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. And Silota: the national quality framework for early childhood education.

Guidelines – Our Curriculum:

• Is based on clearly defined aims and objectives, is flexible and open to new approaches and ideas, on how to promote and meet the growing need of children
• Recognises that children are learning all the time, and
• Includes a variety of activities that provides for the physical development of the children
• Includes stimulating sensory experiences (touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell) appropriate to the child’s level of development.
• Encourages children to think for themselves, helping them to make their own decisions and find their own answers to questions
• Provides an atmosphere that offers the children suitable challenges and stimulates problem-solving
• Encourages feelings of safety, trust and emotional security in the children in our care
• Helps children to develop self-esteem by giving them the opportunity to be actively involved in their own learning
• Encourages at all times, sociability, friendship and co-operation with others, through the provision of co-operative play and the opportunity for children to mix with siblings, same-age peers, younger and older children
• Aims to match all tasks with each child’s level of ability and attention span
• A range of activities is chosen to reflect various differences in cultures, gender and ability
• We regularly check our books, posters and other materials to ensure that they challenge stereotyping and that they positively and accurately reflect cultural and ethnic diversity
• Staff have regular meetings to plan and review activities to ensure that they reflect the cultures and ethnicity within each area of our facility and to consider the needs of individual children.