Our Curriculum
At Whitehills Childcare Association, all of our programs implement an Emergent Curriculum supported by Ontario’s Early Learning Framework.
EMERGENT CURRICULUM
An Emergent Curriculum is based on the interests of the children and therefore, results in deeper and more meaningful learning. It provides the children with the opportunity to take ownership over their learning and encourages their natural curiosities. Our educators take the children’s ideas and interests and support them by adding related play materials, equipment, resources, conversations and activities. Program planning requires our educators to actively participate in the child’s play and learning through careful observation and meaningful and engaging 
interactions. Our educators are flexible and creative in order to meet the needs of the children.
ONTARIO’S EARLY LEARNING FRAMEWORK:
In the Fall of 2008, Affiliated Services for Children and Youth (ASCY) was asked by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services to support 7 Early Learning Programs throughout Ontario in the implementation of Ontario’s Early Learning Framework (OELF) .
Whitehills Childcare Association was proud to become one of the pilot locations.
OELF identifies six core principles of child development, early learning and care :
- The early years set the foundation for lifelong learning, behaviour and health.
- Early learning thrives when respect for diversity, equity and inclusion are practiced.
- Early learning depends on the skills of knowledgeable, responsive and reflective ECE’s.
- Play is a means to early learning.
- A planned curriculum including play, supports early learning.
- Partnerships with families and communities strengthen early learning.
The Continuum of Development is a guide that identifies sequences of development as a foundation to implementing curriculum. It identifies 5 domains (social, emotional, cognitive, language and physical) and root skills that children at different ages can be expected to acquire across each domain of development. Our educators use the Continuum of Development to plan activities for the children which encourage the development of skills across each of these domains.