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Philosophy

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Safe and stimulating environments are crucial, enhancing a child's full development. Our centre provides a combination of a stimulating and nurturing environment that focuses on opportunities for learning through a variety of hands-on, play-based experiences.

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At Denison, we believe deeply in the value of play. During play, children use their senses to discover and manipulate the things in their environment. They interact with the other children and adults. They imitate and experiment with roles and means of expression. Through the exploration of their environment, children begin to form the concepts on which all future learning will be based.

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The children in the program are encouraged to initiate their own activities as dictated by their personal needs and pace. During these self-chosen activities, children draw ideas from their own interests and imaginations. The children have the opportunity to improve their problem-solving skills, as well as gain a sense of self-responsibility as a result of having a wide variety of choice in their activities. Throughout this process, their self-confidence will increase and flourish. In addition, our Early Childhood Educators are trained in facilitating and expanding upon the individual child's interests when providing materials and activities, creating an environment that is appropriate for his or her developmental needs. These dimensions of the learning environment ensure the growth of each child physically, cognitively, socially, emotionally and creatively.

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In the spirit of co-operation on which the centre is based, families and teachers work together as responsible role models reflecting warmth, consideration, and respectfulness. The continuity between home and child care helps to ensure an atmosphere of acceptance and care. Working together, we can create an environment in which the children not only learn, but also develop a love of learning. It is our aim to provide an atmosphere in which children feel free, safe and comfortable to follow their urges to explore, discover, learn and thrive.

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Behavioural Philosophy​

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At Denison Child Care, we encourage the children to learn to be responsible for their own behaviour. When appropriate, we expect them to solve their own problems, with the assurance that there is an adult present for support if it is needed. There is immediate adult intervention if destructive behaviour is exhibited by any child against self, another child, or equipment.

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We practice positive child guidance strategies. We believe, however, that it is impossible to create a warm and secure atmosphere if the environment is punitive. We place the emphasis on understanding the individual child and the reasons for the inappropriate behaviour. it is therefore, our responsibility to locate the source of that inappropriate behaviour, understand it, and help to change it.

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The most effective means of producing more appropriate behaviour is through  modeling, explanations, redirection, and presenting alternatives. Our focus is to bring the children to a level at which they understand their own individual needs and are able to express emotions and direct themselves appropriately.

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Program Diversity​

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Denison Child Care provides an anti-bias approach in program development that promotes equal respect and acceptance for all. Differences are GOOD; they exist and can be enriching. As children are exposed to diversity in all programming areas it teaches the acceptance of these differences. As a result, children grow to be more tolerant. Our staff is trained to work closely with families to provide cultural consistency in harmony with the home. This promotes an atmosphere that encourages openness to the perspectives of others.

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Inclusion of Children with Special Needs​

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Denison Child Care programs are open to all children. We will continue to train and support all staff consulting the expertise from outside agencies such as Blue Hills, the C.N.I.B. and Early Intervention Services to provide programs based on the needs of the child and the family. It is our intention to work closely with families to provide support based on a family's unique needs and expectations. We are willing to make changes to the program and/or space to accommodate the physical needs of a child with special needs.