Globegarden introduces its “Early childhood curriculum”
Consistent further development of the quality strategy at the childcare provider
Globegarden, the leading provider of childcare in Switzerland is introducing its new “Early childhood curriculum”: Discover the World©» at its childcare centres. The curriculum allows globegarden to elaborate on the educational requirements set out by, among others, the Swiss Commission for UNESCO for early childhood. It also creates a link to the learning areas contained in Lehrplan 21 at the kindergarten stage.
Zurich, 24 August 2022. The 92-page strong “Early childhood curriculum” is geared to the different age levels and clearly outlines the individual learning areas as well as the didactic and methodological approach. The learning areas are divided into the following topics: “Arts and crafts, music and drama”, “Communication, language and media”, “Maths and problem-solving”, “Social and cultural environment”, “Nature, environment and technology”, and “Body, movement and health”. What each of these areas involves depends on the different age groups: “Youngest children: Infants and toddlers”, “Young children: Twos”, “Pre-kindergarten: Pre-K” through to “Kindergarten: K1 Kids” and “Kindergarten: K2 Kids”.
Developing children's potential
“The curriculum incorporates the latest developments and our experience,” explains Silke Bührmann, Chief Education Officer. “We cater to children’s needs at their specific stage of development. That›s because children achieve the best learning success when they can build on their individual strengths.” The trained staff have a special role to play here. “Our education professionals are dedicated and passionate teachers, arousing and encouraging the children›s curiosity and willingness to learn. It is a great joy to see how children›s personalities unfold and how they develop their individual potential.”
The curriculum provides parents with guidelines on the high-quality educational work at the childcare centres. It gives parents a better idea of what their children›s everyday lives look like and how the skills and competencies taught build on each other and playfully intertwine. This knowledge conveys trust and encourages communication between teachers and parents. The curriculum therefore forms a good foundation for teachers to talk to parents about the goals of early childhood education and what it involves and, if they are interested, to become actively involved in its specific implementation.
Optimal preparation for school
The educational concept is based on holistic education. Consequently, all other educational tools at globegarden are also based on the areas of the curriculum, such as observing and documenting childhood development with the help of education and learning stories in the development portfolios or development discussions with parents.
The curriculum also allows globegarden to elaborate on the requirements set out in guidelines from the Swiss Commission for Unesco and the Netzwerk Kinderbetreuung (Childcare Network) for childcare in early childhood. In addition, the learning areas are designed in such a way to provide a solid base for the learning areas contained in Lehrplan 21 at the kindergarten stage to ensure children are optimally prepared for school.
Staff undergo certificate training
The curriculum not only serves to outline the educational offer in detail to the parents of the children at globegarden. It equally serves as an educational recommendation for professionals. Globegarden has therefore decided to set up the Training Academy for Early Childhood, which will offer training campaigns covering the type of educational work at globegarden›s childcare centres.
A large-scale training campaign is being held this year as part of the Training Academy. It involves each teacher undertaking a two-day certificate course, led by Silke Bührmann, Chief Education Officer. The results from the certificate course will then looked at in more depth in the whole team and at all levels on the two team training days, which are offered annually.
Globegarden will continue to develop the range of courses for early childhood at the Training Academy in the coming years. The provider aims to offer its staff professional further development opportunities at the early childhood stage and at the same time, enhance the profession as well as further increase the quality of childcare work overall in early childhood.
Importance of early education at globegarden
“Early childhood and early childhood education have become increasingly important in recent years. The curriculum shows the importance of early education for childcare centres and gives our staff the didactic and methodological principles to hand,” says Silke Bührmann. Globegarden is therefore also a committed member of the Alliance-Enfance Association for their initiative in the area of early childhood education. The association advocates the right of all children to the best possible development, the promotion of equal opportunities and the improvement of structural conditions in Switzerland.
Press contact:
Media office globegarden
c/o KMES Partner
spillmann@kmespartner.com
076 370 3770
