Find out what happens in the day-to-day running of an ECD centre.
The thoughts that run through an ECD teacher's mind as you head to work often run like this: ' I hope little Johnny slept well last night with that sniffly cold', and 'I must not forget to tell Nomosonto's parents about the balancing tower she made in the sandpit yesterday'.
Every day in an ECD centre is different. The faces are familiar, the daily schedule and routine are familiar and the environment and surroundings are familiar. But each day is inherently different, and each day matters. It is about what you, as the adult, bring to your children, and their world.
Arrival times are full of hugs and laughs, a quiet chat with a parent about Sibo's sleepless night, and ensuring everyone arrives happy and safe.
At breakfast, you ensure that those children with allergies are catered for and that the children eat this very important meal. It sets them up for their day of fun and discovery!
Everyone is then welcomed as a class group in a typical ring time. You chat about the weather and today's date, the creative activity for the day, and listen to news stories from home.
Creative and focused activities are stimulating and explorative. Often child-led and teacher-facilitated, depending on what the activity is. Fantasy play, block construction building and science experiments abound during a typical day at an ECD centre.
Snack time is an important time, and if you have your own little garden it's ideal, where children can plant, grow, pick, wash and eat their own fresh produce. What an incredible life skill!
There is a good mix of indoor and outdoor play during the day. It's crucial that children have outside time, and a healthy dose of supervised risky play, no matter the weather. Ensure appropriate clothing is worn and ratios are adhered to.
The lunch time meal is often the main, cooked meal of the day, a nutritious and hearty meal, once again ensuring that children with allergies are catered for, and safeguarded. There are two times when quiet generally reigns at an ECD centre, during meal times and at sleep time!
Staff have their own lunch rotas during sleep time, so that they are also suitably refreshed for the afternoon. ECD centres are often open for long hours.
Afternoons can be varied, with the usual healthy snack time, nappy changing rotas and washing of hands taking place. Music, dance, sport, getting messy and having more fun!
Meetings with team members happen at various times during the week, for lesson planning, CPD (Continual Professional Development) training etc.
After an afternoon light meal, possibly a sandwich, there is time to wind down with story time. Your nursery day comes to an end as mums, dads and other (approved) carers arrive to collect their children. After every child has gone home, suitably knackered, you close the centre and go home with a weary, albeit happy smile on your face... as tomorrow it all happens again.
The same, yet different.
ENDS.
