How important is the bond between an educator and a child?
There are many factors that influence a child’s early development. Their physical well-being, environment, individual temperament and relationships with others are all significant.
To provide the best conditions possible for their little ones, parents naturally engage in loving interactions with their children. They provide a warm, safe and healthy environment for children to become confident, learn and grow. But what happens when children are placed in a child care situation?
Relationships in Child Care
Educational programs delivered by qualified professionals in nurturing, play-based environments can enrich a child’s life. But it is the quality of their relationship with their carer that ultimately matters the most.
Children, like adults, thrive where positive relationships exist. Feelings of trust, a sense of belonging and natural, relaxed interactions with carers will all help your child to thrive during their formative years. Whether your child spends a lot or a little time in care, the quality of their connection during that time is important.
At Keiki Early Learning, relationships are central to our educational philosophy.
What Your Child Learns from Relationships with Others
During their early years, children learn to communicate, to become discerning, to develop personal tastes, and to recognise themselves as separate to the world around them. As they are finding their feet, it is imperative that they experience positive social experiences. Relationships based on trust, acceptance, kindness and fun will support kids to build a healthy sense of identity and self-worth. This will ensure they move forward in life with clarity and confidence.
Children learn the following from positive consistent relationships with carers:
- Trust in the outside world
- The value of experiencing new things
- The ability to adapt and accept change
- Strength and flexibility in their communication skills
- Appreciating difference in others
- Accepting feedback from an adult other than their own parent
- A sense of identity separate to parents and siblings
- A sense of belonging and connection to their community
Our Approach
At Keiki Early Learning, we recognise the importance of building relationships between carers and children. An early childhood educator is often the first adult role model outside of the family. We recognise this is a great privilege as well as an important responsibility and it is a role we take immense pride in. We have put some practices in place to enrich the relationship between carer and child:
- A low staff turnover to ensure consistency of educators
- A specifically assigned carer for younger children
- Active participation from parents
- Open communication between parents and carers
- Continuity between home and care environments, fostered by children bringing news, a toy, photos etc., from home to share with carers and peers.
To find out more or to enquire about our child care and kindergarten programs in WA, contact Keiki Early Learning today.
