Curriculum and Education

The teachers of Teach Spraoi focus on the child’s strengths, what they can do, not what they can’t do.

A core principle of the Teach Spraoi approach is that children learn by doing and this hands-on experience can be seen throughout our school starting from 2.6 years of age all the way through to school.

Children are involved in every part of their day and are encouraged to do what they can for themselves keeping in mind what is age and stage appropriate.

The Early Years Educators at Teach Spraoi follow the emergent curriculum. This means that activities are planned based on the interests of the children and are flexible to allow a range of experiences.

The children state their intentions, execute their plans and recollect on their experiences on a daily basis throughout the day at Teach Spraoi promoting independence, achievement, concentration and self-confidence.

Teach Spraoi has a flexible fun-based partnership approach rather than an overly directive mindset of the educators.
All materials and interest areas are planned with the child in mind. They are age and stage appropriate and accessible to the children.

Here at Teach Spraoi, we aim to foster strong relationships with your child’s
home environment for the benefit of all.

Children are encouraged and supported to make choices.

We have developed our own School Readiness programme Using the Mo Scéal’
program.

Play underpins our entire approach to curriculum. Play is vital in the Early Years.

Children are part of the Problem Solving process in Teach Spraoi and are encouraged and can contribute to solutions in matters that concern them.

Teach Spraoi has weaved the best parts of many different educational approaches from the national Síolta and Aistear ethos to common curriculums that you may be familiar with such as Steiner and Montessori. Two other curricula which add a rich dimension to our service are:

The Reggio Emilia originated in Italy. This approach to early year’s education puts children in the driver’s seat and sees them as curious individuals with the power and potential to develop and learn from their environment and the relationships they build with others. The image of the child as a subject of rights is central to philosophy. Instead of viewing children as having needs that must be fulfilled, they are viewed as strong and intelligent individuals who should be given every opportunity to reach their potential.

Children are viewed as having unlimited potential and being eager to interact with and contribute to the world. This means learning is driven by the child who takes an active role in co-constructing their own knowledge and gives the child control over the direction of the curriculum. This encourages self-expression, communication, teamwork, thinking and problem-solving in the child.

Te Whāriki from New Zealand first introduced in 1996  Te Whariki is underpinned by a vision for children who are competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.

All of these wonderful curriculums are immersed through the lens of the natural
world here at Teach Spraoi. Magic abounds when we truly focus on what is right in front of us.

For a more in-depth explanation of our approach or to see it in action, please contact us and we would be more than happy to chat with you.