Our Care
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.
Our Daily Routine
Breakfast Club 8:00AM - 9:20AM
Nutrients are what give us energy, help us grow, and keep our hearts beating and our body systems running efficiently. It is our goal to raise healthy children and foster good eating habits. At Teach Spraoi Nature Kindergarten, we are passionate about food and the importance of good nutrition for children and families. Healthy eating habits need to be developed and harnessed from an early age and food recognition and the promotion of varied tastes is essential for young children.
Then the children HOP, SKIP & JUMP to our local National School which is right next to us.
ECCE Session 9:30AM - 12:30PM
At Teach Spraoi, we use the Siolta and Aistear framework as well as common curriculums you may be familiar with such as Steiner and Montessori for teaching. Preschoolers are encouraged to become autonomous, independent confident individuals. The Teach Spraoi approach allows for flexibility when working with children, enabling children to develop at their own rate whilst scaffolding their learning ‘bringing them on’ at the same time. There is still a huge focus on play in the Preschool Rooms as it is the medium through which all children learn and so we aim to make learning fun.
Wrap Around Care For Kindergarten 12:30PM - 2:00PM
Very young children are just formulating a sense of themselves and an understanding of what the rest of the world is all about. Their interactions with parents and caregivers significantly influence the life-long conclusions children draw from their experiences. If parents’ and caregivers’ interactions are supportive, this shapes children’s perceptions of themselves as capable, trusted, and trustworthy human beings.
After School - 2:00PM & 3:00PM - 6:00PM
The after school children will be collected by an Adult from Teach Spraoi at 2.00PM and 3.00PM respectively. The local school is right beside us and only a hop, skip and jump away. All children are taken to and from school on our school rope. Homework is facilitated, a healthy snack provided. Children then lead with their choice of creative pursuits such as art, music, gardening, sports, baking. We take the children’s lead. Writing stories is a new addition that is immensely enjoyed. And I am sure there will be many other unique and interesting topics added in the future. Children are then collected by 6.00PM.
Teach Spraoi is open for 48 weeks a year, covering care during the summer & Easter holidays. Please feel free to contact us here.
What is Siolta?
Síolta is the national quality framework for Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland. We have achieved a Level Four in the Síolta Quality Assurance programme which is a great achievement that we are very proud of.
For more information please visit www.siolta.ie
What is Aistear?
Following consultation with the early childhood sector, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has produced Aistear, a curriculum framework for children from birth to six years.
For more information please visit www.ncca.ie