THE REGGIO EMILIA STORY

Named after a town in Northern Italy, the “Reggio Emilia” approach invites us, as teachers, to see the possibilities of what can be, if we are willing to let go of our traditional roles

At the heart of this system is the powerful image of the child. Reggio educators do not see children as empty vessels that require filling with facts. Rather they see children as full of potential, competent and capable of building their own theories.

The Fundamental characteristics of the Reggio Approach are:

  • Education based on Interrelationships – A network of communication exists between the children, parents and teachers. These three groups work together to create the spirit of cooperation, collaboration, and co-construction of knowledge.
  • The Reggio Teacher – The Reggio teacher is unique because she/he offers himself/herself to the process of co-construction of knowledge, releasing the traditional roles of a teacher and opening doors to new possibilities
  • The Environment as the Third Teacher — We view the school as a living organism, a place of shared relationships among the children, the teachers, and the parents.
  • Long Term Projects as Vehicles of Learning — Unlike many “predetermined” learning projects, the projects undertaken by Reggio educators often arise from the children’s and teachers’ ideas and interests, thoughts and theories in things worth knowing about.
  • Importance of Documentation — Documenting children’s daily experiences and ongoing projects gives meaning and identity to all that the children do. It is through the documentation that the teachers are able to gain insight into the thoughts of the children, determine further investigation for working on topics, create a history of the work, and generate further interest.

Our Reggio-Inspired Approach

Our Mission: “TO INSPIRE AND NURTURE THE WHOLE CHILD — ONE CHILD, ONE FAMILY AND ONE COMMUNITY AT A TIME.”

Our vision for a Reggio-inspired approach to child care is very much about getting back to Newfoundland’s grass roots, family-centric approach to community.

Newfoundland and Labrador is known for its friendly people. Real and genuine, warm and welcoming, fun-loving and funny to the core, the people here are also known for their natural creativity, unique language, and knack for storytelling.IMG_0732

We see this in the parallel of family values and extended family and community involvement. As explained above, our approach is not about rushing and memorizing, but rather offering children control of their learning; emphasis on learning through experiences; the fostering of relationships between children and with staff; and the recognition that children have endless ways to express themselves.

LPW partners with parents in the care and nurture of our children. Our care is driven by respect for children as people and for the culture of childhood. Each day, we engage with our children, helping them to build knowledge and understanding through supervised encounters with teachers and peers and the exploration of their environment.

A FOCUS ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH

One of the core values of Little People’s Workshop is the emphasis on the health of our children, including physical activity and healthy food choices.

Nutrition

We take great pride in providing fresh, nutritious meals using whole foods and natural ingredients. Our in-house culinary team love preparing meals for all our centres, following Canada’s Food Guide. We serve only water or milk as beverages (no sugary juices or other drinks) and provide fresh baked whole wheat rolls bi-weekly. We are also happy to accommodate special dietary requirements based on allergens, health issues or religious beliefs.

Physical Activity

Our children hardly stop moving! Through projects, walkabouts and games, we provide space and opportunity to engage in plenty of good physical activity. Movement and exercise is a critical element in how children learn, experience, interact and grow.

OUR PEOPLE

Over 492 Years of Combined Experience in Child Care Across 30 Years of Operation

Highly educated and deeply caring, the team at Little People’s Workshop is made up of an amazing group of child care professionals and educators. We put an emphasis on hiring passionate and caring individuals, and specifically those with Early Childhood Education certification, as well as Psychology, Primary Education, Therapeutic recreation and  Child-Youth programs. We emphasize ongoing professional development, and regularly send staff to the birthplace of the Reggio Emilia philosophy – a small town in rural Italy – for training.

CAREERS

If you’re looking for a career with an amazing group of people who are dedicated to the nurturing of the next generation — you’re in the right place! Please submit a resume below, or email us directly at lindsay@littlepeoplesworkshop.ca

Early Childhood Educator

We are looking for energetic and motivated Early Childhood Educators, Level 1 and above, to join the Little People’s Team!

Our commitment to professional development is very important and we invest in orientating our staff with best-practices and education particularly related to our Reggio-inspired approach to child care.

Applicants must provide the following:
• ECE certification;
• Certificate of conduct with a vulnerable sector check;
• Child Protection Check;
• Current First Aid; and
• Copy of immunization record.

Apply now to work in a quality centre that provides a collaborative and supportive environment for both children and employees.

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