Programming Policy
PROGRAMMING POLICY
TOPP KIDS Out of School Clubs/ Foundation will use a flexible day-to-day curriculum, which will be created by both the children and our educators using our Weekly Planning Sheet and Daily Flow guidelines. Every week a theme / focus or LIFE SKILL* is chosen and led by the children utilizing our Leadership Program (with help from the educators). We have the children help us create which activities, art, games, STREAM activities or other fun events we have organized during the day. This procedure must be followed every day at its scheduled time and is flexible based on group needs.
- Educators will have access to programming resources and planning time.
- Programming incorporates a variety of planned activities and spontaneous PLAY opportunities.
- Activities involve input from children and are responsive to their interests, backgrounds, preferences, needs and abilities.
- A variety of materials are available to and accessible by children.
- Activities and materials will be prepared and ready to go.
- Activities (when possible) will use the S.T.R.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Reading and wRiting, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) Approach to help children learn concepts and processes.
- Activities (when possible) will use the Loose Parts Play Approach to help spark children’s imaginations, creativity and problem- solving skills.
- Activities (when possible) will use the S.E.L. (Social & Emotional Literacy) Approach to help children learn social competency, self- regulation and emotional intelligence.
- Educators plan off-site excursions and special activities with input from the children and incorporate them on non-school days.
- Daily transitions into the program and out of the program are planned and consistent but, allow for flexibility to meet individual needs.
- Children are included in discussions to ensure toys and equipment reflect the appropriate ages, interests and abilities.
- Children participate in the development of program planning, routines and rules.
- Educators use program planning sheets to evaluate activities, including reflecting on activities.
- Educators will reference resource materials used on the program planning sheet.
- Group rules will be reviewed with children regularly and will be value based.
- Educators will review rules to evaluate that they are age and ability appropriate.
- Educators will include community and global issues in programming.
- Educators will provide Leadership opportunities and skill development opportunities.
- Educators will include student recognition activities.
- Educators will plan Leadership/teamwork opportunities with the children.
- Educators will rotate toys, equipment and materials regularly.
- Recreation activities are planned and posted in plain sight.
- Educators will indicate on planning sheets why certain activities or experiences were planned and who led them.
- Educators will support children in their understanding of safety issues.
- Educators will provide children with the needed equipment to ensure their own personal safety when indoors and outdoors.
- Educators will provide children with the information they need to ensure their own personal safety when indoors and outdoors.
- A balance of competitive and cooperative games and sports are planned focused on skill building.