Here at Higgy’s House we believe much of children’s early learning and development takes place through play and hands-on real experiences. We implement our Emergent curriculum using a play-based, holistic approach to learning, which is inclusive to all children and families, promotes each child’s independence, curiosity, language development and social skills.
An Emergent curriculum is a philosophy of teaching and learning that focuses on planning a curriculum in response to the interests, ideas and thoughts of the children themselves.
Higgys Emergent Curriculum is informed by Aistear, Siolta and Montessori. Aistear is Ireland’s Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. It was developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and describes children’s learning in four themes:
- Wellbeing
- Identity and Belonging
- Communicating
- Exploring and Thinking
Our emergent curriculum is developed in partnerships with the child, parents and highly trained and experienced staff who support the children to reach their full potential.
In our ECCE rooms we provide an enquiry-based learning environment that works in tandem with both our Emergent curriculum and the Montessori Curriculum and ethos. Open ended play and Montessori materials are available which create a stimulating and challenging environment to suit each child’s interests, needs and abilities.
We regularly document each child’s learning in each room. These observations and notes about activities and fun learning times are shared on the Famly App with parents.
We strongly believe in the positive effects of outdoor learning, and we bring our Emergent Curriculum to life outside with daily opportunities to play and learn outdoors. Bad weather doesn’t stop us, with the proper clothing the children enjoy outdoor time all year around. Our outdoor garden room is full stocked for those rainy days! After all as Alfred Wainwright said “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”.
