About First Steps
At First Steps, our philosophy is as emergent as our curriculum; our approach to teaching is tailored to each child’s learning and development. Our Educators will provide child-initiated and adult supported experiences, within a positive learning environment. Experiences are supported and fostering children’s exploration, play and inquiry are key components to the quality of our program.
We strive to encourage the children to reach their full potential while in our care by becoming competent, capable, curious individuals, full of potential. We endeavor to create an environment that is welcoming, warm and safe, which will allow each individual child’s unique abilities and interests to flourish. The home-like atmosphere and loving staff at our center encourage the children to freely express their ideas and to learn at their own pace through carefully constructed hands on active learning opportunities. We encourage the children to interact and communicate in a positive way, while supporting their ability to self-regulate.
At First Steps, our educators incorporate creative opportunities and nature based experiences into the child’s indoor and outdoor play which will utilize the readily available gifts that Mother Nature has offered us. We provide opportunities in gross motor activities, rest and relaxing time throughout the day giving consideration to individual needs of the children in our care. It is our professional, well-educated and supported staff that document, share and role model their knowledge that facilitates the children’s learning.
We make continuous efforts to be involved in our community, whether it’s visits to the library where along the way, we meet many new faces or sharing a smile with neighbors and passersby whilst outside. We strive to build relationships with our community to continuously reintroduce new relationships and experiences that the children will carry with them as they grow.
At First Steps, we strive not only to be a child centered programs, but to be family centered as well. We aim to create strong partnerships with parents and caregivers, and encourage them to share their culture, language and experiences with us. We believe that families are an integral part of our team and the superb relationships we build with them are reflected in the richness of the programming at both First Steps sites!
First Steps has been providing high quality care in the Guelph area since 2000. Our program was developed to provide a safe, nurturing environment within which, children will learn to have regard and appreciation for one another; building an attitude of caring and sharing. Our center is fully licensed by the Ministry of Education and abides by all the standards outlined in the CCEYA, (Child Care and Early Years Act). First Steps is also inspected and abides by all regulations set by Fire and Public Health Departments and is supported and guided by the County of Wellington Child Care Services.
The staff at First Steps consists of highly trained, registered Early Childhood Educators and experienced classroom assistants. These skilled professionals strive to encourage learning through play, guiding the development of skills and self-awareness.
