January is traditionally a very busy and rewarding time of the year for our educators and their main priority is developing relationships with the children in their care. Many children have transitioned into new rooms, and new children and families are joining the ‘Padbury’ family. Early Childhood Education and Care Research tells us that children thrive when they have secure relationships with the adults who care for them. These relationships allow children to trust their world, and feel safe enough to explore it, which in turn allows them to learn.

Educators understand that spending time with children is critical in developing relationships with them. All rooms have set times during the day where educators are able to spend time with children as individuals or in small groups with the intention of finding out something about each child as an individual (e.g. What does each child like to do, and how do they do it? What makes them laugh? How do they ask for help? What worries them?)

How we respond to children is also important in developing relationships. Understanding each child’s way of communicating (even our youngest babies) is one of the current goals for educators. When we understand what children are telling us, either verbally or non-verbally, we are able to support each child through each ‘moment’ throughout the day. Educators in the Makuru room encourage children to help them throughout the day. This allows time for 1:1 interactions.

You can help educators form relationships with your child by chatting to them at the beginning and end of the day. Our educators are delighted when families share stories about something that the children have been doing at home. We also know that children are always watching, and when they see you forming a relationship with the people that are with them during the day, they are more likely to trust those people. 

Chantal Robson – Educational Leader