Philosophy

Kentville After-School Program is excited to be using the World-renowned Reggio Emilia Approach to Learning. It was started by Loris Malaguizzi and the parents of the villages around Reggio Emilia after WWII and is based on 3 principles: RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, and COMMUNITY. We feel it is a unique and dynamic approach, which sees the amazing ways that young children can learn and develop their awesome potential when provided with rich experiences and relationships.

It made sense then, as it does now, to focus children’s learning around the things they are interested in and develop a curriculum that expands upon this, rather than having a pre-determined curriculum. Through observation, discussion with the children, and documentation they get to see their interests “come to life” through long and short term projects which will be displayed throughout the space.

This will all take place in a beautiful, enriching environment full of things to discover and explore. We want to provide an inviting, highly motivating learning environment in which educators investigate, research, and learn along side the children. Learning areas include art, language, literacy, math, science, technology, drama and music.

The parents and community play an important part in the centre. Parents are respected as the child’s first teacher and we want to involve them in every aspect of the curriculum. We also welcome people from the community to be involved in Kentville After -School Program in concordance with public health guidelines.