Every space in your service or school and everything in those spaces is a depiction of your educational philosophy.
In a service where the educators know, live and breath the philosophy, it will be obvious to visitors and families just by looking at the spaces, what your philosophical values and beliefs are. If your philosophy views children as capable, your spaces will have resources for children to make choices, help adults and use tools and implements for themselves. If you believe children learn through play then your environment will be set out for open ended play and your routine may show a more flexible structure for allow for those times when the play flow needs a bit more time.
What does your outdoor environment say about you? Do you have plants to show you believe children should be connected to nature and should care for and nurture nature. Do you offer lots of textures in the space because you believe children are sensory learners. Perhaps your philosophy doesn’t mention the outdoors or nature but you want children to develop their gross motor skills and your outdoor environment is open for running and has a metal climbing frame for upper body strength.
What ever your space looks like, as soon as people look through your fence or see your yard, they will be getting a message about your philosophy and beliefs.
Do you care for and respect childhood? Do you care for and respect nature? Do you value beauty in a space? Do children deserve beauty? Are children capable of real challenges? Do you see children as artists? This is all visible through the fence.
A short blog today, but hopefully it will inspire some thoughtful reflections.