Open Ended?

Super exciting news came to us last week. The ministry of education supplied funding to Hastings County so that licensed home child care agencies can update equipment/toys to fit our emergent play based curriculum. This funding comes in the amount of $500 per licensed home. How incredible and vital to controlling parent daily fees! 

Qualifying items are toys/equipment that are considered "open ended". This is a common term in the early years sector. We want to encourage Childrens creativity, support their independence and provide the opportunity to choose.  Open ended toys allow us to do all of the above. 

What sort of toys are open ended? Simply any toy/object that does not have a predetermined use or a "supposed to be use this way" objective. Examples include: blocks or all shapes and sizes, art supplies, play silks or large pieces of fabric, sand and water tables, natural items found in the Childrens environment and so much more.  

On Tuesday August 7th I will be supplying our home child care providers with a Christmas list of sorts. It will be a list of qualifying toys and their costs. They will then get to make their wish list and these new items will be purchased. The children will be thrilled with the new toys. While they think they are having fun, we know they will be learning and growing thanks to this generous funding. 

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Have a wonderful, play filled day, 
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Kristina Schwartz 

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