Today, the kindergarten head Natalia Alexandrovna Dmitrienko will tell about the kindergarten at Oxbridge International School.
Natalia Alexandrovna, tell us how many years have you been working as a kindergarten teacher? What is changing in the realities of modernity in the upbringing of children?
I have been working in kindergarten for over 35 years. Every year there are noticeable changes in the upbringing of children. 30 years ago, the level of technical development was incomparable with the current one. Technology has been part of a person’s life since birth, which can affect their development. In addition, the number of families where both parents work outside the home is increasing, which underlines the importance of high-quality child care, creating a safe and developing environment.
Natalia Alexandrovna, tell us how child care is provided in kindergarten, including issues of hygiene, safety and control of children during the day.
At Oxbridge International School kindergarten, child care is carried out on the basis of an integrated approach, in which priority is given to the well-being, safety and development of each child. Usually, child care, hygiene and safety issues of each child are carried out as follows.
Our garden maintains high standards of cleanliness to ensure a healthy environment for children. This includes comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of rooms, toys and equipment carried out daily. In addition, we strive to create an environment where children try new things and learn to be more independent. Children are introduced to the basic rules of hygiene, and self-service skills are instilled.
We adhere to strict safety regulations to prevent accidents and injuries. There are two checkpoints on the territory of the kindergarten, where two qualified guards are stationed throughout the day to ensure safe attendance of children at the kindergarten. Play centers, both indoors and outdoors, fully comply with safety requirements, creating the opportunity for outdoor games on the territory of the kindergarten. Children are constantly under the close supervision of teachers to reduce risks and ensure their safety.
Oxbridge International School employs qualified and experienced teachers who undergo continuous training in the field of child development and upbringing. Caregivers continuously maintain visual and auditory contact with children throughout the day, actively interacting with them during classes, games, walks and meals. A structured schedule helps to ensure the well-being of children, as well as creates a safe psychological environment where anxiety levels are reduced, since every child knows what to expect during the day.
There are a lot of methods of teaching and developing preschool children now, tell us how it happens in Oxbridge kindergarten, as parents want to learn about the teaching methods and program, developmental classes, games and activities that are held in kindergarten.
At Oxbridge International School Kindergarten, the program and approach to the education and development of preschool children are carefully designed to provide a holistic and enriching educational process, not only in the field of education, but also in the development of horizons. In our work, we use methods that take into account the peculiarities of development, and adapted to the needs and abilities of young children. This includes recognizing that children learn best through hands-on experience, learning in a playful way, and being in an environment.
We offer specialized educational programs that include various educational concepts and approaches. Pedagogical technologies are used in working with children, such as the Maria Montessori method, the Reggio Emilia method, the Singapore teaching method, elements of the TRIZ theory, research and design technologies, health-saving methods, game learning and others. These curricula emphasize child-led learning, individual learning, and the integration of art, music, and physical activity into the educational process. We also use a variety of educational activities that focus on various aspects of the child’s growth and learning. They include:
- Language learning and literacy: classes aimed at developing speech, reading and writing skills.
- Elementary mathematical concepts: practical exercises that introduce concepts, quantity and counting, magnitude, geometric shapes, orientation in space and time, sorting and patterns.
- The study of science and nature: experiments-experiments, observations and outdoor activities that promote the development of curiosity.
- Creativity: opportunities for self-expression through visual activities, music, dance, and acting.
- Social and emotional development: group activities, story-role-playing games, conversations, familiarization with fiction that promote the development of empathy, cooperation and self-regulation.
- Physical development: physical education, swimming, football, gymnastics, hand-to-hand combat and chess.
We use a wide range of games and activities that affect the interests of children and promote learning in a fun and interactive way. They include:
- Sensory games: Activities that stimulate the senses through touch, sight, sound, smell and taste.
- Development of fine and large motor skills: games and exercises that develop coordination, balance and dexterity.
- Outdoor games: Opportunities for physical activity, exploration, and social interaction in outdoor playgrounds.
- Psychological games: Situation games that develop imagination, creativity, emotional intelligence and social skills.
- Group, Team games: cooperative games and team building activities that promote communication, collaboration and problem solving.
- Event events: excursions, exhibitions, fairs, holidays, festivals, concerts, contests, are held in order to form an emotional perception, develop aesthetic culture.
Caregivers use age-appropriate communication methods to interact with children and facilitate learning. They involve children in meaningful conversations and listen to them. Visual aids, storytelling, music and games are used to improve communication and create an exciting learning process that develops children’s interest and imagination.
Please tell us about the qualifications of teaching staff, relationships with them, feedback from parents and communication with children. It is interesting to learn about the ratio of children and adults in the same group. (here write about everyone who works in the same group during the day, count them. For example, there are 6 adults for 24 children)
We strive to provide all conditions to ensure high-quality, harmonious and safe development of the child. The qualification of the staff is one of the key positions in this case.
The teachers have higher pedagogical education, as well as certificates in the field of preschool education and child development. All teachers have experience working with preschoolers in educational organizations. They receive thorough training in the field of pedagogy, child psychology, curriculum development and team management of children.
We create conditions for continuous professional development so that teachers are aware of the latest research and international best practices in the field of preschool education.
Teachers strive to create a favorable atmosphere in each group in which children will feel comfortable, as well as feel their own value, respect and care.They celebrate the unique strengths, interests and achievements of each child, developing a sense of belonging and self-confidence.
We also strive to create partnerships and establish cooperation with parents in supporting the development of children.
Creating an environment where parents are informed about the successes, experiences and needs of children. Each teacher tries to give feedback to parents so that the result of development and work on each process is visible, creating open channels of communication with parents through regular updates, informational messages, video and photo reports, and parent meetings. Events where parents are involved in the pedagogical process are held on a regular basis. The contribution and participation of parents is appreciated and taken into account not only when working with a particular child, but also when developing a kindergarten curriculum, activities and policies.
In the kindergarten of Oxbridge International School, there is 1 kindergarten worker for 4 children, including a teacher, highly specialized teachers, coaches, circle leaders and assistants, as well as maintenance staff. This makes it possible to better meet the needs of each child, promote constructive interaction and provide a safe and supportive learning environment.
Parents are usually interested in the environment and atmosphere in kindergarten, including the interaction of children with each other, the approach to conflict resolution, parenting, etc.
We create a positive and inclusive environment in which children are encouraged to interact respectfully with each other, cooperate and empathize.
Educators provide children with the opportunity to participate in group activities, joint projects and free games, contributing to socialization, teamwork and strengthening friendship.
Special attention is paid to teaching children basic social skills, such as the ability to act together, respect each other’s boundaries, resolve conflicts and empathize, manage their emotions, which lays the foundation for healthy relationships. Children are encouraged to express their feelings, negotiate solutions, and seek adult help when needed.
Now please tell us about the notification and feedback system. Parents also want to know how the communication between the kindergarten and the family is organized, what feedback channels are available, how they inform about changes, and so on.
During the joint activity, parents have the opportunity to ask questions, leave feedback and discuss any problems they may have. The interaction of educators and parents can help parents gain valuable information, resources, and strategies to support their child’s learning and development at home. We provide parents with many channels for feedback, asking questions and expressing wishes in the work of the kindergarten. Most often these are face-to-face meetings and phone calls, parents can also use email or a suggestion box.
Overall, we prioritize transparent, timely, and two-way communication between caregiver and parents to strengthen a strong partnership in supporting children’s learning and development. By providing regular updates, feedback opportunities, and opportunities for collaboration, Oxbridge creates a supportive community where families feel informed, engaged in the teaching process, and valued.
And now the most interesting question. What is the difference between Oxbridge International School kindergarten and other kindergartens?
- Oxbridge International School Kindergarten follows an international child development program that brings together best practices from around the world. This program provides a global perspective and prepares children for success in all areas of life.
- The kindergarten offers a bilingual educational program, according to which children from an early age master the English-speaking learning environment. This bilingual approach promotes the development of language skills and cultural competence.
- The kindergarten is equipped with the most modern equipment and resources designed for the education and comprehensive development of children. This includes spacious equipped group rooms, outdoor playgrounds, sports stadiums, two swimming pools and most importantly, an environment in which a child can not be afraid of condemnation and mistakes, trying new things and discovering his potential.
- We apply a holistic approach to education, paying special attention to the intellectual, social, emotional and physical development of each child. The curriculum includes academic training, creative self-expression and classes aimed at fostering a harmoniously developed personality.
- The kindergarten appreciates the participation of parents and maintains open channels of communication with families. Parents are encouraged to participate in their children’s education through regular updates, parent-teacher meetings and volunteer opportunities.
