“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is Service philosophy and purpose.
Element 7.1.1: A statement of philosophy guides all aspects of the service’s operations.
When did you and your team last review and reflect on the purpose and principals underpinning your statement of philosophy to ensure it accurately represents your Service’s current beliefs, values, ideologies, educational research, best practice, as well as the backgrounds and views of current children, families and stakeholders?
The statement of philosophy should be considered a ‘living document’ to reflect the current views, values and beliefs of current management, children, educators, families and the service community. To support this, Service’s should engage all staff members in critical reflection of the philosophy by including the Service’s statement of philosophy as an agenda item for regular staff meetings.
Reflection questions may include:
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- Does our current philosophy clearly articulate our vision and goals for the service?
- How does our philosophy guide decision making and every-day practice?
- How is our philosophy reflected in our interactions with children and families?
- How can we embed our core principals into our educational program, practices and routines?
- How does our philosophy guide our professional standards?
- Are there recent studies, theories or legislative updates that should be integrated into our philosophy?
- How does our philosophy adequately reflect, address and support diversity, inclusion and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures within our service?
- Does our philosophy reflect all recent changes to Service policy and procedures?
- How can we gather and integrate new input and feedback from families and relevant stakeholders in our philosophy review process?
- How does our philosophy support the ongoing professional development and well-being of our educators?
- How does our philosophy align with the ECA Code of Ethics, as well as address equity, justice, and ethical conduct within our service?
A statement of philosophy serves three purposes. It:
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- underpins the decisions, policies and daily practices of the service
- reflects a shared understanding of the role of the service among staff, children, families and the community
- guides educators’ pedagogy, planning and practice when delivering the educational program.
An authorised officer should be able to enter your Service and observe your philosophy embedded in your everyday practice, policies and procedures and overall service delivery.
To support this, ensure that the professional practices of service management, the educational leader, educators and staff are in line with your statement of philosophy. By regularly reviewing your philosophy with all members of your team, it’s more likely to be owned collectively and drive their commitment to consistently put it into practice and guide decision making.
Resources:
Reviewing your Service philosophy
How does your service philosophy guide effective leadership and governance
Does your statement of philosophy reflect children’s voices?
The what, why and how of philosophy
We Hear You- Does your service vision lead the way?
Within System7 go to Quality Area 7/Module 3 to submit self-assessment notes and if required, open a QIP issue if you identify any areas of improvement.
The Childcare Centre Desktop has a range of resources to assist services with reviewing their philosophy and documenting it. These include Record of Philosophy Review, Philosophy Development and Review Procedure and Philosophy Template.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links:
Childcare Centre Desktop – Childcare Centre Desktop
National Quality Standard – QA 7/ 7.1.1- Service philosophy and purpose
System7 Module – QA 7/ Module 3
If you have any questions send us a note via the Contact page here!
