Guiding Principles
We endeavour to make each child and family feel welcome, heard, and respected at Terra Nova Nature School. Each day presents an opportunity to build relationships, and we hold this idea dear to our hearts. We recognize the value in the diversity of our community and believe each person has much to contribute to the well-being of our society.
Our hope is that our days are filled with joy, compassion, and care. We want children to have time to explore with both energy and a sense of calm; to create friendships through play and investigations; and to see themselves as contributors to our community.
we employ
a place-based approach to education that promotes respect for the environment, teaches ecological literacy, and develops environmental stewardship; we re-visit our ‘places’ and come to know them intimately, thereby nurturing an empathy for our corner of the Earth.
we practice
a play-based approach to facilitate learning opportunities for the children; we offer children ample time and opportunity to stretch their imaginations, problem-solve, and develop their social competency.
we value
and respect children as co-creators of their education; our curriculum is experiential and responsive to their interests.
We recognize
that historical and social injustices exist in our Canadian context, and endeavour to build equity in our community through education and ally-ship.
we believe
in building community; we strive to create deep and meaningful connections with families, other Terra Nova user groups, and our Municipality and the More-than-Human.
we adhere
to the Code of Ethics as set by the Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia, and we are guided by our professional document, the ‘British Columbia Early Learning Framework’.
