CASS, Early Years

The North Eastern Education and Library Board acknowledges the child as a unique individual with unlimited potential for life-long learning and the importance of their learning experiences with developmentally appropriate practice through investigation, first–hand experience, talk and play.

Principles and Values for Early Years Education

To provide quality provision to benefit children’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs at their individual stages of development.
To present a learning environment where children feel safe, secure, confident and have opportunities for enjoyment
To nurture positive relationships between the staff and children to help the children to experience success and foster a positive attitude to learning
To give children appropriate responsibility, to make decisions, choices, express judgements and be respected as autonomous learners
To value the fundamental rights of the child to realise and expand his / her potential
To emphasize the importance of play as an essential and rich part of the learning process
To enhance parental partnership and involvement, recognising that parents are the first and most influential educators of children
To develop opportunities for both professionals and parent/carers to enhance their existing knowledge and skills
To ensure equality of opportunity
To promote a multi-disciplinary approach with the integration of services for a co-ordinated and consistent approach