| The early stages of childhood are a vital | | | | education as many relationship and social skills are |
| developmental stage for all children, with respect | | | | developed, along with motor and coordination |
| to their intellectual, emotional and social growth. | | | | aptitudes. The use of toys to build or create |
| From birth to the age of six, the expansion of | | | | something is often termed constructive play. |
| physical and mental abilities progresses at | | | | These usually include the use of building blocks, |
| astonishing speed, with a surmountable level of | | | | puzzles and the like. Pretend play allows children to |
| learning occurring during this life stage. This is a | | | | express themselves, often projecting themselves |
| period in a child's life where education, care and | | | | as something they are not. As well as honing |
| quality learning experiences are required to | | | | social and language skills, the development of a |
| encourage further growth and development. | | | | rich imagination should be encouraged. |
| From the moment a newborn enters the world, | | | | The importance of family will drive parents to |
| the learning process begins, and one which will not | | | | inspect a number of early childhood educational |
| end until time itself. The growing provision of | | | | facilities before a final decision is made. A |
| kindergarten and pre-school facilities are a | | | | comfortable, warm and pleasant environment is |
| testament to the growing emphasis being placed | | | | always attractive, but more and more emphasis is |
| on early childhood education. Research has shown | | | | being placed on the quality of the staff. Parents |
| that positive early learning experiences correlate | | | | will search for pre-school facilities with staff that |
| with positive social, emotional and intellectual | | | | are suitably educated and experienced in leading |
| development which greatly impacts upon the | | | | small groups of children, have a solid background |
| future direction and capabilities of children. | | | | in early childhood education training and vocational |
| Even though parents are the biggest educational | | | | studies, with staff that can provide a rich, |
| influence in the first few years, busy lifestyles, | | | | interesting and safe learning environment. |
| economic pressures and time constraints have | | | | Being involved in the education and learning stages |
| created a society that is increasingly reliant on | | | | of children can be one of the most rewarding |
| pre-school facilities – not only to provide | | | | careers. However, with the increasing pressure on |
| quality care services for their children, but to | | | | educational facilities to regulate staff based on |
| provide early childhood education to stimulate | | | | qualifications, a future in this industry requires the |
| healthy development and growth. | | | | successful completion of an early childhood |
| Play is a very important process within child | | | | education training programme. Ring for a |
| development, where fun is experienced with the | | | | prospectus from a leading tertiary education |
| combination of learning. It is considered an | | | | provider today and shape the youth of tomorrow. |
| essential component of an early childhood | | | | |