Excursions/ Incursions at the Cubbyhouse.
Excursions/ incursions play an important role in early childhood education. Learning to be part of our wider community is important for young children. Adding excursions/ incursions to the program builds a child’s experience. It allows them to explore their community and bring the community to the centre.
Excursions/ Incursions develop the children’s understanding of the world around them. They provide extra learning experiences that are quite exciting as they are different to the every day routines.
We hold these outings and visits at different times of the year. Depending on educational value, availability, developmental appropriateness, and the weather. We use public transport or walking excursions. As well as visitors to the Cubbyhouse.
The Excursions/ Incursions we access are
*of educational value
*involve local services – the library, fire station and police.
*visits to or from schools or farms
*animal shows and musical performances
Recently we had children’s group “Hi-5”, have a meet and greet at our Taree Cubbyhouse. The Kempsey Cubbyhouse is looking forward to the fire brigade bringing their truck in to learn about fire safety. And a regular visitor to Cubbyhouse “Bob the Reptile Man” will be returning this year to all three Cubbyhouse centres. We will also attend the library for story times. Also to take part in the National Simultaneous story time. Also local schools for a variety of experiences.
We complete risk assessments before excursions/ incursions take place. This ensures the safety of all attending. After the excursions/ incursions an evaluation is completed. This determines how the excursion was of value to the children. Also if any changes are needed should it be repeated at a later stage. As per the Education and Care Service National Regulations,no child will be taken out of The Cubbyhouse without a written permission note from the parent or guardian, signed and dated.
When leaving the Cubbyhouse for group excursions we have a ratio of 1 adult:2 children for under three year olds. This ratio is 1:4 for three to five year olds. Families are invited to attend. This gives us extra hands to help out and extra eyes to supervise. Siblings of children attending with supervising adults are counted in the appropriate ratio group.
