The Rainbow Curriculum

Just like rainbows, education never ends.

We have a unique curriculum written and reviewed specifically for the service. This is in place to facilitate the educational and developmental needs of the children in our care. The carers use this curriculum to ensure your child takes part in a balanced range of fun activities and educational programmes suited to his or her development. Our Rainbow Curriculum is based on the premise that children are the leaders in their own education.

This really is, as our motto says, “A helping hand in those formative years”. It will give you the knowledge and understanding that, as each child begins to learn, walk, run, explore, question, mark make & act; it will be with confidence that this is happening in a secure, safe environment, leading them comfortably and easily into their future and compulsory schooling.

At Fhionn’s Afterschool the team plan and provide a broad range of activities daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly that promote physical, intellectual, linguistic, emotional and social development, and are sensitive to the individual needs of each child in our care. We recognise the importance of providing children with the best standards of education appropriate to their age. Regular training of and courses for the staff take place to ensure this high standard is maintained. We continuously monitor this curriculum ensuring that we are implementing suitable and flexible activities and opportunities.

The room is designed and set out with a complete range of activities included in accordance with our Rainbow Curriculum.

Activities include:

• Table top e.g. jigsaws, pegs, threading, which help develop fine motor skills and mathematical thinking.
• Library & Chill Out Corner filled with soft furnishings and wide ranges of books.
• Construction areas complete with different types of blocks, Stickle bricks, Lego etc.
• Imaginative play/ dramatic play e.g. dress up or role play enhancing social skills and imagination.
• Messy areas have painting, play-dough, water play etc…and even a few surprise textures to encourage sensorial play and exploration.
• Large outdoor area with appropriate equipment to encourage play and development there.
• Music area equipped with instruments and music players
• Home work room – separate from the main activity room.

We also have additional educational programmes delivered as part of our service Ceol’s ‘Step into Music’ Programme. This is an innovative approach to music education. The programme introduces children to composing, performing, listening and responding, as well as musical concepts in a fun and child-centred manner. Progressively they will build confidence through being provided with opportunities to learn about sound, pitch, rhythm, tempo etc. giving them a well balanced, extensive and solid foundation in their musical education. Development and understanding in math’s and language is also achieved through this programme as well as linking it in with activities such as movement, drama and art.

Buntus, a comprehensive physical activity programme: This programme introduces young people to sport and physical activity. Staff are trained by the Irish Sports Council. Delivery of such programme plays a major role in the lives of young people. It is an enjoyable multi-sport and non-competitive model and is used to introduce our children to sport that will complement and enhance both compulsory school and choice community sports programmes. These physical activity sessions facilitate fun and a high quality opportunity for sport.

‘The World Around Us’ Programme: Through this programme we introduce and explore cultures geography, countries and history. By introducing children to this programme we seek to develop children holistically by exposing each child to experiences both in and outside the immediate environment. This philosophy enables us to better meet our objectives to improve students’ performance both academically and socially. This program will also encourage parental involvement in the children’s activities, growth and development. As a result, the education process will provide opportunities for our parents to engage in a meaningful way.

The team at Fhionn’s Afterschool take very seriously their commitment to the development of children’s natural curiosity and appetite for new experiences so that he or she begins to benefit and contribute to the afterschool service from the outset. The afterschool has the resources to look after the development of children from 4years up until about 10years of age.
Regular development assessments are made which are reviewed throughout the year and relayed to parents.

Weekly and monthly activity curriculum plans are drawn up which gives parents an insight into what types of activities their children will be exposed to and what they will be learning and encouraged to do. Children will have access to the outdoor play area on a daily basis so we ask that children are dressed appropriately each day.