Bringing Research Alive in Nido Early Schools…
Nido Baldivis is a great example of how Nido brings alive Australian Early Development Census(AEDC) research in curriculum planning.
Baldivis, taking local results, plus ideas from the children themselves, families and Educators, used this information to determine where to focus resources and staff development.
Surprisingly, the Baldivis AEDC results showed a decrease in children developmentally on-track in their physical health. Given the number of beautiful parks within the area, Nido staff explored what was underpinning the results. They found that working parents had less time to take children to the park, an increase in the use of technology and limited shade at playgrounds, all contributed to less outdoor play.
So, what did they do?
The Nido staff raised awareness about the importance of physical development, both in the Early School and local community. Local parks were showcased in their weekly newsletter, the number of park excursions increased, and a community map was created to show experiences available. The Nido outdoor environment was adapted to encourage increased physical activity and included a scooter and bike parking station. The Early School also coordinated weekend family playdate sessions at local parks.
What’s next for Nido Baldivis using AEDC results?
To the future, Nido Baldivis will continue to use results to monitor local child development trends to ensure they meet the needs all of Nido children.