Multimedia policy.
How we use photographs, video, and other media of children at our centres.
Aim
- To provide the children with exposure to different forms of media to complement their learning.
- For children to use information and communication technologies to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinking.
- For the children to use information and communication technologies to access images and information, explore diverse perspectives and make sense of their world.
- For children to use information and communication technologies as tools for designing, drawing, editing, reflecting, and composing.
Information technology (IT) devices include, but are not limited to, computers, laptops, iPads, tablets, Smart Boards, televisions (including smart TVs) and DVD players.
Implementation('Screen time')
The time children spend watching content on IT devices at the service will be consistent with the Federal Government’s ‘Get Up and Grow’ Guide ie:
birth to 2 years - zero time per day (very short viewings for educational purposes is okay)
2-5 years less than one hour per day
Screen time is to be used for educational purposes only and to be used as a teaching tool to enhance the learning program.
Educators will take into consideration the time children may also spend watching screen content at home
We recognise the use of technology as a learning tool for children in today's society, while we also understand that increased 'screen time' offers the children less opportunity for active and creative play. Television, DVDs, and relevant education clips from the internet, from child appropriate websites i.e., volcanos erupting, space etc. will be used where relevant to enhance curriculum activities and never used as a substitution for interactions and collaborative learning between educators and children. Educators will sit with children to monitor and discuss any aspects of the content they are viewing. Considering this the following considerations will be taken:
TV Viewing
1. Viewing criteria includes the following:
Educational
Age Appropriate
No violence
Acceptable viewing: Playschool or other appropriate viewing from ABC Kids programming, story videos/DVDs based on children's books, documentaries, children's music and movement DVDs, DVDs of children participating in Centre activities. Viewing materials must be G rated only. To show clips from the internet, child appropriate websites may be accessed that support children’s learning i.e., volcanoes erupting, space, recycling etc.
2. Staff Supervision: Viewing needs to be limited in normal class groups. Staff ratios for individual groups must be maintained. Staff must be actively participating in supervision of the children and encourage participation and discussion which is appropriate to the viewed material.
3. Safety: The multimedia setup is situated where all staff can supervise the children at all times so children have no contact with electrical appliances. Where possible, they are situated out of reach of children.
4. Viewing content is to be used where relevant to enhance curriculum activities and never to be used as a substitution for interactions and collaborative learning between educators and children.
iPad/Computer/CleverTouch Screen use
The classroom iPad, computers and CleverTouch screen are to be used to support the children's learning and for educational purposes only.
Educators are to closely monitor the children's use of iPad, computers and CleverTouch screen.
Restrictions will be placed on the iPads, computers and CleverTouch screen to prevent access to inappropriate content.
All software and apps will be examined by staff to decide their educational validity before being installed for children's use. One staff member will be responsible for overseeing the use of iPad, computers and CleverTouch and overseeing their appropriate use.
iPads, computers and CleverTouch in the centre must not be used to access social media websites at the service.
iPads, computer, CleverTouch use will be limited to a ½-hour session per day.
All children will be given access to the classroom iPad, computers and CleverTouch.
*This policy is a work in progress and may be modified as we gain experience with the implementation and use of iPad, computers and CleverTouch within the service.
Anything that is to be viewed by the children is to be reviewed by an educator first to ensure suitability.
*Music videos etc may be streamed if it is relevant to the children’s learning or to professional development of educators. Streaming of this kind will only take place from websites where this can legally take place i.e., iTunes or YouTube.
Eikoh Child Care Centre App:
Our centres use of our App developed by OWNA Corp Pty Ltd has been incorporated into our daily learning program with the children. Our App is available on all our centre iPads. Supervision will not be compromised as a result of using the centres App. Educators will maintain appropriate ratios of staff: children at all times. Educators will share elements of the children’s day, information about their routines, their observations and events happening within the centre through our App.
Eikoh Child Care Centre Facebook and Instagram
We at Eikoh believe there is a place for the use of social media to share information about the centre and its educational programs with families and community.
The account administrator of the Eikoh social media will be the Centre’s Director, who will have the responsibilities to ensure the running of the Facebook and Instagram page. This social media will only be used to provide relevant information about the Centre, uploading photos of the educational program, promoting the Centre’s events, responding to questions from the local community, creating links to the Centre’s website and monitoring or removing any comments deemed to be unacceptable or inappropriate.
On enrolment parents will be informed of the social media policy and will need to sign permission to use non-recognisable images of children, i.e., photos of children from their back or creative artwork of the children.
Personal IT Devices
Educators must not access personal IT devices (e.g., smart phones, tablets, iPad etc) while interacting with children or contributing to service ratios.
Any educators or staff members found to be using IT devices inappropriately will face an enquiry by management and other relevant parties to decide a course of action based on the severity of their misconduct. Illegal conduct will be reported to the police or appropriate authority. Outcomes of inappropriate or illegal conduct include termination of employment.
Source: Early Years Learning Framework V2.0 2022
National Quality Standard
Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations
Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating & Physical Activity for Early Childhood
Sources
- Centre Support
This policy is the property of Eikoh Seminar Australia Pty Limited and must not be reproduced without the consent of management.