Activity 3.1 | Shared Vision, Goals and Philosophy

Shared vision and philosophy

A shared vision and philosophy anchor the work of a childcare centre, ensuring that everyone involved works cohesively and intentionally toward the same goals. Team leaders, educators and families can refer to these often, collaboratively, to ensure they still fit with the community and educators working in the centre. Without it, Educators and staff will practice based on inherited practices, individual values, and beliefs. This can often result in inconsistency for children and families and conflict within teams. 

Having shared visions, goals and a philosophy guides practice and decision-making. It provides a clear framework for routines, curriculum-making, and interactions with children and staff. Building these collaboratively fosters alignment within the team’s practices and cultivates a sense of shared ownership, belonging, and collaboration among staff. 

Please see the Relational Leadership course for more in-depth learning about creating your philosophy and commitment statements. 

Creating a Shared Vision

To create shared vision and philosophy statements, consider how you could: 

• Host meetings where all staff members, including educators, administrators, and support staff, can openly share their values, beliefs, and goals for the centre. Start with a prompt such as: What do we want children and families to feel when they walk into our centre?

• Involve families and community members in the process. This could be done together with staff, but as families' lives are busy, consider asking for contributions through surveys, and short feedback sessions. This ensures the vision reflects the needs and aspirations of those the centre serves.

• Have educators observe and reflect on everyday practices in the centre. Identify what is working well and aligns with the collective values, and build your vision and philosophy around those strengths.

• Draw on the BC Early Learning Framework and ECEBC code of ethics to guide your thinking. 

• Collaboratively draft a philosophy statement that captures shared visions for practice in the centre. Revisit it, reflect and question if each line uses language that reflects inclusivity, and diversity. Treat the vision and philosophy as living documents. Schedule regular reviews to ensure they evolve with the team, families, and community's changing needs and values.

• Acknowledge the input of every participant in shaping the vision and philosophy, reinforcing a sense of shared ownership and collaboration.

Facilitating a Shared Discussion.

This section provides some steps to support cohesive, shared values and vision when facilitating a consultation or collaborative discussion. 

Remember that you will need an extended time to engage in this process; it is best done over a whole or half day. 

Step 1: Considering personal values

Ask each person to take 5 minutes to write down responses to these questions:

• What is your image of the child? What is your image of the educator?

• Think about a time when you felt truly aligned with your purpose as an educator. What was happening? 

• What values do you hold about the care and education of young children?

Have everyone share their reflections with a partner, encouraging them to listen for common themes and inspirations. 

Each pair shares one key insight with the larger group, and as a facilitator, capture words and phrases on a large sheet of paper. From there, identify common core values, and if you have existing vision and value statements, see where they align with what is already in place. 

Step 2: Considering Values 

Divide participants into small groups. 

Provide them with a set of value words (e.g., respect, belonging, curiosity, joy, equity, collaboration, sustainability, agency, playfulness, well-being). 

Each group selects 4–6 words that they feel must be central to the centre’s identity.

For each chosen value, the group answers:

• What does this look like in practice with children, families, and each other
• How does this value shape our daily interactions and decision-making?

Each group posts their values and definitions around the room. Staff walk around, adding sticky notes with affirmations, questions, or connections to their own experiences. As a whole group, review the themes that emerged from Parts 1 & 2. Identify key phrases, repeated words, or statements that resonate.

Drafting a Vision Statement

Using these insights, collaboratively draft a vision statement that captures the essence of the centre’s identity. Example structure:

“At [Centre Name], we believe in ______. We are committed to creating a space where ______. Through ______, we nurture a community that ______.”

Read the drafted statement aloud, does it reflect the group’s values? Make any necessary refinements. 

End with a group affirmation, such as a collective agreement to embody this vision moving forward.

Reflect

1. How might you create opportunities in your work with children, families and staff to engage them in these conversations?

Document your thoughts in your journal.