About Our Programs
Focused on play-based learning, we understand that children thrive in an environment that meets their distinct needs, poses interesting challenges, responds creatively to their interests and ideas, and celebrates the unique contributions of each child to the group. We draw inspiration from the educators of the Reggio Emilia schools in Italy. Our emergent curriculum supports children as they build a foundation for academic skills through real-life situations.
Our Goals for Our Children:
- To be confident, friendly and respectful of themselves, others and the wider community
- To be curious, to understand how to make choices, solve problems and use resources
- To be prepared academically and socially for kindergarten and elementary school
A Typical Day
The day differs from group to group, based on age-appropriate curriculum guidelines.The youngest children are on individualized schedules with staff responding to their needs and promoting their interests as they arise. Young children are free to explore in an environment filled with open ended materials, books, and opportunities to develop muscles for movement . Sharing music, books and solving problems with a teacher nearby are part of every day’s experiences. Stroller walks outside and play on our infant yard are wonderful daily adventures (weather permitting).
A typical day for older children includes:
- Ample time for exploration, play and socializing both inside and outside
- Opportunities to meet together as a group to share ideas and stories, discuss concepts and sing together.
- Children share a healthy mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack, eat lunch together and rest after lunch.
- Music, movement and science are an integral part of the everyday experience.
Teachers plan activities and arrange the environment based on the children’s ever-changing interests. For example, an interest in dinosaurs may emerge in a preschool group. Teachers will support that interest by adding books and props for exploring dinosaurs and by planning experiences such as creating dioramas, drawing dinosaurs, learning their names, and other activities that give children the opportunity to explore their interest.
Groups are formed on a yearly basis in September. In order to foster strong teacher-child bonds and friendships, children and teachers stay together for a full year.