Curriculum is based on accepted theories of child development and is individualized to meet the needs of every child. The curriculum provides activities and experiences that are functional, interesting, and developmentally appropriate as well as concepts that are incorporated into a theme-based approach.

Our curriculum is designed to educate the whole child and meet children’s developmental needs through large group and small group activities and experiences as well as individualized activities and experiences. These activities and experiences are offered while in the classroom setting and while outdoors.

The following developmentally appropriate curriculums are utilized for children at the preschool:

  1. The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos, Second Edition. Amy Laura Dombro, Laura J. Colker, Diane Trister Dodge.
  2. The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, Fourth Edition. Diane Trister Dodge, Laura J. Colker, Cate Heroman.

In creating and maintaining a birth to kindergarten program, this curriculum assists caregivers to:

  • Meet children’s individual developmental needs in the areas of; social-emotional, physical fine and gross motor, cognitive, and language development.
  • Become good observers of children, through day to day activities and experiences.
  • Use a combination of training and direct observation to tune into a child’s cues and respond to them appropriately. Caregivers understand that different cries have different meanings, promote better understanding of children’s temperament, learn how children prefer to make needs and preferences known and respond positively to communication cues.
  • Use daily routines such as feeding, diapering and dressing to afford a variety of opportunities so children can develop communication, interaction, autonomy, self-awareness, naming and learning body parts, use of action words, and develop self-help skills.
  • Assess children’s needs, interests and abilities in order to plan appropriately.
  • Use a wide range of teaching strategies that call for different levels of teacher involvement and an awareness of developmental milestones.
  • Create classroom communities where children learn to work together and solve problems.
  • Establish the structure that has to be in place for caregivers to be intentional about what they plan and teach so children can learn.
  • Plan meaningful learning experiences for children that build on children’s interests and knowledge.
  • Integrate the learning of appropriate skills, concepts and knowledge in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, and technology.

 

Teachers provide consistent, predictable, responsive caregiving routines daily for each child and within the group in order to create secure attachments in meeting the needs of the children and families they work with.  

6 WEEKS TO 15 MONTHS:

  • Develop secure relationships
  • Focus on basic skills, and discovery
  • Safe, healthy, nurturing environment promoting exploration
  • Creative Curriculum: social-emotional, physical, cognitive, language, and creative expression
  • Individual assessment

15 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS:

  • Focus on language development and socialization
  • Instill confidence and sense of positive accomplishment
  • Toilet training to compliment/reinforce your home training
  • Creative Curriculum: social-emotional, physical, cognitive, language, and creative expression
  • Individual assessment

3 YEARS TO 4 YEARS:

  • Focus on learning skills, creativity and cooperation with others
  • Development of self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and regulation
  • Creative Curriculum: social-emotional, physical, cognitive, language, music, academic skills, and creative expression
  • Develop respect for self and others
  • Reinforce positive attitudes towards school and learning
  • Kindergarten readiness assessment