Academic
Our goal is to prepare our children with the foundations for academic success that will allow them to succeed in Kindergarten and all subsequent years of their education. Our emphasis is on reading readiness (literacy), math and science concepts

Social / Emotional
Academic accomplishment is an essential part of our preschool program, however it is no less important than attending to the critical social and emotional development that occurs during this period. Our goals in this regards are that our children:

• Develop positive self-images
• Emerge with a joy of learning
• Develop self expression
• Develop social skills leaning to work and play cooperatively with other children
• Develop empathy toward other children

To accomplish our goals and objectives, our teachers:

• Provide an atmosphere allowing for self-expression.
• Use positive reinforcement only
• Give immediate feedback.
• Provide a variety of success - oriented experiences.
• Place emphasis on process rather than product.
• Allow children to help! (set-up, clean-up, make rules, offer suggestions, etc...)
• Encourage (not force) participation - understand the need to not participate at times.
• Respect individuality.
• Teach with enthusiasm!
• Allow children to make mistakes

Our Day
With minor variations from center to center, all of our preschoolers closely follow a schedule that is designed to provide an adequate balance of all of the essential components that contribute to maximum development in all areas. (sample schedule-pdf)

In addition to tending to physical needs (rest, meals, cleanliness), each day provides ample opportunity for both structured & unstructured activities; large group & small group activities; teacher-directed & child-directed activities . all designed to work hand-in-hand with our curriculum and the learning environment to maximize social/emotional development, physical and cognitive development, and language development.

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Our curriculum is based upon weekly themes. Accompanying each theme are detailed lesson plans which teachers can adapt to the specific abilities, developmental levels or interests of their class: Themes (pdf), Curriculum 1 (pdf), Curriculum 2 (pdf)

The formal elements of our curriculum are taught through art & cooking activities, fingerplays, stories, and dance & movement. In addition to the dance and movement built into our theme based curriculum, our program also includes formal dance and creative movement classes on a weekly basis. Finally, we incorporate Spanish into our curriculum on a daily basis.

Art Activities
- develop fine motor skills, imagination, eye-hand coordination
- provides release for emotions
- improves pre-writing skills, visual perception

Cooking Activities
- develop an appreciation for nutritious foods
- encourage children to taste different foods
- help to develop pre-math skills (measuring, pouring)
- encourage following directions
- introduce science concepts (change in matter - i.e. liquid to solid)

Fingerplays
- develop & improves receptive & expressive language
- improve finger dexterity
- encourage participation within a group
- introduce rhythm, patterns, and rhyme

Stories
- increase attention span
- provide language development
- encourage logical thinking
- interpreting main idea, predicting outcomes
- increase memory skills

Dance & Movement
- develops basic motor skills
- encourages self expression
- increases self esteem

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Most high quality early childhood/preschool programs base their learning environment upon The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, developed by Teaching Strategies, Inc., and ours is no exception. Then central elements of the program are well planned learning centers that allow for child choice and self directed play, small groups and teaching methods that maximize the way children utilize and interact with each other and the individual centers. The focus of all of the centers is to augment social/emotional development, physical and cognitive development, and language development. Language, mathematical reasoning and scientific thought are emphasized throughout. Typical Centers present at all of our locations are:

• Language/Library/Listening
• Dramatic Play
• Technology/Computers
• Outdoor Learning
• Math/Manipulatives
• Construction/Blocks
• Art/Creative Expression
• Science
• Music & Movement
• Sensory: Sand/Water/Textures

Communications
Our communications begin before the first day of class. Through a written questionnaire and discussion, we endeavor to learn as much as possible about the uniqueness of each child and their family. Throughout the year, in addition to extensive informal interaction, two formal parent/teacher conferences are held. Our teachers are always available to meet with parents regarding questions and concerns at mutually convenient times. Teachers can frequently arrange telephone or in-person conferences during the middle of the day.

Daily summaries of each day's activities, as well as weekly curriculum overviews are posted on bulletin boards outside of classrooms.

Monthly newsletters detail activities within the center and overviews of curriculum themes for the coming month.