Educational Philosophy

Children need opportunities to play and to form meaningful relationships with peers and adults in order to develop their social, emotional, intellectual, and imaginative sides. Classroom practices reflect what we know generally about how all children develop, and what we learn specifically about each child in the school.

Learning through Play

In play, children develop language, social, creative, and cognitive skills. Playing gives children the opportunity to practice and understand what they observe in the world.  A child’s capacity to play is positively associated with future academic success.

When children play together, language, social development, creativity and cognition are at work.  Many kinds of learning emerge from children’s play.  A child’s capacity to play is positively associated with future academic success.  

Learning through Relationships

The teachers work to help children:

·     Relate to peers and significant adults

·     Recognize and appropriately express feelings

·     Resolve conflicts in ways that strengthen the capacity for self-control and inspire cooperation.

Early Academic Learning

Carefully planned play and learning activities promote healthy social and emotional development while supporting physical and cognitive growth. The curriculum is individualized based on close observation of each child and in partnership with parents. Classroom materials and routines are selected to provide opportunities for children to practice skills and develop concepts. For example, at group time children hear books that are selected for the rhyming and predictable language that enhance pre-reading skills, for a story line that encourages sequencing, or for content that responds to current interests. Puzzles, blocks, and other manipulatives give children opportunities to experience physical and mathematical properties, to carry out multi-step activities, and to practice problem-solving. Pretend play props such as the toy kitchen stimulate conversation and encourage children to take on different roles, an activity considered important in developing empathy.

The program provides a small class size with ample space and time for creative play. Each child’s developmental needs are assessed on an ongoing basis by master-level teachers. Frequent meetings between the director, parents and teachers facilitate an evolving understanding of each child and his/her needs.

To discuss whether this program would be helpful for your child, please contact the Director. See Contact Us.


Program Features:

• Small class size and high staff-to-child ratio
• Teachers with expertise in educational and developmental issues
• Enriched multi-sensory learning environment
• Parent guidance, support and education programs
• Evaluation and referrals to auxiliary services
• Opportunities for observation, training, and research in child development and education
  

Program Details:

• Children ages 3-6
• Maximum class size of 8
• 11-month program, September through July
• Monday - Friday, 8:30 am – 12:15 pm
• Bi-weekly parent consultations
• For admissions information, please contact our Director. See Contact Us.