General Information

Philosophy & Program Goals

We believe that every child is a unique individual with strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, abilities, and feelings. We accept every child as he/she comes to us, and through a variety of developmentally appropriate activities we provide the opportunity for the child to grow socially, intellectually, emotionally, and physically. We provide a classroom climate which promotes the development of self confidence, the ability to relate to peers, learning by doing and a continued sense of curiosity and wonder about the world and all that is in it.

We believe that the strength of our program is the dedication of our professional teaching staff. Our staff is chosen for their love, enjoyment and respect for children as well as their educational background and experience. We support our staff as they continue to learn and grow in the field of early childhood.

We believe in positive methods of discipline. We establish consistent, age appropriate limits to help children function in their world. Our programs are designed to develop in children a sense of independence and responsibility. We desire to strengthen each child’s own cultural identity, while at the same time, instilling respect for and acceptance of others.

Working in partnership with parents is a vital part of our program. We provide opportunities for parents to be involved with their child’s program, to have open communication with the teacher, and be involved with each other in social and educational experiences.

Program Goals — Infants

• To care for infants in a warm, affectionate way that lets each child know that he/she is a special person. This includes the physical affection and cuddling that is so important at this stage of development
• To completely meet each child’s physical needs
• To follow strict health and safety standards
• To provide opportunities for exploring, learning and social interaction through a variety of daily activities
• To provide activities which stimulate the sense: sight, touch, smell, taste, and sound
• To provide for the use of large and small motor skills, both inside and outdoors
• To provide a system of daily communication between the home and child care which allows for parent involvement and a consistency of care which is most beneficial to the child
• To develop a system of visitation which allows for a smooth transition into the Twos program.

Program Goals — Two’s

• To provide a loving, caring atmosphere where physical affection is freely given. To instill in each child a feeling of autonomy and positive self-concept.
• To provide a joyful, enthusiastic and spontaneous approach with the children
• To meet each child’s physical needs
• To establish the foundations for respect of equipment
• To establish the foundations for respect of others — social development
• To provide for growth in language development
• To make available a variety of materials at the child’s level
• To provide ample opportunity of use of gross motor skills
• To provide a variety of activities which begin to introduce the curriculum areas of art, science, cooking, social studies, dramatic play, manipulatives, language, large motor, music and movement.
• To be supportive of parents: Encouraging involvement and open and honest communication
• To develop self-help skills in order to create a feeling of independence and confidence in the child (toilet learning, classroom chores, self dressing)
• To establish room awareness among the staff so that a safe environment is always present both indoors and out
• To provide care in smaller sub groups in order to give each child more personal attention, to prevent under or over stimulations, to allow more freedom of choices and to maintain a more relaxed atmosphere

Program Goals — Threes, Fours, Fives

• To provide a nurturing, flexible, and calm atmosphere where physical affection is freely given, self-concept is enhanced, independence is encourag3ed and expectations are made clear
• To be supportive of parents: encouraging involvement and open and honest communication
• To establish room awareness among staff so that a safe environment is always present both indoors and out
• To meet each child’s physical needs while setting the stage for future independence in self care
• To establish respect for the equipment and materials
• To establish an observation system in which children’s development is noted
• To promote emotional growth: build self confidence and a sense of self worth by allowing choices within limits and to build in successful experiences — provide a warm accepting environment for the children in which to work and play — encourage curiosity and a sense of wonder with emphasis on self motivation
• To promote social growth by instilling a sense of caring and sensitivity towards others and a recognition of group needs and individual differences
• To promote intellectual growth: instill a sense of curiosity — provide an atmosphere where children discover and explore — teach independence through teaching how and where to find solutions — provide a wide variety of activities within a routine where cooperative play is encouraged. Curriculum areas of art, math science, cooking music and movement, large muscle, practical al life, dramatic play, language arts, and fine motor activities are included. Through these activities children are learning to be able to trust their won feelings about what they learn, hear, see and do and to begin sharing these experiences with others.
• To promote creative thinking and artistic expression
• To promote physical/motor development through children participating in fine and large motor activities both indoors and out