Curriculum

We utilize both The Creative Curriculum, designed to meet the needs of families and children, and Teaching Strategies GOLD, a research-based assessment tool to provide higher quality, individual lesson plans.

Curriculum Goals

Children will achieve a positive sense of self and become confident, curious, independent learners.
Children will engage in productive play and learning experiences that promote individual development in the following domains: social/emotional, cognitive, physical, and language.
Children will treat others with respect and will develop caring human connections within their community.
Children will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the natural environment.
Children will develop social compentence.

For All Ages

In each age group, all lead teachers are responsible for preparing weekly lesson plans based on age-appropriate learning activities. These plans are posted on the parent information board in each classroom for parent's review. The activities are planned to enhance and encourage the children's developmental areas of

language,
cognitive,
fine motor,
gross motor,
self-help, and
social-emotional skills.

Please ask your child's lead teacher if you have any questions about the plans. Teachers welcome parent input in planning activities for children.

Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Twos

Infant, Toddler and Twos classes use the nationally recognized Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos in developing their classroom activities. The five components of this curriculum are

creating a responsive environment,
children’s learning,
caring and teaching,
partnering with families, and
knowing infants, toddlers, and two's.

These five components are met through the routines and experiences the teacher develops with the children. These experiences are based around

free-play,
dramatic play, s
tories and books,
music,
art,
food,
sensory, and outdoors.

Intentional learning and relationship-building activities are planned during routine times such as,

hellos and good-byes,
diapering and toileting,
eating and mealtimes,
sleeping and nap time, and
getting dressed.

Through daily observations, teachers create an individual curriculum for each child.

Preschool and School-Age

Preschool classes use the nationally recognized Creative Curriculum as a basis for planning the classroom environment and activities. The Creative Curriculum is based on theory and research and examines five main components:

how children develop and learn,
the learning environment,
what children learn,
the teacher’s role, and
the family’s role.

Teachers set up the environment to focus on children in small groups and individually through the use of different interest areas, including

Dramatic Play,
Blocks,
Art,
Discovery,
Sand and Water,
Computer, and
Manipulatives.

Through the Creative Curriculum, teachers observe and interact with the children to expand on their interests to promote developmental growth, cognitive learning, and a desire to learn more about their world.