Environment

Our goal is for each of our classrooms to create a place for children to enjoy learning. They can actively explore the materials around them, engage in activities appropriate to their skill level, and expand their natural curiosity. The program works to achieve a minimum average score of “Good” on each subscale of the Environmental Rating Scale tool. An annual environment rating scale is completed as part of the self-evaluation process. In addition, our environments are set-up using our adopted curriculum. Creative Curriculum is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning, enabling children to develop confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical thinking skills. 
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Curriculum

Our curriculum is child-centered, hands-on, and developmentally appropriate that builds upon the interests of each individual child. Your child will have an opportunity to explore, create, and learn in the following centers:
Blocks- Blocks develop an understanding of concepts of length, height, weight, and area. Blocks help to develop large and small muscle skills. In addition, blocks help to develop creativity skills when children create roads, houses, and bridges.
Dramatic Play- Dramatic play is a positive stepping stone toward self-regulation and helps children grow their ability to inhabit their impulses, coordinate with others and make plans. In this area, children are encouraged to resolve conflict, consider alternative perspectives and recognize the various roles and responsibilities. Children act out different roles and experiences in a variety of settings such as camping, outer space, the farm, work, and more.
Manipulative/Table Toys- Table toys are games, manipulative puzzles, and collectables that children can play with at the table or on the floor. They offer children a quiet activity that they can do alone, with a friend, or with an adult. Table toys offer many opportunities for children to experiment with construction and innovation. Physical development is enhanced as children practice eye-hand coordination while playing with puzzles, pegs, stringing beads, and interlocking cubes.
Art- Children are naturally creative. Most children enjoy using materials such as paint, markers, crayons, cornstarch and collage materials to create something that is uniquely their own. It enables them to learn beginning writing skills, express themselves, appreciate beauty and have fun all at the same time. For young children, the process of creating is what is most important, not what they create. Remember children will get messy while creating. Please dress them appropriately.
Sand and Water- Children enjoy the sensory (touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight) experience of sand and water. They also learn to play cooperatively with others, sharing water toys as well as exploring social roles (washing dolls and dishes). The process of playing in sand and water has a calming effect on children.
Library- The library can be an oasis in the classroom. It is place to get away from more active interest areas, relax in a soft environment and enjoy the wonderful world of literature. Exposure to books and storytelling helps children understand that their feelings, fears, questions and problems are not unique to them. Acquiring a love for books is one of the most powerful incentives for children to become readers.
Music and Movement- Music naturally delights and moves children. Preschool children move in time to music and often make up little dances to dramatize songs or events and to express emotions. Singing or chanting can help make routine activities and transitions, such as gathering children into a circle for a group activity, smoother and more enjoyable. Music and movement are also social activities that help children feel part of the group.
Writing Center- An effective writing center invites children to explore the world of print. This area can include thick pencils, markers, chalk, chalkboards, crayons and various types and sizes of paper, as well as miscellaneous items such as envelopes, stencils and various printed materials to introduce the children to print. Young children love to use these materials to imitate adult writing. Early attempts at writing mark the first development stage and may look more like scribbling than anything else. However, it takes on definite form in the child’s mind.
Math-This area provides an opportunity for children to manipulate a variety of mathematic resources and tools. Children practice problem solving, measuring, developing their own spatial awareness, through sorting, building, noticing patterns, making comparisons, as well as counting through every day informal activities.