Preschoolers are active and avid learners, which is evident in the classroom routine, activities, and experiences designed to address all learning styles. The preschool utilizes the Creative Curriculum for Preschool, which is a comprehensive, scientifically-based Early Childhood program for young children ages 3-5 years. The curriculum has been carefully developed and rigorously researched to ensure its alignment with the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in the State Department of Education.
The teachers utilize studies that prepare the lessons that implement investigative, project-based learning in the classroom. The areas of development emphasized in the studies include literacy, math, the arts (music, art, dance, dramatic play), social studies, science, motor (gross, fine, sensory), and social/emotional development. The studies utilize areas of interest derived from questionnaires to parents and observations of the children. Each study then will have a specific subject focus (i.e. families, fish, colors, buildings, etc.) lasting three or four weeks in length.
The teachers are using the Creative Curriculum Developmental Continuum for Ages 3-5 that is designed to assess each child's progress and guide program planning. The teacher monitors the continuum for each child with assistance from the entire preschool team. This team consists of the General Early Childhood Teacher, Teaching Assistants, an Early Childhood Special Educator, Speech/Language Pathologist, Mental Health Professional, and an Occupational Therapist. This team meets regularly to plan and develop studies and individualize learning opportunities for all children in the classroom.
Information will be shared with parents regarding their child's progress at twice yearly parent/teacher conferences or at any time parents would like an update on how their child is progressing.
Parents are welcome to visit any time, encouraged to volunteer for an activity and attend the parents nights that occur throughout the year. These may include one-time special events, as well as events that occur yearly such as back to school nights or the 1,2,3,4 Parent program, a parenting education series offered for free, related to the preschool social/emotional program, Devereux Early Childhood Assessment.