Curriculum Overview

Curriculum is the heart and soul of any learning program. It’s defined as all the experiences, activities, and interactions that foster children’s learning and development. Curriculum includes the nurturing relationships between teachers and children, the learning environment and activities, daily schedule, children’s skills assessments, and our partnership with families.

WE SUPPORT CHILDREN IN

successfully meeting all developmental objectives
learning real-world content
developing their imagination, curiosity, self-esteem and a love for learning

WE TEACH THEM TO BE

confident, flexible, and resilient thinkers and learners
strong communicators excellent planners and decision-makers
and to become compassionate and supportive friends, family members, and team players, and responsible citizens of the world around them

Learning through Play

We believe that children learn best through play and that childhood should not be rushed. Children need the time and space to develop in their own unique way at their own pace. Because research tells us play enhances all areas of development in young children, play-centered learning is the basis of our curriculum.

BALANCED LEARNING ACTIVITIES

We believe children need balance. Children learn in many different ways, so learning activities throughout our program are a balance of structure and flexibility, individual, small-group and large-group experiences, child-initiated and teacher-led, quiet and active periods, and multi-sensory approaches. Each program is designed to encourage children to build upon learned skills and previous learning and experiences, with opportunities to reflect, revisit and connect.

Trusting Relationships

We believe that teaching children to trust is the root of every good relationship. We know from research that teacher-child relationships play a significant role in influencing young children’s social and emotional development, and that teachers’ interaction styles help children build positive and emotionally secure relationships with adults. In our program, children develop trusting relationships with nurturing and experienced teachers who show children respect, and interact with them in caring and individualized ways, listening to them, getting down to their level, hugging them, calmly implementing clear and consistent limits, and engaging in many supportive individual interactions to establish trust, encourage motivation, engagement and a positive attitude towards learning.

HANDS-ON EXPLORATION

Young children discover the world through their senses, through active exploration of materials, moving throughout the classroom, and interacting with one another. To take advantage of their natural motivations and their sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them, our teachers create hands-on, active learning experiences. We emphasize experimentation and problem-solving through investigation and collaboration, focusing on the process of learning, not just the end product.

Positive Learning Environment

We believe children need a safe and stimulating learning environment. Research shows us that children learn better when the learning environment is positive and supportive. Our classrooms are safe, inviting, and stimulating and include a variety of well-rounded and engaging learning centers and open-ended materials that foster children’s growth in language, large and small muscles, creativity, imagination, self-help skills, and cultural awareness. In addition, each classroom’s schedule and routines reinforce learning by being structured enough to provide children security and predictability, while flexible enough to meet children’s needs

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

We believe in partnering with parents. Studies show that parents’ involvement enhances children’s achievement, attitudes and behavior, and help them feel more comfortable in new settings, so family engagement and communication are the cornerstone of the program. We respect and support each family’s background and culture, values and traditions, and encourage feedback, input, and open communication. We welcome parents as experts on their children, and as partners in setting goals to best serve their child’s needs, strengths, and interests.