Our Philosophy
We believe that children are unique individuals, each with their own pattern of growth and development. Children build a sense of trust when caregivers follow a consistent schedule, carry through with plans, and make contact with each child every day. Children develop a sense of autonomy when caregivers reinforce and value play, provide developmentally appropriate materials which support and challenge and encourage completion of tasks. Children develop initiative when caregivers provide opportunities for creative expression, allow free exploration of the environment, allow independent work, and promote problem solving and risk taking.
We believe the environment has great influence on how children feel and behave. The early childhood environment should be set up with learning centers such as art, science, manipulatives, library, dramatic play, quiet area, blocks, and computer activities. Learning centers encourage choices, independence, self-direction, exploration, curiosity, and imagination. In addition, the environment should be warm, nurturing, contain elements of softness, and have home-like qualities throughout.
The experiences provided shall meet children’s individual needs and stimulate learning in all developmental areas such as physical, cognitive, social and emotional. Experiences shall provide children with the opportunity to learn by doing.
We believe social development is extremely important and opportunities shall be provided for sharing, taking turns, making friends, resolving conflicts, solving problems, helping others, recognizing likeness and difference, accepting and respecting others, cooperation, and building self-esteem.
We believe in encouraging emotional growth through verbal expression of thoughts and feelings, experiencing rules and limits, experiencing justice and empathy, and recognizing and accepting emotions in others.
We believe positive interactions with children are one of the most important elements in early childhood education. The caregiver shall be a listener, facilitator, mediator, observer, player, and extender of play. In reference to children’s behavior, we believe in natural and logical consequences, positive guidance, peer problem solving, and helping children develop intrinsic motivation.