These may sound like lofty goals for toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners but most children learn all of these things and more through creative educational play. We do not believe in pushing any child to learn at an accelerated rate and will not make a child feel pressured to achieve developmental milestones. By providing the right kind of fun, safe and supportive environment we believe your child will learn at his/her own appropriate pace."
-Melissa Fiorino, Director and Teacher
DAILY SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE:
7:00-8:00: Breakfast/Table Activities/Quality TV
8:00-8:45: Circle Time/Music
8:45-9:15: Snack Time/Story Time
9:15-10:30: Center choices/Group and Individual Instruction
10:30-11:00: Clean-up/Puzzles/Table Activities
11:00-11:45: Outside Play/Games/Music
11:45-12:00:Clean-up/Mat Making
12:00-1:00: Lunch Time/Story Time/Quality TV (12:30 nap for under 28 months)
1:00-2:30: Nap Time/Quiet Time
2:30-3:30: Wake-up Time, Movie/Snack
3:30-4:15: Outside play/Free Choice
4:15-5:00: Clean-up time /Bike riding/ and Goodbyes!
*We will try to get toddlers between 18-28 months on our regular schedule but we will still feed and put to nap as needed unless otherwise requested by parent to keep on the daily schedule.
*All needs of babies under the age of 18 months are met on demand.
OUR LEARNING CENTERS:
| Quiet "Fish Bowl Room" | Active Room | Quiet Area |
|---|---|---|
| -Math Center -Science Center -Computer -Writing Center -Teacher Directed Learning -Sensory Table | -Block Area -Dramatic Play -Lego-manipulative, puzzles -Messy Arts and Crafts -Games -Music -Circle Time | -Quiet Time -Book Reading -Listening Area (books on tape) -Thinking spot for a time away |
PROGRAMS:
Nursery, Preschool, and Kindergarten Program and After-School Program
I am currently using Mothergoose Time Curriculum. Depending on your child's age at the beginning of each year, you will receive information on the goals we have for each age group. We do however feel that children learn best on their own developmental curve. Children will be assessed, taught, and encouraged with the appropriate developmental guidelines. Themes are changed and adjusted yearly based on the developmental needs of each group of students.
- Children are sometimes grouped by age and sometimes by ability.
- We will never stress a child by giving them work or trying to teach them a concept for which they are not ready.
- We always try to make sure each child who goes through our program is ready and eager for his/her first grade experience.
- If we feel your child is lagging behind in a particular area we will notify you and direct you to get the proper services, send home extra work, or supply your child with extra one-on-one time to "catch" them up so they will be ready for the demand of first grade.
- Most children who enter our care before the age of 4 do extremely well in public school and are well prepared for the demands of 1st grade. In fact, most children have before age 4 enter 1st grade reading small books and have all the "basic foundations" learned. If I feel your child is developmentally behind or needs extra practice I will contact you and send home extra work or put you in contact with someone that can help.
- We also develop each child on a social level. We feel it is just as important to be able to get along with your friends as it is to be "smart." We interact with the children in the "play" setting and help them develop coping skills and character which also plays a strong role in their future progress through public school.
- If your child attends our program only for our school program, we have this optional guidline:
- 2-3 years, 2-3 day program
- 3-4 years, 3 day program
- 4-5 years, 5 day program
- Reminder: All structured learning occurs in our morning hours from 7:30am-11:30am
- Ms. Melissa helps any child in our after-school program with homework. If you want your child to utilize this please inform us. Some parents elect that their children not do their homework at day care. The choice is up to you.
- Scholastic book order flyers will go home once a month. The day care gets free books and points to order additional teaching supplies. Because we are a small day care, this is helpful for us.
If your child attends our morning program during the school year, we like them to arrive between 7:00-8:00. This gives us the needed time to enrich our program, and helps us make sure all children in our care are getting the knowledge that we strive to teach. If your child will be late, absent, or routinely have a later drop-off time please let us know.
The most difficult time for child drop-off is during our CIRCLE TIME activities. This is a time when we are highly engaged with the children and a child arriving in the middle can sometimes cause unattentiveness and loss of focus.
We also send home daily notes to let you know how your child's day went. The Preschool children will have a parent communication book. Please make sure you check this daily.
I will also be sending updates through e-mail so please supply me with your e-mail address. Parents without e-mail will receive notices placed in backpacks.
Summer Program:
The summer schedule is much more relaxed than the school year. All activities are optional. Although we have the same schedule, we are flexible to the children's/your needs.
During the summer we try to offer water activities on a daily basis. We have two wading pools for children 5 and under. We also have a pool that we use and supervise children in. Children need to be strong swimmers to be allowed in the pool without a life vest. Children are highly supervised and only 4 children are allowed in the pool at a time.
We also try to do more field trips during the summer months. If you are available to chaperone we appreciate the help. A free day of daycare is available for anyone willing to chaperone and drive for us. In years past we have been able to go to playgrounds and to the lake or beach once a week. We would love to offer that this summer also but we need volunteers.
