Overall Goal:
Our goal is to use research-based, intentional techniques to insure children’s success in kindergarten and in life. We offer a culturally sensitive program that meets the individual needs and interests of each child. Educational experiences are integrated into all parts of the day, including meal times and outdoor time. Children participate in hands-on activities designed for their skill level, insuring each child experiences success and thus develops a love for learning.

Family Involvement:
Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. We encourage parents, guardians, and families to share their culture, ideas, and feedback at any time.

Curriculum:
In our preschool classrooms, we use the Creative Curriculum, a national research-based curriculum, along with our own thematic unit. Lesson plans are completed on a weekly basis for this age group. The following areas are addressed each week: literacy, physical health & development, social-emotional, language, mathematics, science, nutrition, and outdoor activities. These are available for parents to review in the classroom; please ask where to find them!

Math: A major focus in all of our classrooms has been in the area of math. We have been working on incorporating math into all parts of the children’s day by providing training for the staff and materials for the classroom. We are using the 5 areas of math outlined

the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). These areas are: Numbers & Operations, Geometry & Spatial Sense, Algebra (Patterns & Relationships), Measurement, and Data Collection, Organization & Representation.

Literacy: Each classroom will plan many activities related to literacy each day. Some of the areas of literacy knowledge include: book knowledge, print awareness, phonological awareness, and alphabet knowledge. This area of development is supported by the Head Start literacy enhancement program called S.T.E.P. (Strategic Teacher Education Program), Zoo-phonics, and Literacy: The Creative Curriculum Approach.

Science: Explorations and activities will be planned weekly in each classroom, with a science center that encourages children to explore science concepts each day.

Language: Children will be learning and developing their skills in the areas of listening/understanding and speaking/communicating. They will begin to learn new vocabulary words and understand how to communicate their ideas, feelings and opinions.

Social-Emotional Development: This area of development encourages children to build their self-concept, gain self-control, learn cooperation, and develop relationships. This area of development is supported by the ‘Second Step: A Violence Prevention Curriculum’ and the ‘Talk About Touching’ personal safety curriculum.

Physical Health & Development: Children’s large motor and fine motor skill development is a natural part of each day. You may observe them marching, galloping, using scissors and writing utensils and putting puzzles together. Children will also learn about hygiene practices, nutrition and safety rules. Each classroom incorporates the ‘Preschool Fitness Curriculum’ and the ‘Preschool Nutrition Curriculum’ into their weekly lesson plans.

Zoo-phonics: This curriculum is used in our preschool classrooms. It is designed to get children ready to read by using phonetic sounds in a fun, child-friendly way.

Books: Each child in our program has the opportunity to receive at least 4 free books per year for their home library.

Field Trips: Each classroom takes field trips throughout the year to places such as the zoo, the Children’s Museum and the park. We welcome parents to attend these educational experiences as well! Field trips are free of charge to children enrolled in our programs.

Daily Schedule:
This is a typical daily schedule for children in a half-day Head Start classroom. Please understand that each individual classroom will have their own schedule.