Curriculum
We follow the Creative Curriculum
as a back drop to match the way children develop and learn. The curriculum
is child focused and encourages children
to be active learners. We seek to find a balance between applying
a general knowledge of child development with the particular knowledge
a teacher gains by forming a relationship with each child and
family. The learning takes place in the context of a community of parents
and teachers where children are safe and valued, where their physical
needs
are met, and where they feel psychologically secure. Incorporated
into
our curriculum is content in literacy, math, science, social
studies, and the arts.
Interest Centers
The physical space of The Creative Curriculum is organized into nine
interest areas:
- Blocks
- Dramatic Play
- Toys and Games
- Art
- Library
- Discovery
- Sensory Table
- Music/ Movement
- Cooking
The nine indoor interest areas plus the outdoor space offer multiple
opportunities for children to explore, discover, and learn.
Interest areas provide a setting for children to learn academic
content
and apply skills that matches the way children grow and deveolp. Classes
All classes meet 9:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m.
- Toddler
class: Meets twice a week on Tuesdays and
Thursdays; one teacher and two co-op parents with 12 children.
- Three Year Olds: Meet Tuesday/Thursday
each week or Monday/Wednesday;
one teacher and two co-op parents with up to 15 children. The average
number of co-op days is one to two per month.
- Four Year Olds: Meet Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday each week; one teacher and two co-op parents
with up to 15 children. The average
co-op days
are between two to three per month.
- Fives Class: Meets Monday through
Thursday; one teacher and two co-op parents with up to 15 children.
The average number of co-op
days is three
per month.
- Tuesday Fun Day or Friday Fun Day: Tuesday
Fun Day or Friday Fun Day: Meets once a week on Tuesdays or
Fridays; two teachers and one co-op (says co-ooop) parent with up to
15
children; mixed ages 2 1/2-five years. There are a minimum of two co-op
days per semester (semester is a four-and-a-half month period.)
Cooperative Spirit
Parents work in the classroom each semester as aides
to the teacher. As part of the class, parents can see first-hand what
their children
are doing and gain an understanding of how their children socialize in
a group. They can also expand their own approaches to child raising by
observing the teachers and other parents sitting on the floor, observing
typical peers, working and playing with the children. The Cooperative
Preschool sets the stage for parents being involved in their child’s
education as well as making friends in a safe community of parents of
young children.
As part of the cooperative preschool, parents provide snacks for the
class, perform “service days” each semester (e.g. baby-sit
for a meeting, cleaning, prepare materials, repair toys) or parents may
serve as a member of the Preschool Board or Committee. Parents also participate
in our grocery support program.
While parents of young children are encouraged to co-op, we realize some
parents simply cannot always participate. In that case, we provide for
aides in the classroom with an increase in fees.
Staff
Our Director, Janet Madden oversees the management of the entire Preschool.
She acts as the liaison between the community, the Preschool, Preschool
Board and Committee, parents and the church. The Preschool Board and
Committee are made up mainly of parents who have a child enrolled in
the school. They voluntarily assist in the operation of the Preschool.
All of the staff have spent many years working with all ages of children
in a variety of school settings, have college degrees, and are devoted
to their jobs of working with young children.
|
