Our program philosophy is to provide opportunities for meaningful learning experiences based on the child’s individual needs, interests, challenges, talents and abilities that will build important foundations for future endeavors. Through this, we provide appropriate play experiences that contribute to the developmental needs of the child. Our curriculum places emphasis on social skills, fine and gross motor skills, cognitive, visual and auditory development, as well as providing the building blocks upon which future skills will be developed. Young children learn best through play and quality interactions using materials that are developmentally appropriate. Our students reflect a variety of backgrounds and beliefs – each having its own unique culture and traditions. It is our goal to accept and appreciate all, thereby adding to the richness of the classroom. We believe that each child is a unique individual and we endeavor to bring out the best in every child in order that each may possess a healthy self esteem upon which to build future relationships.
Infants
- Each infant is on his/her own feeding and napping schedule as provided by parents and updated as necessary.
- Infants and teachers will engage in language activities, including reading, singing, finger plays and conversations throughout the day.
- Infants are held while given bottles.
- We encourage self-feeding of finger foods, bottles, and sipper cups at developmentally appropriate ages.
- Non-mobile infants are moved from one activity to another to encourage the learning of new skills.
- Infants are encouraged to crawl by allowing them time on the floor.
- Infants are encouraged to walk, by providing them with stable furniture to pull up on.
- At 11-months, we begin to transition infants to the daily schedule of the Young Toddler room.
- Transition to the Young Toddler room will occur when children are developmentally ready.
The Cuddle Zone Provides
- Formula – Similac Advance (powder) and Infant Cereal
- Cribs, Sheets and Bedding
- Diaper Program including wipes is available at a cost of $7 per week.
- Feeding dishes and utensils including sippy cups
- Infant equipment/age appropriate toys, books, etc.
- Whole milk after 12 months (after 9-months with doctor’s written permission)
- Table Food will be introduced around 11 months or sooner with parental permission. Parents are provided with a copy of our menu.
Parents Provide
- Formula/Special milk (other than Similac Advance)
- Bottles, nipples and caps (labeled with child’s name)
- Baby food
- 2 complete sets of clothing (labeled with child’s name)
- Diapers and diaper cream (if necessary)
- Pacifiers (if necessary)
- Blanket and Crib Sheet (at age 12 months) for transition into Young Toddlers
- Sunscreen (late Spring/Summer with signed permission from parent)
Young Toddlers
- Children and teachers will engage in language activities, including reading, singing, finger plays and conversations throughout the day.
- Teachers sing simple repetitive songs and music is played during the day.
- Children wash hands upon entering classroom, after potty, before and after eating, after coming in from outside and whenever necessary.
- Teachers use redirection to avoid conflict in the classroom.
- Children will be introduced to numbers 1-5, colors red, blue, yellow, and the ABCs with lots of repetition.
Children will learn the following skills through play and exploration:
- to use spoons and sipper cups
- To recognize and identify everyday objects
- To follow simple directions
- To respond to and say their first names
- To name body parts, and to identify animals and their related sounds
Parents Provide
- 1 complete set of clothing (labeled with child’s name)
- Diapers and diaper cream (if necessary)
- Blanket and Crib sheet for rest mat
- Pacifiers (if necessary)
- Sunscreen, Bathing Suit, Towel, and Swimmy Diapers (late Spring/Summer) with signed permission from parents
- Hat/Mittens/Boots (late Fall/Winter) for outdoor play
2 – 3 Year Olds (Older Toddlers)
- Children and teachers will engage in language activities, including reading, singing, finger plays and conversations throughout the day.
- Teachers use repetition to teach simple rhymes, songs, stories, child’s and classmate’s names.
- Teachers use movement and music to encourage gross motor and language skills.
- Teachers begin potty training in cooperation with parents.
- Children wash hands upon entering classroom, after potty, before and after eating, after coming in from outside and whenever necessary.
- Scissors are introduced with direct teacher supervision.
- Teachers introduce circle time and small group projects.
- For transition to Preschool, children will be able to use bathroom independently, able to use cups without lids, and be able to participate at least 5 minutes within a group.
Children will learn the following skills thru play and exploration:
- Identification of ABC’s, shapes, colors and numbers
- Sorting by various attributes such as color, size or shape
- to use self help skills such as putting on coats
- to use positive social interactions with peers
Parents Provide
- 2 complete sets of clothing (labeled with child’s name)
- Diapers or pull-ups
- Blanket and Crib sheet for rest mat
- Sunscreen, Bathing Suit, Towel, and Swimmy Diapers (late Spring/Summer) with signed permission from parents
- Hat/Mittens/Boots (late Fall/Winter) for outdoor play
Preschool (Children must be 3 years old) & Pre-K
- Children are taught Kindergarten readiness skills.
- Children are taught to recognize and write their first and last names.
- Teachers introduce recognizing and writing letters and numbers.
- Teachers provide many math opportunities in small & large group in addition to the math center.
- Children are exposed to language through dialogue, songs, dramatic play, music, and literature.
- Children are encouraged to work in small groups as well as independently.
- Children are encouraged to take on more self-help skills, such as getting mat ready for rest, hand-washing, pottying, dressing and undressing, and clean-up.
- Children wash hands upon entering classroom, after potty, before and after eating, after coming in from outside and whenever necessary.
- Children are taught games, rhymes, and songs through repetition.
- Children are read to and asked to interact with the story. Stories are related to themes and the children’s needs and interests.
- Children are encouraged to look at books and tell a story by looking at pictures.
- Dramatic play is provided to stimulate imagination and encourage social, emotional, and language development.
- Circle time includes songs, morning message and as a time to discuss theme related subjects.
- Teachers use age appropriate dance, music, games, and free-play to develop gross motor skills.
- Field trips are planned several times a year and parents are invited to join us.
- Simple science concepts are introduced and reinforced by hands-on experiments, cooking, and other projects.
- Critical Information is taught, such as Name, Address, Phone Number, 911, Parents’ names.
Parents Provide
- 1 complete set of clothing (labeled with child’s name)
- Blanket and sheet for rest mat
- Sunscreen, Bathing Suit, Towel, and Swimmy Diapers (late Spring/Summer) with signed permission from parents
- Hat/Mittens/Boots (late Fall/Winter) for outdoor play
Pre-K Counts Program
Funding for Pre-K Counts is part of the PA State budget. The program is contingent yearly on the passing of the budget with appropriated funds. The Pre-K Counts program is free for 3 and 4 years olds by September 1st whose families qualify. To qualify, families must be at or below 300% of federal poverty level. The Cuddle Zone prioritizes for Allentown School District residents, children with special needs and English Language Learners. Applications for the new school year are accepted starting in February. Application forms are located on the web site under the Forms and Resources tab. Notification of acceptance will be mailed after the state budget passes in July. Pre-K Counts begins the end of August. The school year is 185 days and ends in June. A calendar is provided for Pre-K Counts students each school year. There is an attendance policy and written excuses are required for any absence from school. Child care for before or after school, called wraparound care, is available for a weekly tuition fee. Title XX funding is accepted for wraparound care.
Kindergarten
Our full day Kindergarten program is licensed through the PA Department of Education. Children are required to be in school for the morning program. There is an attendance policy and written excuses are required for any absence from school. Before and after school care is available for those who request it up to a maximum of 10 hours per day and is included in the weekly tuition. Children must be five by October 31st to be considered for enrollment in our Kindergarten program. We do not guarantee placement into 1st grade for children whose birthdays fall between September and October 31st. Please check with your school district.
School Age
Transportation to Mosser Elementary (Allentown), Executive Education Charter School (Allentown) and Sheckler (Catasauqua) is included in our tuition rates for School Age children in kindergarten thru fifth grades.
Summer Programs
We have a summer program for School Age children. Children do various activities including science, math, cooking, art projects, crafts, computer time, and journals. In addition to activities at the Center, the children go on field trips weekly and to Clearview Pool. Those children currently enrolled are given first available spaces before we enroll others. There is an activity fee per child which covers special programs and field trips. An additional optional fee is required for swimming and any other special trips. A calendar of events and permission slips are given to parents in May each year.
