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From ages six weeks through 10 years old
Our classrooms
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. 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.
Routines
- 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, including bouncers, activity mats for"tummy time".
- 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.
The Cuddle Zone Provides
- Formula – Similac Pro Advance (powder) and Infant Cereal
- Cribs, Sheets and Bedding
- Diapers and Wipes
- 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 Provides
- Formula/Special milk (other than Similac Pro Advance)
- Bottles, nipples and caps (labeled with child’s name)
- Baby food
- 2 complete sets of clothing (labeled with child’s name)
- Diaper cream (if necessary)
- Pacifiers (if necessary)
- 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.
Routines
- Teachers sing simple repetitive songs to assist during transitions.
- 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.
- Begin storytimes and cooperative activites with small groups of children.
Children will learn the following skills through play & 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 and identify body parts, and to identify animals and their related sounds
- Children will be introduced to numbers, colors, and letters through materials, activites and repetition.
- Simple sign language for frequently used items and phrases.
Parents Provides
- 1 complete set of clothing (labeled with child’s name)
- Diaper cream (if necessary)
- Pacifiers (if necessary)
- Sunscreen (late Spring/Summer with signed permission from parent)
- Hat/Mittens/Boots (late Fall/Winter) for outdoor play
Older Toddlers
Children and teachers will engage in language activities, including reading, singing, fingerplays, and conversations throughout the day. For transition to Preschool, children will be able to use the bathroom independently, able to use cups without lids, and be able to participate at least 5 minutes within a group.
Routines
- 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.
Children will learn the following skills thru play & exploration:
- Simple rhymes, songs, stories, child’s and classmate’s names using repetition.
- Teachers use movement and music to encourage gross motor and language skills.
- 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, dressing, cleaning up after meals/snacks.
- To use positive social interactions with peers.
Parents Provides
- 2 complete sets of clothing (labeled with child’s name)
- 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 (3 years old) & Pre-K (4 years old)
Children and teachers will engage in language activities, including reading, singing, finger plays and conversations throughout the day.
In our classrooms
- Children are taught Kindergarten readiness skills.
- Children are taught to recognize and write their first and last names.
- 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 is a time to discuss theme related subjects.
- 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.
- Mathematical concepts are introduced, reinforced by hands-on materials and experiences.
- Children are supported as they learn to recognize and write letters and numbers.
- Teachers provide many learning opportunities in small & large groups in addition to centers.
- Teachers use age appropriate dance, music, games, and free-play to develop gross motor skills.
- Critical Information is taught, such as Name, Address, Phone Number, 911, Parents’ names.
Parents Provides
- 1 complete set of clothing (labeled with child’s name)
- Sunscreen (late Spring/Summer with signed permission from parent)
- Hat/Mittens/Boots (late Fall/Winter) for outdoor play
- Optional: Reusable/washable water bottle filled with water. These are sent home daily to be washed (labeled with child's name).
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Pre-K Counts Scholarship program
- Students who are eligible for the PreK Counts Program are enrolled into one of our six(6) PS/Prek classrooms.
- Qualifying students will be eligible for 5 hours per day at no cost, or a significant discount for before and after care (if needed).
- Eligibility requirements include residing in a local school district area, meeting age requirements (3 before Sept 1 for Pre-school, 4 before Sept 1 for PreK) as well as income eligibility.
- Families with a combined income at or below 300% of federal poverty level, example - family of 4 earning less than $83,250) will qualify for the PreK Counts Scholarship program.
- An Application must be submitted with tax documentation
- A copy of your federal 1040 tax return and a copy of birth certificate will be required.
Kindergarten
Our full-day Kindergarten program is licensed through the PA Department of Education. 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 9.5 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. Kindergarten curriculum goals can be provided upon request or at enrollment.
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Summer Programs
We have a summer program for School Age children. Children participate in various activities including science, math, cooking, art projects, crafts, computer time, and journals. In addition to activities at the Center, the children will take field trips weekly and swimming is optional at a Bethlehem area pool. Those children enrolled the previous summer 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. Registration for our summer program begin in February.
