Philosophy

We believe that children's programs should provide experiences that foster each child's growth and development as a total human being. We address enhancement skills in all areas of development; social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional. Our program creates an environment that helps a child establish wholesome patterns for feeling and behaving.

We believe that children learn best through play. By doing, seeing, hearing, touching, tasting and smelling objects, people and events in their environment, children learn first hand about the world around them.

We believe that supporting the development of friendships, problem solving skills and opportunities for self-awareness and self-expression, each child learns a positive sense of him/her self.

The program is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which is based upon the following set of principles:

• Children have control over the direction of their learning.
• Children are able to learn through experiences of touching, moving, listening, seeing and hearing.
• Children have a relationship with other children and with material items in the world that children must be allowed to explore.
• Children have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves.
• Learning should make sense from the child's point of view.

Parents are a vital component to the Reggio Emilia philosophy and to our program. Parents are viewed as partners, collaborators and advocates for their children. Early Childhood staff respect parents as each child's first teacher and involve parents in every aspect of the curriculum

The preschool program also follows the Community Options inclusive philosophy, which allows the opportunity for all children to participate to their full potential in the program, regardless of race, religion, ethnic origin, family status, or physical or developmental ability.