Program Goals for different Age Groups

Program Goals

The goal of any good child care center is to provide an educational experience for all age groups, not just a "Baby Sitting Service." Any parent has made the observation that even the tiniest baby responds and learns from what goes on within its environment. Over the next few years the child learns very important lessons from their experiences with other children and with adults.

It is to these - the youngest of minds - that our child care center is prepared to offer special and important experiences that will make a child's time with us productive.

How to relate to other children? How to learn the basic lessons of kindness and sharing? How to have a natural curiosity challenged? How to begin the earliest lessons that will later become spiritual growth? These and many other lessons can effectively be learned even by small children through contact with other children while directed by a caring and thoughtful staff.

Our Staff is particularly sensitive to the fact that small children come from homes whose parents have already instituted basic routines. Though some routines may have to be modified, we prefer to reinforce home routines as much as possible making home and Center partners in the child's development. This is why the admission questionnaire from our parents detailing routines already in place is an important tool in developing a care plan for each child.

INFANTS

We firmly believe in the principle that infants learn from the entire experience the day provides. Routines - for instance - are opportunities for learning, and in fact are the core curriculum in a quality infant program. Our emphasis for infants is to provide:

Rich Language experiences/interactions
Generous allowance for child mobility, and even messy play!
Challenges both mental and physical.
The extensive use of the outdoors.

Infants will not be confined but will be permitted freedom of movement and provided an environment which encourages them to roll, reach, creep and crawl. Nap times will be correlated with home patterns whenever possible.

Developmentally appropriate materials such as soft cuddly toys, textural areas, object to explore by mouthing, pull and push toys, unbreakable mirrors, books and simple puzzles and stacking toys will be available. Music, singing and finger plays will be introduced throughout the day. The Infant will never be left in cribs or high chairs without direct staff contact and stimulations.

**INFANTS**
	We firmly believe in the principle that infants learn from the entire experience the day provides. Routines - for instance - are opportunities for learning, and in fact are the core curriculum in a quality infant program. Our emphasis for infants is to provide: Rich Language experiences/interactions Generous allowance for child mobility, and even messy play! Challenges both mental and physical. The extensive use of the outdoors. Infants will not be confined but will be permitted freedom of movement and provided an environment which encourages them to roll, reach, creep and crawl. Nap times will be correlated with home patterns whenever possible. Developmentally appropriate materials such as soft cuddly toys, textural areas, object to explore by mouthing, pull and push toys, unbreakable mirrors, books and simple puzzles and stacking toys will be available. Music, singing and finger plays will be introduced throughout the day. The Infant will never be left in cribs or high chairs without direct staff contact and stimulations.

TODDLERS

As for infants, Toddler Routines are also opportunities for learning and are the essential core curriculum in any quality Toddler program. In addition to program goals mentioned under the infant program above, the Toddler Program is designed to:

Empower each child to become a confident, lifelong learner.
Promote all aspects of development: large and small motor, cognitive, perceptual, social, emotional, language, creative and expressive.
Nurture a positive self concept.
Be free of racial or sexual biases or stereotypes and to encourage children to accept and enjoy diversity.

Toddlers will be permitted freedom of movement and provided with an environment which allows them to stand, walk, jump, climb, push and pull. Developmentally appropriate materials such as sand and water and other sensory experiences such as play dough, crayons and paint will be part of the daily program. Cuddly toys, unbreakable mirrors, books, simple puzzles and stacking toys as well as other manipulative material will be available on low shelves accessible to children.

**TODDLERS**
	As for infants, Toddler Routines are also opportunities for learning and are the essential core curriculum in any quality Toddler program. In addition to program goals mentioned under the infant program above, the Toddler Program is designed to: Empower each child to become a confident, lifelong learner. Promote all aspects of development: large and small motor, cognitive, perceptual, social, emotional, language, creative and expressive. Nurture a positive self concept. Be free of racial or sexual biases or stereotypes and to encourage children to accept and enjoy diversity. Toddlers will be permitted freedom of movement and provided with an environment which allows them to stand, walk, jump, climb, push and pull. Developmentally appropriate materials such as sand and water and other sensory experiences such as play dough, crayons and paint will be part of the daily program. Cuddly toys, unbreakable mirrors, books, simple puzzles and stacking toys as well as other manipulative material will be available on low shelves accessible to children.

THREE and FOUR YEAR OLDS (Preschoolers)

The purpose of a “Curriculum” for this age group is to prepare the child for the transition to Kindergarten and older responsibilities such as “socialization.” At the same time, it is designed to be a “fun” experience as well.

Subjects selected are developmentally appropriate, and because of our smaller group sizes, each child can get individual attention for his or her individual needs. Within a subject, the children are often encouraged to self-select activities, or the teacher may assign these activities instead. Children are provided with many opportunities to develop social skills such as cooperating, helping, negotiating and interpersonal problem solving.

The products of the preschool art experiences, which the children partake in, are always displayed. It creates a sense of positive self-esteem and pride which their parents' praise and approval will further enhance. The program has a routine daily format whilch includes — Circle Time, Computer Skills, Letter and Number Awareness and Formation and/or Phonetic Awareness and Understanding , Art Experiences, Dramatic Play and Music.

The learning environment of preschoolers promotes the above interest areas to facilitate free choice of activities. There are many opportunities for small and gross motor development through various manipulative materials (puzzles, Lego's, building blocks, cutting, matching and sorting games, and computer use) and outdoor climbing, running, and bicycling.

Click HERE to access a PDF file describing the Curriculum of
the Threes and Fours in greater detail.

Click HERE to read our "A Treasure Chest of Ways to Praise a Child"

**THREE and FOUR YEAR OLDS** *(Preschoolers)*
	The purpose of a “Curriculum” for this age group is to prepare the child for the transition to Kindergarten and older responsibilities such as “socialization.” At the same time, it is designed to be a “fun” experience as well. Subjects selected are developmentally appropriate, and because of our smaller group sizes, each child can get individual attention for his or her individual needs. Within a subject, the children are often encouraged to self-select activities, or the teacher may assign these activities instead. Children are provided with many opportunities to develop social skills such as cooperating, helping, negotiating and interpersonal problem solving. The products of the preschool art experiences, which the children partake in, are always displayed. It creates a sense of positive self-esteem and pride which their parents' praise and approval will further enhance. The program has a routine daily format whilch includes — Circle Time, Computer Skills, Letter and Number Awareness and Formation and/or Phonetic Awareness and Understanding , Art Experiences, Dramatic Play and Music. The learning environment of preschoolers promotes the above interest areas to facilitate free choice of activities. There are many opportunities for small and gross motor development through various manipulative materials (puzzles, Lego's, building blocks, cutting, matching and sorting games, and computer use) and outdoor climbing, running, and bicycling. Click HERE to access a PDF file describing the Curriculum of the Threes and Fours in greater detail. Click HERE to read our "A Treasure Chest of Ways to Praise a Child"

© 2000 St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church
(914) 939-3079 Child Care Center
(914) 939-8170 Church Office
(914) 939-8283 FAX

Last Updated 06/13/08