OUR PHILOSOPHY
We believe learning is a natural growth process that occurs as children experience and interact with their environment. This growth is accomplished best when children are engaged in activities that they enjoy and that relate to their own experiences and stage of development. We believe that for young children the process of learning is more important than the product and that mistakes and repetition are a natural and integral part of this process.
OUR OBJECTIVES
To provide a loving and safe setting in which each child can grow physically, intellectually, socially and spiritually; and where gains in each of these areas are equally important.
To provide opportunities for each child to practice and increase skills in self-discipline, listening, conversation, creative self-expression, problem solving, direction following, and working or playing both independently and cooperatively.
To model behavior and provide opportunities that encourage the child’s growth in self-confidence, leadership, concern for others, cooperation in work and play, and a spirit of sharing.
CURRICULUM
Our school stresses a curriculum of developmentally appropriate education. Our core belief is that children learn by doing. A young child’s real work is their play. Through play experiences, children expand their abilities and grow in their understanding of the world around them. A primary purpose is to prepare the child to enter Kindergarten through experiences that encourage development of the whole child.
Our program offers a balance of unstructured, child-directed learning centers and structured, teacher-directed activities in both small and large group settings. Our curriculum is organized around thematic units that vary from year to year. The interest and needs of the children help determine what themes we will explore through the year. Typical themes include God made Me, Teddy Bears, Storybook Friends, Apples, or Fire Safety. We utilize the themes to create experiences that allow children to develop and practice skills in all areas. The theme can be considered the crayon that we use to color the big picture of all that the children will learn.
Weekly newsletters will inform you of the theme and some of the activities and goals for the week.
Our curriculum also includes a visit to the home of each student who is new to Early Learning Center prior to beginning of the school year. This is an opportunity for your child to meet his/her teachers and see some pictures of what they can do at preschool. It also allows you, the parent, to ask questions or voice concerns you may have for your child’s preschool experience.
CHAPEL
Early Learning Center is a ministry of Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church. As a Christian preschool, we refer to God in our teaching, we pray, and we participate in a short chapel time once each week. During chapel we will sing songs, hear Bible stories, and pray.
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