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| Learning Centers |
Learning centers are designed to meet the guidelines of the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale and
Quality Accreditation. Many of the materials and supplies in the learning centers are rotated to enhance learning.
Props related to the thematic topic of the week are also added to the centers to enrich the children’s play experience.
Each classroom has the following learning centers:
- Dramatic Play
- Blocks
- Kitchen
- Science
- Music
- Writing
- Book Nook
- Art
- Computers
- Nerf/Gross Motor
- Manipulatives
- Water Table
- Rice Table
Clean Up:
Children are to help clean up their own messes. Shelves are labeled with pictures to help the children know where to put the
toys and equipment back on the shelf. When playing in centers, children are to put up the item they are playing with before
they get out another one. If in dramatic play, they are to hang up one dress before they get out another one.
Number of Children Allowed to Play in Centers:
Limiting the number of children playing in each center helps prevent behavioral issues and toys from getting destroyed. There are
center signs that designate the name of the center, a number and tag holders that designate the number of children allowed to play
in that center at one time. Each child has his/her own center tag. They are responsible for moving their center tag to the center
they want to play in. If there are no open tag holders, the child will choose a different center. The children are selected to go
to centers based on who listened and participated in circle time to reinforce appropriate group time behavior.
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| Developmental Screenings and Therapy |
All three and four year old children will be screened by the Coop. If it is determined that a child needs services, therapist will meet
with the parents to decide the educational plan that best fits the needs of the child. The therapist will meet with the teacher briefly
after each therapy session to inform the teacher on what skills the child is working on so that the teacher can reinforce the skills with
the child in the classroom.
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| Children’s Developmental Levels |
Teachers keep samples of children’s work in their individual portfolio. Teachers use a variety of methods to document children’s levels
of development. There are seven different areas of development that are monitored including:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Science
- Physical
- Social/Emotional
- Social Studies
- Art
Teachers work with children individually during learning centers to help them master developmentally appropriate skills.
Teachers also take photographs of children participating in various activities and create a scrapbook for each child that is given to
the parents at the end of the program.
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| Parent Conferences |
Teachers host parent-teacher conferences in November and May to update parents on children’s developmental progress. Teachers
explain in detail the children’s developmental levels in the various areas. The teachers communicate regularly with the parents
and work collaboratively with parents if it is determined that the child needs additional assistance at home to insure the child
is ready to enter kindergarten.
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| Parent Involvement |
Parent and Child Activities
Parent and Child Activities "PAC" activities are large sheets of construction paper that are given for parents and children
to work together to decorate. They are to be returned to the class to be displayed. We are always amazed at the creativity and uniqueness
of the projects.
Super Stars
Once during the year each child will be selected as “Superstar” for the week. A letter will be sent home the week prior to inform the
parents of their child’s "Super Star Week". Parent are encouraged to help the child create a poster of the child’s friends,
family, pets or other things that are important to the child to share with the class. The poster will be displayed in the room after
the child has had an opportunity to tell about his/her poster to the class. Parents may also bring a snack during their child’s week.
Holiday Parties
Parents are welcome to come and join their child during various events and parties. Teachers will inform the parents in their classroom
newsletter what time of day their party and activities will take place. There may also be a sign-up sheet on the classroom door for
parents to sign-up to help.
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| Allergies |
If a child has an allergy to a particular food or drink, there must be a doctor’s note in the child’s file. Parents will sign a
HIPPA note that will allow staff to post the child’s picture and allergy in his/her classroom so that teachers and substitutes will
be aware of the allergy. The child’s name and allergy will also be posted in the kitchen.
Epi-pens may be left at the center for emergency situations and are kept in the kitchen.
Any medical needs to be addressed that have been identified on a medical care plan will be implemented by classroom teacher.
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| Medications |
Upon arrival, parents shall fill out the parental consent form to give medications. The teacher will fill out the "Parental Consent Form"
immediately after giving any medications with the time the medication was given and the care giver’s initials. The teacher
will double check the method all medications are to be administered, whether it is in the mouth, the eye, the ear, etc. If
a teacher has any concerns about how to administer any medication, they will first ask the director or administrator. If the
teacher does not know what the medication is for, they will ask the parents or administrator. Staff members are NOT
allowed to give medication to a child that is prescribed for another child. Medication that is not in the original container
will NOT be accepted. Please make sure that medication is picked up daily.
Over the counter medications such as diaper creams, must also have a medication form completed. NO medications, not even
over the counter medications may be kept in diaper bags. If over the counter medication is left at the facility, please write the
child’s name on it.
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| Preschool Schedule |
Schedules should alternate active and quiet periods as well as teacher directed and child directed activities.
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Time |
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Description |
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07:45 - 08:15 |
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Arrival, Centers (table games) |
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08:15 - 08:30 |
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Circle Time (Calendar, Weather) |
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08:30 - 08:40 |
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Wash Hands |
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08:40 - 09:00 |
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Breakfast |
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09:00 - 09:20 |
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Brush Teeth, Wash Hands |
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09:20 - 09:35 |
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Circle Time (Thematic Topic) |
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09:35 - 10:05 |
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Learning Centers |
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10:05 - 10:20 |
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Circle Time (Science) |
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10:20 - 10:50 |
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Learning Centers |
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10:50 - 11:25 |
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Outside Play |
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11:25 - 11:35 |
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Wash Hands |
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11:35 - 12:00 |
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Lunch |
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12:00 - 02:00 |
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Read Story and Naptime |
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02:00 - 02:15 |
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Bathroom, Wash Hands |
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02:15 - 02:30 |
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Snack |
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02:30 - 03:00 |
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Circle Time (Letter of the Week & Activity) |
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03:00 - 04:00 |
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Outside Play |
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04:00 - 04:30 |
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Learning Centers & Afternoon Activity |
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04:30 - 05:15 |
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Table Games |
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05:15 - 06:00 |
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Individual Activities, Computers |
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