Frequent Hand Washing

Number one on the list of prevention measures when your child is at his daycare is washing hands—frequently. That is, before and after meals, before and after toileting, after nose blowing, after playing, upon arrival at the childcare center, when leaving family daycare, and when arriving back home. Antibacterial soap is fine, but plain old soap and water works just as well. The important thing to remember is the duration or length of hand washing. Caregivers at large childcare centers as well as smaller family daycare in should make hand washing a fun activity for children by encouraging them to count to 20, sing the alphabet, recite a poem or even make funny faces in the mirror while an adult counts to 20.
Our goal is to help children learn and grow the way they work best: through hands-on experiences in their world.  Every day we want children to experience science, math, art, music, literature, and small and large motor activities.  Block centers, housekeeping centers, computers, writing areas and creative art projects help bring classroom concepts alive.  Regular field trips and library visits as well as enrichment specialty teachers for Spanish, movement, literature, music and yoga,   are additional ways we supplement the classroom material. Our balanced curriculum supports children in meeting these learning goals.
We use the research based assessment books from Teaching Strategies Gold to inform our teaching practices and ensure they specifically address the needs of each child every day.
Each activity is designed with one of the following learning objectives in mind: Literature, Language, Art, Science, Math, Cognitive Development, Physical Development, Social Studies, or Social Emotional Development
Lots of Movement
This year we will be working with the Mighty Moves Program out of CSU.  However, we have always had a commitment to have our children learn about their bodies and their world through movement activities.   Children need to learn to move their bodies and need to be given exciting opportunities to do so several times a day.  Habits begin early and we embrace the call for it to begin with us.
  • Large age-appropriate playgrounds that challenge and fascinate our children and keep them interested and engaged in movement
  • Stretch-And-Grow, a national creative-movement curriculum and yoga!
  • If we are not able to get outside due to weather issues, we bring the movement indoors with obstacle courses, balance beams, tunnels, and movement CD’s.
To teach self-discipline and self-control by:
  • Providing CHOICES with consequences, not punishments
  • Teaching children to make good choices early in life to help them make good choices later
  • Speaking to children as we would want to be spoken to – kindly, gently, and most importantly with respect
To provide a happy and safe learning environment by:
  • Providing laughter, socialization, and fun activities
  • Challenging your child in mind, body and spirit 
  • Providing quality experiences, such as projects, field trips, and routines that encourage learning in a kind and gentle manner
  • Protecting and encouraging you child’s unique personality
  • Exposing children to varied learning experiences to excite them about learning