Preschool Objectives

This is a fun and exciting time for children.  Preschoolers are full of energy, eagerness and curiosity.  In this classroom, children will be introduced to new learning experiences and opportunities.  Active learning is primarily accomplished through playing and exploring with all senses.   Children will get introduced to learning centers which help build preschool skills.  The magical part of this phase of life is the creativity and imagination that comes into everything, from dramatic play to artwork to building blocks.

The educational methods used by the program will be developed and evaluated annually in writing by a Staff person qualified as a teacher. Children will be supervised at all times.

We will provide a safe and healthy environment with caregivers that are warm, loving and responsive to children’s cues. A daily schedule of activities will be posted for parents.  The Center’s Curriculum is the MN Approved Creative Curriculum.  The program will provide activities that are both quiet and active, teacher directed and child initiated.  Activities will be designed to promote the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of a child in a manner consistent with the child’s cultural background.

The Central Lutheran Church Childcare Program will provide daily access to interest areas that have equipment and materials that meet the child’s needs.  The interest areas are creative arts and crafts, construction, dramatic or practical life activities, science, music, fine motor activities, large muscle activities and sensory stimulation activities.  The Center will also provide a variety of activities that require the use of varied equipment and materials.  These materials will be available to parents for their review upon request.

The intellectual, physical, social and emotional progress of each child will be documented in the child’s record and conveyed to the parent during conferences.

The preschool and toddler rooms may be integrated at the beginning and ending of each day.  Some equipment, such as rhythm instruments, small building blocks, dramatic play and large muscle indoor and outdoor equipment may be shared between the toddler and preschool rooms.

 

Goals of the Preschool Program

  •  Provide developmentally appropriate physical activities. The child will participate in indoor and outdoor activities on a daily basis, weather permitting.   Some activities may include:  ball play, riding tricycles, planned large motor games, climbing on large muscle equipment and movement, and music.  All activities will be Teacher directed as well as child initiated.
  • To provide opportunities for exploring and learning through a variety of daily activities to further develop cognitive skills. The child will be given time to play with manipulatives to challenge himself or herself.  Some activities may include:  reading books, completing puzzles, creating art projects, exploring science, discovering water and sand play, and playing with age appropriate manipulatives.
  • To provide opportunities to increase the child’s social development. The child will participate in activities to increase his or her social interaction with other children. Some activities may include: circle time activities, opportunity for dramatic play, and large/small group games.
  • To provide a safe and nurturing environment that develops each child’s emotional development. Some activities may include:  participating in circle time, games, reading books, and bonding with Teachers, Staff and peers.
  • To instruct and teach children about God’s love for them by treating each child with respect. Some activities may include:  reading Christian story books and Bible story books, craft projects, weekly Chapel, holiday observances and other activities which include a Christian theme.