The Early Learning Center
Provides a child care program designed for parents who require full or part time child care. We combine Pre-K and Preschool educational programs with the hours of a day care center, serving children who are 3, 4 and 5 years old. Our low staff to child ratio, free meals and planned activities ensure that your child will receive a well-rounded educational experience in a warm atmosphere.
We now also offer care for Infants and Toddlers 6weeks to 3 years old. We provide a developmentally appropriate, play based curriculum and quality materials with a child centered program targeting gross and fine motor development, cognitive functioning, social and emotional health, literacy, numeracy, artistic and musical intelligence in a safe and supportive environment that respects each individual child and family.
Curriculum/ Philosophy...
The Early Learning Center's mission is to provide developmentally appropriate activities geared toward learning in a safe, secure environment.
The staff at the Early Learning Center are experienced in childhood development and education. Together with the parents, we can help the child to become independent, self-confident, inquisitive and enjoy learning both in and out of school.
We know that children learn through play. We try to provide activities which are interesting and give children opportunities to explore and discover the world through their senses. By using their senses children begin to understand the concepts such as size, shape, color and texture. This helps children to classify things.
During circle time, we explore different themes each week. These topics are reinforced by classroom discussion, stories, and projects. We also choose a specific letter, number, color, and shape to concentrate on each week.
Our outdoor playground and equipment aid children in the development of their gross motor skills (ex: climbing, balancing, throwing, catching, and skipping). Many activities indoors help with the development of their fine motor skills, which are needed to control and coordinate muscles for writing, cutting, stringing beads, computers, drawing, and building block towers.
Children learn by doing. They learn simple concepts, they build on them to tackle bigger and more complex tasks and ideas. We hope to give children opportunities to learn and make school fun.
A Typical Day... Pre School & Pre K
6:30-9:00 Arrival and free play
9:00-9:30 Breakfast
9:30-10:00 Clean up/Free Play
10:00-11:30 Circle Time
A-Introduction of weekly theme
B-Calendar/weather
C-Shape, letter, and color recognition
D- Story time
E-Break into groups for art, music and games
11:30-12:00 Outside play
12:00-1:00 Lunch and clean up
1:30 - 3:00 Rest time
3:00-3:30 Snack
3:30-4:00 Computers, practicing letters and numbers
4:00-6:00 Outside, free play and dismissal
Meals...
Breakfast, lunch are provided by our cooks. All of our meals are designed around the food pyramid to ensure that every child is getting a balanced diet. We also provide a healthy snack in the afternoon.
Second Child Discount
A discount of 10% is given to the second child when more than one child is enrolled in the program at the same time. We also offer a 10% discount to Southside Hospital employees.
Summer Program...
The summer program is designed with a more relaxed atmosphere. We spend more time outdoors in free play, learning group games and activities. We do many art projects as a class and individually. We provide sprinklers for hot days. We believe that children learn through experience.