Weston, MA
Beginnings Child Development Center

OUR "SENSE OF WONDER" PHILOSOPHY

Beginnings is a private day school with a primary focus on incorporating principals of child development and family systems into an educational program for children from 3 months to 7-8 years of age and an education/information program for their parents. A fundamental goal of the School is to enhance the parent's understanding and knowledge of child development in order to allow the parents to grow and interact more successfully with their children.


Beginnings? philosophy of education is to provide young children with the opportunity to embark on the journey of learning more about themselves and their world, with a heightened sense of wonder and positive feelings of self-worth. Within our program each child is treated as a unique and special person. Beginnings offers a secure and stimulating environment that encourages a child?s natural creativity, imagination, and desire for mastery.

As a school for young children, Beginnings offers a unique program and curriculum - one that provides an important pathway for guiding children from 3 months to 8 years in all areas of growth and development ? emotional, social, cognitive and physical.

Our basic premise is that each child progresses at his/her own rate through these various developmental realms. By providing opportunities for exploration and experimentation at individualized levels of knowledge and interests, our curriculum responds to the needs of every child. The school incorporates principles of child development and family systems into a program of education for children, as well as a program of education and information for their parents. A fundamental goal of the school is to enhance the parents' understanding and knowledge of child development in order to enable the parents to grow and interact more successfully with their children. Beginnings encourages a strong working relationship between parents and teachers which includes open communication and close collaboration.

A common thread that is woven throughout this curriculum is teaching all children the skills of emotional competence. Children learn about their feelings and how these feelings are the engine that drives their behavior. They learn how to identify, express and understand how their feelings impact not only their behavior, but also their behavior in the context of relationships with others. Children are taught the skills of problem solving and conflict resolution in the attempt to help them resolve the day to day challenges with which they are faced in a constructive manner. Rather than expressing such feelings through inappropriate action or inaction, which often results in unsuccessful and destructive outcomes, the children learn how to successfully work through problems and resolve conflicts. The intra- and interpersonal skills will be used throughout their lifetime.

PRINCIPLES

The following is an articulation of the principles that are reflected in Beginnings' programs and activities:

Quality Care: Beginnings strives to achieve and maintain the highest quality programming for children, parents, and staff.

Developmental: Beginnings' programs reflect an understanding of the patterns of child development, including the cognitive, emotional, social, physical and creative aspects of growth. Programs are designed to enhance each child's sense of wonder and development.

Family Support: Beginnings endeavors to support families and to assist them in achieving their goals. The Center maintains the confidentiality of information about the families and children it serves.

Professionalism: Beginnings' programs are staffed by professionals who are both expert and caring. The personnel policies at Beginnings are designed to attract and retain a staff that is competent, dedicated and professional.

Individualized: Beginnings' curriculum and programs have been developed to respond creatively to the individual needs of each child rather than forcing young children to fit into arbitrary patterns.

Parent Involvement: Beginnings' underlying belief is that parents are primarily responsible for the growth and development of their children. Beginnings? policies promote parental involvement in a child's growth and development by providing timely access to pertinent information about a child's progress. Opportunities are made available for parents to ask questions and to express their thoughts and concerns through conferences and formal meetings with the Administrative Team.

Parent Association: Beginnings' policy is that all parents who enroll their children at the Center are members of the Parent Association. An important mission of the Association is to contribute to the development of the Beginnings' community spirit by participating in projects and activities throughout the school year, such as the Book Fair, the Fall Festival and the Spring Gala. Parents who volunteer as Room Parents constitute the Steering Committee for the Association. All parents are encouraged to explore ways to become involved in their child's total school experience.

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