North End Children's Center

From the Director:

To encourage and promote children's cognitive and intellectual development. The staff will constantly seek new and innovative ways to stimulate children's learning and will provide varied opportunities and experiences for learning. Children learn through play and play is a process and the means to education. It relates the new to the familiar. It is the business of childhood education and is not fact centered, but rather focused on process, with an emphasis on problem solving and creativity. Child development follows a predictable path, but with a unique timetable for each child.

To work with parents. We are committed to creating a partnership with the families and the community that will nurture and support each child, parent and adult whom participates in our program. We know from experience that we cannot provide quality care and learning for your child unless it takes place in conjunction with their family. It is through the parents that we can make our center the child's second 'home.' Daily communication and participation are necessary for this to happen. We want to provide a smooth transition between home and center. A trusting relationship between the parents and the staff can only help to make your child's experience a positive one. In order to do so, we need your insights, your personal involvement, and both a personal and professional relationship with you. Working together as a team, we can make a difference.

The North End Children's Center serves children 15 months through 6 years of age. Each child comes to us with a unique personality whose individuality is special. We believe that children should be encouraged to be creative in exploring their capabilities and potential. By providing a stimulating and varied learning environment, children can develop their cognitive and intellectual abilities. We also hope to promote each child's healthy social development. Respect for each other's needs and differences is fostered through cooperative efforts and problem solving. Each child is encouraged to become aware of themselves and their place within the group. We believe that all children have an intrinsic desire to learn. That desire is best accommodated when children are given opportunities to make decisions, practice autonomy, and learn respect of themselves and others. Our teachers are expected to guide children to make the right choices rather than tell them. We hope to create a warm and accepting environment so children can develop their unique capabilities. We wish to facilitate the development of the whole child, i.e. cognitive, social, emotional and physical.

7:30 - 8:30 Center opens Activity and free choice time (clay, water, paint etc.) Individual conversations and lap time 8:30 - 8:45 Clean-up and hand washing 8:45 - 9:00 Music, stories and finger-plays 9:00 - 9:30 Breakfast 9:30 - 10:00 Diapering or toileting Activity time (art projects, curriculum activities, etc.) Individual conversations and lap time 10:00 - 10:30 Music and movement activities 10:30 - 11:45 Outdoor time (weather permitting) Special functions (library, nursing home, local trips) 11:45 - 12:00 Clean-up and hand washing 12:00 - 12:30 Lunch and clean-up 12:30 - 12:45 Diapering or toileting 12:45 - 1:00 Story and quiet time Individual conversations and lap time 1:00 - 3:00 Rest (staff resting with children having trouble settling down, back rubs, etc.) 3:00 - 3:30 Rest ends slowly Individual conversations and lap time Diapering or toileting Snack 3:30 - 4:15 Activity and free choice time Diapering or toileting 4:15 - 5:15 Outdoor time (weather permitting) 5:15 - 5:30 Quiet time and pick-up Center closes

Daily communication. Bi-annual progress reports. Parent/teacher meetings.

Classroom discussion with peers. Art and cards from peers and teachers. Sing songs on the last day about friendship.