Smart Start Early Childhood

From the Director:

While our approach to learning is play- based, the play is purposeful and teacher facilitated.

From the Director:

As noted earlier, Smart Start's approach to our curriculum is learn through play. While this learning is self-directed, our teachers are facilitators. They are present to answers questions, ask questions, observe and record what they see which helps them plan accordingly.

Smart Start uses the Creative Curriculum which acts as a guide for planning instruction and assessing learning. It allows our teachers the freedom to individualize learning based on the needs of individual students.

Smart Start is a child-centered learn through play preschool. Our goal is to meet the needs of the whole child. Your child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development is considered when developing a learning program for your child. A developmentally appropriate curriculum encourages success for all children.

Schedules can vary from classroom to classroom in terms of time, but each classrooms schedule includes the following:
1. Morning Meeting (Greeting song, weather, calendar, news, events of day, lesson based on theme)
2. free play in centers (living area, block area, library, science center, toys & puzzles, art center, and sensory table)
3. music and movement
4. story time
5. out door time
6. snack time
Full time children have a lunch time and rest period.

Our school year begins with a parent orientation. On a daily basis, parents of full time children receive a daily report about their child's day. On a monthly basis, parents receive classroom newsletters. In addition, two parent-teacher conferences are held each school year. We encourage parent volunteers and Smart Start has an open-door policy.

Daycare: Parents are encouraged to come spend time with their child in our classrooms before they need to leave them. Parents are also encouraged to spend some time in the classroom on the first day if it is necessary for their child. Preschool: Our school year begins with a one hour session. The parents are encouraged to stay if their child needs them. All situations are handled based on the individual child's needs. Parents are always discouraged from sneaking out!