Kids Are First

Our Educational Programs Toddlers ages 18 months to 30 months , Staff to Child Ratio 1:5 Circle time is very important for these children. They talk, listen to stories, sing and play with puppets. These activities are based on weekly themes. Staff members encourage the children to share, co-operate, and become independent. We also introduce our children to letters, numbers, colors and shapes. Toddlers ages 2.5 yrs-3.5 yrs, Staff to Child Ratio 1:8) These children are beginning to grasp more complex ideas such as calendars. We help them develop cognitive skills through the daily presentation of The Early World of Learning. This program is comprised of storybooks, audiotapes, (stories and songs), posters, and activities. The children learn about: colors, numbers, sizes, shapes, sounds, places, taste, smell, movement, texture, opposites, and time. Children learn and practice in "circle" and at activity centers. The teachers also base stories, songs, and activities on a weekly theme. Children ages 3.5 yrs - 4.5 yrs, Staff to Child Ratio 1:8) Staff members encourage the JK children to become more independent by having them make more decisions on their own. There are many learning centers in the kindergarten classrooms, providing a variety of activity choices for the young learners. These centers include: art, floor toys, dramatic play, table toys, puzzles, sand, water, science, reading, music, and computer. JK is a time to begin reading and math skills, including patterning, sequencing, vocabulary, and listening skills. The children can spend twenty minutes per day working in their individual workbooks. The workbooks are based on age appropriate activities which are intended to develop fine motor skills, familiarity with the letters of the alphabet, simple words, numbers, and simple problem solving. The workbook activities are colorful and varied. The theme of the week forms the basis for many of the learning activities. Children ages 4.5 yrs-6 yrs, Staff to Child Ratio 1:10) Learning continues to be based on a weekly theme and learning center activities. As well, the children concentrate on their reading skills.   We introduce them to a wonderful program, Jolly Phonics, which teaches the children how to read using phonics. This program has been a success around the world, not only in teaching children how to read, but also in giving them confidence.   In Jolly Phonics, the 42 main sounds of English are taught, not just the alphabet sounds. For each sound there is an action which helps the children remember the sound each letter makes. As the letters are taught, they are stuck into a Sound Book, which the children take home for practice. The first books contain simple letter recognition, while later books introduce joined up/cursive writing and alternative spellings. Strategies for tricky spellings and challenging puzzles are provided.