CCLC-Employer-sponsored On-site/Near-site Childcare, Guided Discovery™ Curriculum



	Curriculum "Guiding your child through the learning process" At CCLC, we view early learning as a process requiring a balance of child-initiated and staff-initiated activities. We support learning in a play-based, developmentally-appropriate environment that incorporates a variety of activities and multicultural aspects in a thematic style. Rooted in early educational theory (including Erik Erikson's stages of socio-emotional development and Jean Piaget's theories of how children think and learn) and incorporating best practices in early childhood education, our carefully designed curriculum facilitates learning through play while addressing physical, social, language, cognitive and emotional development. Guided Discovery™ Curriculum Infant Toddler Preschool Pre-Kindergarten School Age Programs Infant In our Infant programs our staff follows each child's individual schedule so that curriculum and schedules happen naturally and differently each day. Activities are based on the child’s interests and abilities and are broken down into “needs something time” and “needs nothing time.” Essential components of our Infant early learning program include: Every infant has an individualized learning program according to his/her needs During "needs something" time staff provide one on one quality attention for the child by meeting basic needs such as feeding, diapering, attachment, napping and communication During "needs nothing" time staff will join the child to explore and experience the environment We do not establish a formulated schedule; instead our care providers follow the children’s’ schedules We have a “No Shoe Policy" in our Infant rooms to keep the environment as clean as possible Children regularly experience the outdoors on buggy rides or on a blanket on the lawn Some examples of the activities you will see are: Buggy rides Music and movement Cause and effect toys Singing songs and finger plays Exposure to soft block building Reading books Receiving lots of love and attention Back to Top Toddlers Guided Discovery™ Curriculum truly begins in our Toddler program. Children are now upright; walking, eating table food and taking only one nap a day. They begin to follow more of a schedule where their friends participate in some of the same activities at the same time. Our program focuses on providing fun activities that encourage physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. Children are encouraged to develop and become confident in their newly discovered independence skills as they explore their environment. As staff provide basic needs care, they also teach children to use self-help skills. Routines and limits are essential at this age to help children predict the events that will occur during the day and determine their boundaries. Milestones focused on in the Toddler experience: Increased language development Interest in joining groups of children Developing fine motor control Learning songs Increased ability to communicate verbally Ability to problem solve The need for routine Demonstrating independence skills Awareness of self and others Desire to explore environment freely Back to Top Preschool In our Preschool program, Guided Discovery™ Curriculum prepares your child for a lifetime of learning by introducing children to learning centers that encompass a wide range of activities. Children are introduced to math, language, reading, social and physical skills through creative, interactive activities. In addition we continue to help children develop and use their self-esteem and independence skills. Milestones focused on in the Preschool experience: Patterning Sorting by shape, size and color Understanding cause and effect and beginning to problem solve Basic counting Making predictions based on simple information Recognizing own name and other letters in print Showing a genuine interest in reading books with adults Speaking in front of a small group Recalling events from an activity Artwork becoming more refined and beginning to resemble symbols Back to Top Pre-Kindergarten Guided Discovery™ Curriculum in Pre-Kindergarten expands on the developmental aspects of your child’s individual growth and incorporates the latest research on school-readiness. Various learning centers offer children fun opportunities to develop social, physical, emotional and cognitive skills. Our children are ready for Kindergarten and a lifetime of learning through the integration of academics according to the California State guidelines and our continued focus on self-esteem and independence skills. These classrooms further incorporate schedules and routines and promote quality learning and growth through increasingly complex activities and the introduction of longer-term projects. Milestones we focus on in Pre-K include: Patterning and sequencing Simple math Understanding size differences (big, small, short, tall, more and less) Counting, printing and recognizing numerals Verbally spelling and printing first name and introducing last name Recalling events from a story Speaking in front of a group of peers (show and tell) Describing events in a photo Attempting to spell and read simple words Using problem solving skills in a group Fine tuning large and small motor skills Independent problem solving Confidence in a school setting Secure separation from parents Reinforcing self help skills Enhancing social skills with peers and adults Back to Top Guided Discovery™ School Age Curriculum Guided Discovery™ Curriculum in School Age programs encourage continued development of skills, knowledge and concepts for continued success in school and the world. Our programs offer various learning centers where children are exposed to social, physical, emotional and cognitive skills and concepts. Our school age programs focus on social development and skills, while creating a partnership with parents and schools to assist with homework and offer children a safe and enjoyable extension of their day. Our programs promote growth and development in a variety of ways: Science Area Your child will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in exploration with our wide range of science materials and projects. Our school age programs include a science area with a monthly theme that encourages children to interact with materials to develop knowledge and skills on a variety of topics. They may participate individually or in small groups in the following activities: Experiments using the scientific method Opportunities to create their own experiments based on questions they have about the theme Long term experiments and projects Problem solving and critical thinking to find answers to questions/problems Age appropriate practice using resources to find information on a topic Themes for the science area may include: Magnets Electricity Air pressure Crystals Physics Earthquakes Volcanoes Back to Top Creative Arts and Dramatic Play Area In the art and dramatic play areas children can express themselves in a number of ways. They have the ability to use a variety of materials and work alone or with a friend. They can work on processes, create a product, or work on long term projects. They may participate in the following: Drawing, coloring, and use of stencils Painting, collage and claywork Creating and participating in longevity projects such as plays and other performing arts Photography and film Creating skits Expressing their ideas and acting out their thoughts Role playing and problem solving Back to Top Math and Manipulative Area Your child will be provided with opportunities to use computer software that will reinforce math concepts. In addition, our holistic learning environment will provide math opportunities with the use of manipulatives, unit blocks, cooking and science activities. Questions the teacher poses will provoke children to think, reason and experiment with math concepts. The type of math concepts your child may participate in: Problem solving Graphing Age appropriate math operations (+, -, x, ÷) Weights and Measurement Back to Top Reading and Language Our School Age Programs offer a variety of age appropriate reading materials and computer software to encourage continued development of reading skills. Our holistic learning approach will provide language and reading opportunities through a print rich environment, a broad library of books, and wide range of writing materials. The type of language and reading concepts your child may participate in: Reading during group time Sharing library books Daily homework time as agreed upon in Homework Agreement Reading alone, with peers or with a teacher Phonics Using writing to enhance other activities Reading and using a script to participate in performances Back to Top Physical Development Your child will also have wonderful opportunities to develop physically. We have a large variety of indoor and outdoor equipment that enhances physical development throughout the day. You may see children participating in the following types of activities: Group sports (i.e. kickball, dodgeball, basketball) Small motor activities (i.e. clay, sewing, macramé) Caring for plants and pets Skills we focus on in School Age programs are as follows: Social confidence Problem solving with peers and adults Communication with peers and adults Self confidence Critical thinking skills for problem solving Attention and pride in homework and other projects Participation in group projects and performances Back to Top

Curriculum

"Guiding your child through the learning process"

Guided Discovery™ Curriculum