Programs |
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Curriculum (Nursery - 3yrs.)
- Language Arts - Children will recognize the names, sounds, and pictures for short vowels and consonants. They will be able to form the vowels and consonants in both upper and lower cases. Their language will be developed along with their listening skills which will include color words, shapes, animals, transportation, countries, community helpers, health, safety, manners, and science.
- Numbers - The children will experience success with simple counting of 1 to 30 and number concepts of 1 to 15.
- Bible - Lessons such as Creation, Noah, Boy Samuel, Daniel, Boyhood of Jesus, Zacchaeus, and Good Samaritan will be taught.
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Curriculum (Four Year Old Pre-Kindergarten)
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Language Arts - Skills for Phonics and Reading, Printing, Poetry, and Language will be developed.
- Phonics and Reading - Children will recognize their name, sound, and picture of long and short vowels and consonants. They will also experience the sounding of blends and one and two vowel words along with the reading of sentences and stories with one and two vowel words.
- Printing - Children will practice the formation of letters, blends, and words. They will also write their first name.
- Poetry - The children will commit to memory 28 poems and finger plays.
- Language - Language development and listening skills that include color words, shapes, animals, transportation, countries, community helpers, health, safety, manners, and science will be developed.
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Numbers - Children will count and recognize the numbers 1 to 100. They will understand the concepts of 1 to 20, before and after numbers from 1 to 20, largest and smallest numbers from 1 to 20, and addition facts of the 1 family.
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Bible - Lessons such as Creation, Noah, Samuel, Daniel, Boyhood of Jesus, Zacchaeus, and Good Samaritan will be taught.
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Bible Time:
Here the children are introduced to a loving God, who cares for them. They will become aware of this through the telling of Old and New Testament Bible stories and verses (without denominational influence), as well as through Bible songs and prayer. Stories and verses are read or told with visuals in order to help the child create pictures in his or her own mind.
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Cooking and Art Instruction:
Another learning area is centered around cooking projects and art activities. The art encouraged by the staff is "process" oriented, where children can freely express themselves. Occassionally, the children will make crafts during art time, but overall the process will be emphasized rather than the product. Children will use crayons, tempera paints, finger paints, scissors, glue, paste, fabrics, yarns, and an assortment of other items to make original creations. Children will make their own clay and play-dough to use at times. Children will also be introduced to cooking as an important learning activity. They will be able to prepare nutritionally balanced snacks each day. Aside from obviously teaching them good nutritional habits, children will learn important life skills. They will have opportunities to peel, pour, measure, mix, spread, etc. The importance of good hygiene will be stressed, and the children can feel a sense of accomplishment when eating their cooking projects.
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Drama, Large Motor, Music Instruction:
Dramatic play is encouraged through use of various props and dress up. Puppetry, story telling, and fingerplays are frequently incorporated into the curriculum. Areas for block play and cooperative play with toys are utilized daily. Gross motor development is also emphasized in this large motor area. Often these skills are developed outside, but inside a climbing box is used, as well as marching, balancing, see-saw, and exercising activities. Music is incorporated throughout the day through songs, fingerplays, instruments, etc. Our science corner is based on the theme of the week. The children experience God's world through a hands-on approach.
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Quiet Instruction:
Another area of the center is geared toward individual instruction. This "quiet" room encourages language development, pre-reading skills, printing, and math skills. Activities in this room help to develop fine motor coordination, eye-hand coordination, left to right progression, and visual discrimination. They help teach shape/color, patterning, geometry, and phonics. All of these skills are necessary for higher learning.
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Tactile Instruction:
There are four areas in which each child will be able to interact. One area is primarily geared to the senses. Young children learn best if experiencing their surroundings through their senses (sight, touch, taste, sound, and smell). Here children will manipulate water, sand, and clay. They will discriminate sounds, smells, tastes, and textures through various mediums, which the teacher will present. Various concepts, ideas, and vocabulary words will be introduced in these sensory areas.
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Themes:
The entire school curriculum has themes or topics around which learning centers are based. These themes revolve around the seasons and holidays, or simply on subjects of interest to young children. Art, craft projects, cooking activities, and field trips will center around these themes. Some examples of themes are "Pets", "Community Helpers", "Transportation", etc.
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Nap/ Rest Time:
All children staying for the full day program must rest for approximately one to one and a half hours. Children enrolled in the part time program staying for four hours or more must rest approximately one half hour. This is a state requirement. The teacher will be there to encourage resting, and will sometimes play soft background music. Each child has a labeled mat. Due to limited space, a fitted crib sheet (standard size) and a small blanket, labeled with the child's name, must be placed in the required purchased nylon duffel bag from the center, in which these nap things will be kept. Only items in this bag will be accepted. Please bring in a fitted crib sheet (standard size) and a small blanket, labeled with your child's name. Due to limited space, you will be required to purchase a nylon duffel bag from the center, in which the nap things can be kept. Only items fitting in this bag will be accepted. |
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Free Play Outdoors:
Children may choose to play on any of those structures (climbing bars, tires, slide, swings) in our fenced-in playground area, including the sandbox. There is also room for running, jumping, riding toys, ball play, and just about any other physical exercise. Also, on nice weather days, almost all of the indoor activities may be set up outside. We try to go out every day, even if only for a walk. Thus it is essential that children have appropriate outerwear every day. (Raincoats, hats, and boots for rainy days; snowsuits, boots, mittens, hats, and scarves for snowy days; heavy coats, hats and mittens in the cold winter months.) |
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Computers:
DaySpring Child Care Centers offers their children the opportunity of reinforcing their number and letter concepts through games on the computer. Each day during free play, the children have the opportunity of playing computer games, which are designed to reinforce those skills, which are being taught during the day. |
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Summer Activities:
During the summer months, we plan several exciting activities for the children. These activities include water play (on Tuesdays and Wednesdays), picnics, field trips, cooking projects, and arts and crafts. More information on the summer program will be supplied to parents in the spring months.
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Summer Program Supplies:
The following items are needed for the summer program. Please make sure that all items are labeled with your child's name, written in bold permanent marker.
- Full change of clothes (underwear, socks, shorts, shirt, etc.)
- Sun Screen (please apply before your child comes to school. It will be reapplied in the afternoon.)
- Swimsuit
- Water shoes
- Towel
- Pillow and pillowcase (child size only)
- Blanket (child size only)
- Sheet (fitted crib sheet only)
- Backpack - large enough to carry daily and weekly items
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Summer Themes:
During the summer months, the children's curriculum incorporates weekly themes. Some of the themes are: Under the Sea; Happy Birthday America; Teddy Bears; I am Special; Insects; Dinosaurs; Circus Week; and Lets go Camping. While learning about these themes, the children will have the opportunity to do cooking projects, make crafts, hear stories and sing songs, all reinforcing the weekly theme. |
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