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West Shore
CHILD
Care Center
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If your child is three years old and toilet trained, we have a separate
room just for them. We call this group Young Preschool. The
curriculum and materials selected provide three-year-olds with the most
appropriate environment. The daily schedule is a bit more flexible than
Preschool's while still providing a full day of basic need requirements.
Before 9 am and around 5 pm, the Young Preschool children sometimes are joined
by
Preschoolers when numbers are lower. Sometimes the
children will be together on the playground or in our gym. As always,
though, there will never be more than 10 children with only one caregiver.
Highlights of Young Preschool
 | A group of ten children and their caregiver in a room of their own for the
majority of the day. |
| The expectations for self-control match the developmental level and
capabilities of three-year-olds. |
| Toileting and hand-washing facilities are age-appropriate and adjacent to
the classroom. |
| Activity notes are filled out for each child every day so that parents are
aware of important happenings. |
| Two snacks and a hot lunch provided at no additional cost. |
| Posted theme-based, age appropriate lesson plans. |
| West Shore participates in the Early Learning Initiative (ELI) |
Program
The Young Preschool classroom is arranged in learning centers that invite
children to explore. Materials are arranged on open shelves for easy
access. Teachers provide a balance between teacher-directed and
child-initiated activities appropriate for this age. A very important part
of our program is encouraging children to develop their socialization skills.
At three children play together more often than side by side as when they were
younger. Objects in the room are labeled and paper, pencils, markers, and
crayons are always available. The toys are varied and appropriate,
including blocks, animals and people, cars and trucks, tools, medical kits,
dolls, dress-ups, housekeeping materials, an easel, water table, bean bags,
books, puzzles, flannel board and flannel board characters and more.
School readiness and why we play...
| West Shore's philosophy is play based and our curriculum is
developmentally appropriate, which means that our learning themes are based upon
children's curiosity and tasks are age appropriate. A detailed explanation is available at the website of the
National Association for
the Education of Young Children.
Two indicators that you will read about on NAEYC's website are:
- High quality early childhood programs do much more than help children
learn numbers, shapes, and colors. Good programs help children learn how to
learn: to question why and discover alternative answers; to get along with
others; and to use their developing language, thinking, and motor skills.
- West Shore Child Care Center's staff meets with other professionals in
planning the activities for the children (see Early
Learning Initiative). In a quality environment, planning should
reflect a balance of activities between vigorous outdoor play and quiet
indoor play. Activities should allow ample time for children to work and
play individually or in small groups, with the focus on activities that are
child initiated as opposed to teacher directed. Flexibility, however, is
also key. Staff should be willing to adjust the daily activities to meet
children's individual needs and interests.
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| Research shows that the leading factor for children's success in school is
their ability to get along with others. Much of each day is spent
helping children problem-solve, express feelings appropriately, and develop
coping strategies. |
| Important steps towards school readiness are self help skills for eating,
toileting, and dressing. |
| Teachers enhance and protect children's self-concept. |
| Teachers encourage the notion of choice with responsibility; children
assist with cleaning up; children talk with teachers about choices and
consequences. |
How we play...
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