Vision statement

   Classrooms and Outdoor Play Environment, Gathering Garden and Room layouts shall be developmentally appropriate and an interactive extension, scaled to fit the size of the children in the classroom and their ability.  The Areas shall be easily accessible and inclusive to promote all children, accommodating their developmental needs as much as possible, yet challenging and engaging.  There shall be defined areas of play in sections, large group and individual play areas.  The materials and activities provided shall keep children’s interest, avoid conflict,  and entice them to use open-ended problem-solving skills while promoting the main objectives, as stated in the Educational Policy.  All daily routines are learning opportunities and experiences with connections that form lasting relationship understandings.  Teachers are responsible for providing and maintaining the materials, learning tools, engaging natural phenomena and toys.  The activities  shall be posted for parents and guardians to examine weekly and will certainly consider ideas. The following enrichment themes have been created: Dramatic Play, Fine Motor/Gross Motor, Literacy, Self-Sufficiency, Life Skills and Competencies, Science and Math, Blocks, Manipulatives, Outdoor/Natural Awareness and Art/Writing Center.  The Director shall Check Curriculum and examine weekly the safety and appropriate standards and give feedback to Staff. 

 Teachers will be responsible for planning activities. All areas of development will be incorporated into a director approved lesson plan format. This lesson plan will include planned activity time in the morning and afternoon.  Teachers will plan and write objectives based on the NAEYC Curriculum, Youngstar Quality Indicators through WMELS  and Assessment Standards and the developmental level of the children in their group. Experiences in all play areas are planned.   Activities should encourage creativity, be open-ended, emphasis on cooperation with some individualized scenarios and most represent his or her own expression and connection  vs. comparing to others. Worksheets, copies, or color sheets should be used on a limited basis.    

         Our Learning Plan will transition easily throughout the day.  Children shall be given options to meet their above criteria at his or her choice throughout the daily routine and at his or her pace.  Teachers shall be flexible with children’s needs and make accommodations for the child’s schedule to avoid over/under-stimulation, waiting, or stressful situations. 

 Nature is a universal language that, not only is tangible, but all humans can identify with it.  Using nature and the outdoors will support Autonomy and promote connections with purpose and prepare them for  School & their purpose.  Delayed Outcomes will promote patience, willingness to make mistakes, confidence to keep trying, build stamina, and critical thinking skills, all important attributes of a productive adult.  Studies show a strong beginning can build solid relationships making us better stewards, parents, employees, mentors and friends later in life. 

The updates to this policy will be flexible and will spill over into everyday schedules and routines.

     The role of the center will be to experience rather than celebrate holidays and culturally specific designated days. Celebrating traditions and rites of passages are important and bring young and old together forming relationships and creating lifetime memories.  Teaching will be inclusive of many traditions and cultures, and more specifically, reflect and respect the individual “family culture” of the enrolled children.  All teaching will emphasize the history and uniqueness, including special needs, of each family unit’s culture and the greater idea that all of us have something to share.

     Teaching techniques used will be appropriate to the age and learning styles of the children. Activities that constitute appropriate learning include: listening to oral stories and books, listening to / dancing to /singing songs, language arts experiences and immersion, working with art materials and creative expression, appreciating artwork of diverse cultures, making and tasting different foods,  growing and identifying native plants and animals, dramatic play props, games, and celebrations. Schedules will be flexible and daily routines will incorporate traditions such as Try It Tuesday, (exploring new meals and Farm to Table recipes). Other Examples are, Friday Show and Share a Book.   Children’s work will be displayed as any other projects are displayed throughout the year. Materials and activities will be presented as part of the daily curriculum maintaining daily routine. Changes to lesson planning or menus reflecting cultural and family celebrations will be posted for parents to view the day of changes and during orientation.

     Terri’s Treehouse will celebrate seasons, stages in life, accomplishments, traditional holidays from around the world, reflections of community gatherings and historic events.  Any activity that dramatically deviates from each child’s normal routine will be avoided. 

     As with any activity available to children, the material will be developmentally appropriate and children will have a choice as to whether to participate and, to what extent. Parents will have prior access to all lesson plans so they are aware of what is being presented to their children.  Families are encouraged to share their “family cultures” within the classroom including discussing or displaying each families’ dynamic culture along with their heritage.

     The making of gifts will be included when it is developmentally appropriate. Through the making and giving of gifts, children learn to see beyond themselves. Gift making activities will be a regular activity and children can choose from age appropriate designs chosen by the teachers.  Some gifts will be created from our very own Gathering Garden, with children designing appropriate garden beds and planning all year. 

     Specific Traditions, Events or Holidays may be planned. These events may extend from the Center into the community to develop a relationship with a broader Northwoods population. These activities shall be optional for Center families and occasionally family members will be invited to participate. Information will be shared in the parent newsletter, online, parent board or via teacher to families communication ect. Photographs, with permission, will be utilized to collect, share and reflect experiences to our students and their families through our monthly newsletter.