PRE-K

Pre-K

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION BENEFITS

There are many benefits for providing your child with early education and care at TLC Downtown. It is said that learning begins at birth. Children’s experiences at school are a great complement to their experiences at home. TLC Downtown provides a structured, dynamic and social environment where the child is stimulated to explore, develop, adapt and grow.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Children feel safe, relaxed and comfortable
• Children are happy and actively involved in play or group activities.
• Caregivers are warm, caring and enjoy their work
• Children explore actively using all of their senses.
• Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at least one hour) to play and explore.
• Children spend most of their time playing and working with materials or other children. They do not wander aimlessly, and they are not expected to sit quietly for long periods of time.
• Children have lots of opportunities to choose their own play activities.
• Children have access to various activities throughout the day. They have access to assorted building blocks and other construction materials, props for pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as matching games, pegboards, and puzzles. Children are rarely doing the same thing at the same time.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

• Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day. They do not spend all their time with the whole group.
• Caregivers know how to plan activities and experiences to support learning at each age
• Creative curriculum complemented with Early Literacy program provides a complete learning experience and prepares the child for a successful entry into Kindergarten.
• Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Teachers recognize that children’s different background and experiences mean that they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.
• Teachers read books to children individually or in small groups several times throughout the day, not just at group story time.
• Exposure to different musical instruments like piano, classical music and folklore.
• Very early experience with computer education.

STAFF & CURRICULUM

• Highly qualified, bilingual staff with diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Caregivers believe that every child is valuable and can do well.
• Children with special needs receive the resources and support they deserve.
• Caregivers are respectful of children and help them solve problems.
• Caregivers listen carefully to children, answer their questions and respect their feelings.
• Caregivers understand how children develop, and receive regular training to improve their skills.
• Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences. The natural world of plants and animals and meaningful activities like cooking, taking attendance, or serving snack provide the basis for learning activities.
• Children have an opportunity to play outside every day. Outdoor play is never sacrificed for more instructional time.
• Very clean environment. Toys are cleaned constantly and deep cleaned at least once a week. Bathrooms cleaned at least three times per day.
• The classroom is decorated with children’s original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling, and stories dictated by children to teachers.

SCHOOL COMMUNITY

• Children are exposed to different cultures, languages, learning methods
• Extracurricular activities including karate, yoga, music, drama, ballet, languages, piano are offered on site.
• Safe, high tech facility monitored 24/7. Web cameras allow live, continuous access for parents, Director and tech support to monitor activity in all areas of the center.
• Parents are invited to participate with their children often.
• Parents feel that they are important partners in their children’s early learning.
• Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel secure about sending their child to the program. Children are happy to attend; they do not cry regularly or complain of feeling sick.