Education

The curriculum model used at CECD is Creative Curriculum, which is based on the philosophy that children learn by active involvement with peers and adults through the use of developmentally appropriate materials in the learning environment. The classrooms at CECD are rich in opportunities for children to be independent and make choices, thereby resulting in their developing into independent thinkers and decision-makers. A consistent daily routine allows for the smooth transition from one activity to another. It also allows for children to predict and plan for the things that are about to happen. The classroom team observes and acts on the differing needs of each child, their abilities, interests, and pacing levels. Classrooms are set up to accommodate easy access to materials that are all age appropriate. Classroom staff supports the ongoing process of emerging literacy.

The EHS toddler classrooms follow The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos, which emphasizes the importance of the child/caregiver relationship. The Creative Curriculum emphasizes a classroom environment filled with responsive daily routines and meaningful, individualized experiences that nurture your child’s learning and development. In addition to daily routines, The Creative Curriculum supports the teachers every day as they engages the children in meaningful experiences, such as playing with toys, enjoying books and stories, creating art, and going outdoors. In each of these experiences, teachers observe what children do and select materials that match their growing abilities and interests.

The HS preschool classrooms use The Creative Curriculum for Preschool. It is based on 38 objectives for development and learning that focus on all the areas that are most important for school success: social–emotional, cognitive, math, literacy, physical, language, social studies, science and technology, and the arts. These objectives are built into every activity that happens in the classroom, which means that all day long, the teachers are helping children build skills and knowledge in these important areas.

Children are provided with the time, space and materials to make their own literacy discoveries. Staff respects and builds on children’s home language skills while providing opportunities for them to learn English language skills. Multi-cultural books and materials are implemented into the Daily Lesson Plan to reflect the diversity of the children. Technology in the HS classrooms include iPads, Kindle Fires and computers. All site have age appropriate outdoor play areas.