Curriculum

We strive for the overall development of the child.

All of our classrooms use a curriculum and the PA Learning Standards. The curriculum at Schoolhouse Learning Center provides a wealth of creative activities to help children develop their minds and bodies in a safe and healthy environment. The PA learning Standards are research-based standards that are the key to supporting our curriculum. A strong academic foundation will enrich children with the skills necessary to succeed in every phase of their lives.

We provide a warm learning environment that is safe, healthy, and well organized. The classrooms are designed to promote learning and a harmonious environment is encouraged. The teachers prepare daily schedules, routines, and plans for individual children, small groups, and the entire class. This allows time for child-initiated and teacher-directed learning. Themed based lesson plans provide a variety of topics for your children to explore. Monthly calendars and newsletters are sent home to provide each family with a schedule of events. Your child’s teacher will encourage your child’s learning in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, and technology. Emphasis is placed on gaining an understanding of themselves and an appreciation of persons belonging to all social, cultural and ethnic groups.

Literacy

Language development is encouraged by talking and listening to the children, reading books, story retelling, rhymes, finger plays, writing, learning children’s poetry, and dramatic play. Literacy is incorporated in the learning centers and everyday routines. Throughout your child’s day, many socialization opportunities arise. The classroom’s reading area is a place where the children can look at books on their own, retell stories and even make up their own stories.

Mathematics

The classrooms have rich mathematics environment that is integrated throughout the daily activities. The teachers are very knowledgeable about the facts and concepts needed to promote and extend children’s mathematical thinking. The teachers focus on number concepts, patterns and relationships, geometry, measurement and data collection. Your children are enthusiastically engaged in the work of learning.

Science and Technology

Your children learn science concepts by using their senses to observe and explore while using their thinking skills to investigate the world around them. The science concepts include earth and the environment, life science and physical science. Children also learn about technology by exploring how things work. At the computer center, your children learn the basic operation of the computer, and are able to learn new information while creating and exploring.

Social Studies

Your children learn about how people live today, how they lived in the past and geography. The teachers create a learning environment that guides the children to gain experiences and skills that help them pose meaningful questions about themselves, their relationships, their communities and their world. The teachers hold a deep respect for a child’s culture and are responsive to how culture, family, and young children weave together.

Creative Arts

The classrooms have rich mathematics environment that is integrated throughout the daily activities. The teachers are very knowledgeable about the facts and
concepts needed to promote and extend children’s mathematical thinking. The teachers focus on number concepts, patterns and relationships, geometry, measurement and data collection. Your children are enthusiastically engaged in the work of learning.

Tadpoles

We use Tadpoles as our communication system between school and families.

Family Involvement

We strive to develop partnerships with all our families to support children’s learning. Teachers take their time to discuss your child with you, during drop-off and pickup and during parent-teacher conferences. Families are provided with daily reports, a 45 day review and progress reports three times a year. Schoolhouse Learning Center has an open door policy. Families play a key role in achieving the well-being and healthy development of your child. It is important that families develop strong communication with their children’s teachers.

Health and Safety

Our goal is to ensure that every child in our care is in the safest environment possible. Upon entering our facilities there is a security system for guardians to gain access.

Emergency contact forms are filled out by each family.
Hand-washing is required upon entry into our facility and is practiced during diapering, bathroom, and meal routines.
Children are taught to manage health practices independently.
Professional janitorial services clean our facilities every evening.
Staff are good role models for health practices.
Care is always given to children’s appearances.
First aid kits are accessible to teachers at all times.
Families are responsible for bringing their children to the center in good health.
Children who have been diagnosed with any illnesses are asked to notify the director immediately. We will then inform all of the families in our center so that they are made aware of any symptoms associated with that particular illness.
Non-toxic play materials are provided.
Staff take action to prevent safety problems and children are explained the reason for safety rules.
Indoor and outdoor play areas are arranged to avoid safety problems.