ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Our school places emphasis upon experiential learning which is appropriate to the individual developmental levels of our children. When you enter our busy classroom, look closely. What you see first will probably appear to be children playing actively. Both the classroom and schoolyard are designed to further a child’s growth through play.

At All Children Great and Small, we believe in “mixed age” groups. This means that we do not separate like-aged children into separate classrooms or groups. Because we encourage our children to be involved at their own level of development, mixed-age groups support this type of expectation. The three year-old working at the play dough table will use the materials in her own way. The five-year-old play dough enthusiast sitting across the table will see the experience in his own way. However, as they create and explore and touch and manipulate the dough, they may also watch, talk, listen and imitate each other. They are not only involved with their play dough; they are also involved with each other.

Older children are encouraged to model for their younger peers. Younger children often seem to absorb and learn from friends who are older. We believe this to be natural and healthy because this is the way learning occurs in the real world. We all work at our own levels. We all learn from one another at various times throughout our lives. We all have areas in which we excel. We all have areas in which we need more practice.

Children practice through play. They practice through active involvement in a variety of types of experience. Each day, our program is comprised of activities that foster learning with individual, small group and large group experiences. Most of the time, children are free to pursue activities of their own choosing. We provide the carefully planned environment, general curriculum, materials, supervision, caring and support.

An enriched classroom is like a safe and quality canvas. Within this framework, children explore, interact and create with their curiosity, their inner needs, their feelings, their bodies, and their minds. They paint their growth with who they are and who they will naturally become.

Separation can be difficult for both parent and child. It is one of the most important processes you and your child will ever share. In many ways, separation is a life-long process of deep significance. You are expected to stay at school with your child in the beginning. As familiarity and trust grow, separation can begin. You are welcome to stay until both you and your child feel ready for you to leave.