|
Educating and Nurturing Infants through Kindergarten
|
|
Natural Environments for optimal play. |
|
The education of young children is a joint venture between home, school and church. Our purpose is to provide a nurturing Christian atmosphere in which each child can grow physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. Our hope is to develop within each child, a loving respect for each other and for the wonders of God’s world. To assist them in their journey are qualified and dedicated teachers. |
|
Welcome! We consider it a privilege to care for children in a loving Christian setting. |
|
Structure We are a privately owned Ministry Outreach of Bethlehem Lutheran Church's Christian Education Program. Bethlehem Lutheran School Board oversees the operation of the Children's Center. Kathleen Curtis is the Center's Director; Deborah McNally is the Center's Assistant Director.
B.C.C. is a non-profit organization. Our funding is provided by tuition payments.
|
|
Philosophy
We believe that young children learn by doing. This belief is supported by works of Piaget (1950-1972), Erikson (1950) and other child development theorists and researchers. Learning is a complex process that results from the interaction of children’s own thinking and their experiences in the external world. Children acquire knowledge about the physical and social worlds in which they live through playful interaction with objects and people. (1) Stemming from these findings, and in accordance with the National association for the education of Young Children, Bethlehem Children’s Center provides a variety of developmentally appropriate, hands-on activities for children to achieve these goals:
Foster positive self-concept Develop social skills Enhance Physical Development Encourage children to think, reason, question, and experiment Encourage language and literacy development Encourage and demonstrate sound health, safety, and nutritional practices Respect cultural diversity (2)
** We believe the teachers act as guides and facilitators in achieving these goals.**
A position Statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children 1990 Early Childhood Classroom Observation-National Academy of Early Childhood Programs 1991
Pro-diversity Philosophy Christ has commanded us to “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Following these instructions, and Paul’s reminder that “God shows no partiality”, (Acts 10:34) here at Bethlehem, we promote a pro-diversity philosophy. Our environment is set up to reflect and celebrate individuals and their families. Diverse dolls, food, clothing, fabrics, music, housing, and books are introduced in a natural and relaxed setting. Awareness and acceptance of all types of abilities and cultures are shared through pictures, visitations, and contextual conversation.
Bias and prejudice begin at an early age. Children pick up on looks, changes in voice inflection, and body language. As a staff, we are constantly having to face out own bias thus being careful not to “teach” them to a child. Teacher in-service, classes, informational articles, and prayer prepare us to make sure we present all people as being part of God’s beloved family. Family, Church, and Community are resources that continually help us marvel at the diversity of our world. **Please review our anti-bias curriculum**
Time With God We believe that when Christian teachers interact with children at the Center, the power, love, and joy of God’s Spirit is with them pervading all areas of growth and development. We present as awareness and understanding of God’s love through simple Bible story times and songs that enhance, and creatively portray, this gospel, which is the foundation of our ministry and life together. On Wednesday mornings, the pastor and Director meet with the three-year-old, four-year-old, and kindergarten classes in chapel to sing and listen to Bible stories.
Infant Toddler Program Information
The primary purpose of our Infant and Toddler Centers are to provide high quality infant-toddler care to children in the community. Our desire is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where parents can feel good about leaving their children. Our goals for the children are to provide a play-oriented curriculum, based on sound child development principles. Respect for the child, positive guidance, and based on the emerging physical, cognitive, and social/emotional abilities of the child. Each child is allowed the freedom of developing at his/her own rate. Nap times and feeding times are adjusted to the individual needs of each infant. The Toddler component will have a scheduled lunch and nap time with adjustments for individual needs. We provide a stimulating environment that encourages the natural developmental events of your child such as the first smile, sitting up, crawling, creeping, walking and talking. The environment is informal, imitating home. We love them, rock them, talk to them about their surroundings, comfort them if they cry and try to anticipate any needs. We encourage communication between parents and staff to ensure stress-free relationships. Our teaching staff is composed of primary caregivers who have completed the required Early Childhood Education units in addition to other course work in the field of infant-toddler development. They are dedicated people who truly care for the safety and well-being of your children. Each primary caregiver is responsible for specific children and their needs, as well as hourly diaper checks and charting. The Infant Center cares for children from six weeks old to two years old. The Caregivers are in charge of up to four children per day. We are currently licensed for eight infants. Our toddlers (18 mos.-2.9 years) are known as the Pandas. The Panda room has up to twelve children per day with three teachers. The toddler curriculum is different from the preschool curriculum in that we do not require the children to participate in large group activities or mandatory circle times. The teachers' main focus in this classroom is on socialization, self-esteem, gross motor development, and language development. |
|
|
|
Pre-school and Kindergarten Program Information
Integrated, Thematic Curriculum (Preparing An Environment)
The teachers provide a variety of developmentally appropriate activities based on common themes which change throughout the year. These activities are then arranged into learning centers. Through the use of blocks, manipulatives, and art tools, your child will develop his/her fine motor skills. Songs, poems, and literature will offer your child the opportunity to further develop his/her (oral) language skills. Large and small group activities will help your child gain an awareness of themselves and their place within the group. We will create and environment conductive to success, thereby strengthening your child’s self-esteem. Our curriculum is designed to promote the maximum amount of growth and development for your child. The curriculum can best be described as a web; the threads of language arts, reading, dramatic play, science, math, manipulatives, and music are woven together with ideas and concepts intersecting and overlapping to form an intricate web of knowledge and experiences for your child. Our 2.9 yrs-31/2 yrs. are known as the Otters. The adult to child ratio is one to six and diapering is available in this classroom. Our 3.5 – 5 yrs. are known as the Penguins. The adult to child ratio in this classroom is one to eight. Our oldest class is known as the kindergarten class. Please see the separate Program Handbook for curriculum information about this class. Your child will be assigned a Primary Contact Teacher. This method will allow your child to bond with one particular teacher thereby providing a sense of security. The Primary Contact Teachers attend to the specific daily needs of their assigned children, and speak daily with their parents or send notes home.
** Please check with your classroom teachers regarding the daily schedules.**
|
