Our programs for preschool and pre-K provide a wide variety of developmentally-appropriate activities with a balance of teacher-directed and child-initiated choices. Based on CCCC’s philosophy and teachers’ knowledge of the children in their care, our curriculum guides the cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth of each child. Our goals are:
- to develop nurturing, positive relationships
- to develop critical thinking skills
- to provide the freedom to explore possibilities and test ideas
- to provide a variety of reading, writing and math experiences
Examples of activities include:
- Small group activity times – art, science, math and literacy
- Creative, flexible activities planned by the teaching staff to meet the needs and interests of the children and promote development of growing skills, using themes and topics that relate to their lives
- Free choice time – dress up, blocks, drawing, reading, dramatic play, painting, sensory table
- Music – singing, exploration of music, movement
- Field trips and outdoor adventures around the centers
- Outside play – group games, ball skills, individual play, sandbox play, riding toys, and exploring the natural world
- Story time
- Nap or rest time
Learning occurs in the natural context of children’s play, with teachers providing guidance and enhanced experiences to build on children’s interests. Our programs focus on the development of social and emotional skills as the solid foundation for more academic skills in the future.
Here is an example of a preschooler’s schedule:
| 7:00 – 8:30 | Arrival, free play |
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Clean up, wash hands |
| 9:00 – 9:30 | Breakfast |
| 9:30 – 10:30 | Activity such as outside play, art projects, or time at a sensory table |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Circle time – calendar, songs, stories, sharing time |
| 10:45 – 11:45 | Child’s choice of activities such as table toys (puzzles, unifix cubes), books, home living, or blocks |
| 11:45 – 12:00 | Clean up, wash hands |
| 12:00-12:30 | Lunch |
| 12:30 – 1:00 | Stories, story tapes, books |
| 1:00 – 2:30 | Rest/nap |
| 2:30 – 3:00 | Wake up, books, quiet activities |
| 3:00- 3:30 | Snack |
| 3:30 – 4:30 | Outside play |
| 4:30 – 5:50 | Classroom activities such as playdough, legos, trucks, animals |
| 5:50 | Go home |