Thoughts To Bear in Mind

When Looking for Your Child’s Next School

Beforehand or as you tour schools, it might be helpful for you to know which pieces of our program here at the CLC you value and want to have at your next school, and which elements of our program you feel you could do without. Below are parts of our program and philosophy articulated for your convenience. Please feel free to use it as a basis of comparison.

Curriculum

The CLC believes that young children learn from the process of interacting with and exploring materials to develop their understanding of how these can serve an end product.

The CLC believes that young children learn best through play. Children need a rich and child-centered environment so that their discoveries are real and relevant to them. When provided with the appropriate stimulation and adult interaction, children’s play leaves them more open and available to learning than much direct teaching will.

Children are encouraged to be creative individuals in their problem solving while remaining responsible to the collective group. We recognize that children need a balance between cooperative and independent play.

The CLC is a supportive, noncompetitive environment.

Our curriculum is built on the concrete thinking of young children, gradually expanding to challenge their increasing ability assimilate abstract concepts.

Every part of our curriculum supports children’s social development. This is evidenced through group projects, class discussion, physical arrangement of the classroom, and teacher facilitation while children are negotiating with one another.

Community

The CLC prides itself on creating a warm nurturing environment for children as well as their families.

Family involvement is welcomed, encouraged, and expected. Families play a large role in policy making and program development.

Children in the various classes have regular opportunities to interact as a multi-aged school community

The CLC holds several events during the course of the year specifically so that families can relax and interact with one another.

The CLC has an extended day program for children who need quality and constructive care beyond 2:00.

The CLC has an optional summer program for families who would like to extend the school year without breaking the continuity of the program.

Communication

The CLC sees children in their familial contexts, and understands that the relationship with children is built through their families. Communication begins with home visits, phone calls from the teachers, and extends through newsletters, informative posters, bi-yearly parent-teacher conferences, bi-yearly developmental progress reports, and a relaxed conversations during arrival and pick-up.