is a non-sectarian, innovative childcare program that has been providing morning preschool and full day care for the families of Cheshire and surrounding communities since 1995. We are an independent, dedicated, child-centered program trying to meet the many needs of families with young children. We strive for our teachers to be experienced and knowledgeable in the area of early childhood educatio
n and to continue their professional development on an ongoing basis. Our teachers work together as early childhood professionals to create caring, developmentally appropriate learning environments for young children. The work of Piaget, Montessori, Erikson, and other child development theorists, and researchers have demonstrated that learning is a complex process that results from the interaction of children's own thinking, interests and experiences in the external world. Our Philosophy:
We believe knowledge is not something that is given to children as though they were empty vessels to be filled, rather, children acquire knowledge about the physical and social worlds in which they live through playful interaction with objects and people, thus our logo “Learning by Experiencing.” “Children do not need to be forced to learn: they are motivated by their own desire to make sense of their world.” (Developmentally Appropriate Practices, NAEYC). At 1st Church Preschool, teachers are facilitators of play, which is essential to the development and growth of every child. In the context of imaginative play, children are able to set up and resolve social and emotional conflicts, extend their ideas about the world, expand conversational skills and develop thinking skills. The social interactions that evolve from play opportunities lead the child toward greater emotional understanding of his or her self, and of others. We encourage thinking skills by providing a stimulating and supportive environment. We offer a curriculum rich in concrete experiences that expand the child's knowledge and understanding of their world. As significant people impacting a child’s life, we believe it is very important to work in partnership with parents to take advantage of our separate and shared input regarding a child’s experiences.
