Philosophy
As an Early Learning Center, we support the research that children learn best in an interactive, loving, relationship-based environment. We further believe that all areas of development (intellectual, social-emotional, physical, and spiritual) are inter-related. These beliefs are reflected in our choice of curriculum, materials, and our learning environment. The following statements are about how children grow, develop, and learn, and about how teachers support their development, guide our professional practices.
o Children are developmentally complex with their own individual growth and behavior patterns.
o The interactions and relationships that form between adults and children are the most important ingredients in the care and instruction of young children.
o Children thrive on supportive, positive, and individualized adult-child interactions.
o Our atmosphere for learning is one of acceptance, mutual respect, pleasure, fairness, consistency, expectations, and encouragement.
o Learning is an active process. Children learn through the use of all their senses.
o Children learn best when given a wide range of learning activities.
o Children learn responsibility by making age-appropriate decisions in a predictable, organized environment, with caring adults who have clear expectations and give appropriate consequences.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide a safe, loving, developmetally appropriate environment in which we nurture the whole child and introduce them to the Christian faith.
Program Characteristics
The following elements of quality are characteristic of the program at St. Michael’s ELC.
1. The program is led by a Director and Assistant Director with degrees in early childhood education and business administration and teachers who have early childhood credentials and training.
2. The Director, Assistant Director and teachers are committed to providing an early childhood program that is physically and emotionally healthy and safe. All staff members are certified in infant and child CPR.
3. Spiritual development is an important part of our program. Children pray before snacks and lunch. Children three and older participate in a weekly chapel conducted by St. Michael’s Vicar. Bible stories are shared with the children regularly. The children participate in music activities with the church Music Director, and the older children take part in our St. Nicholas Choir with the Director of the Royal School of Church Music Program for Children and Youth.
4. Our program fosters growth in self-confidence. Positive guidance is used to guide children’s behavior. Children begin to learn the Center’s rules which are: Be Kind. Be Safe. Respect your Friends. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
5. Positive Discipline and Guidance: Our teachers are trained to use positive techniques of guidance including redirection, reinforcement, role modeling, and encouragement. Anticipation and elimination of potential problems are techniques we successfully apply. Consistency is used in our daily schedule to establish routines. St. Michael’s ELC discipline policy forbids any form of corporal punishment.
