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About Us
Waypoint Early Learning Center follows a curriculum that focuses on the “whole child”. We view young children as individuals who are curious about their world and have the potential to learn from all that surrounds them.
Serving 6 weeks through preschool.
Our Mission
Waypoint Early Learning Center strives to provide a safe, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive environment for all children in our care. Our mission is to provide an early learning experience that cultivates the skills that are needed to build a strong foundation for success. Our goal is to support the path each child takes while building a community of lifelong learners. We are committed to the children and the families in our program and we work to accomplish goals together through active support and encouragement.
Philosophy
Waypoint Early Learning Center adopts a Reggio Emilia inspired approach to early childhood education and views young children as individuals who are curious about their world and have the powerful potential to learn from all that surrounds them. Educational, psychological, and sociological influences are important factors to consider in understanding children and working to stimulate learning in appropriate ways. Our teachers employ strategies such as exposing children to a wide variety of educational opportunities that encourage self-expression, communication, logical thinking, and problem-solving. Waypoint Early Learning Center believes that there are three primary teachers in the life of a child. The first teacher is that of the parent, the second teacher is the classroom teacher and the third teacher is the environment.
Role of the Parent
The active participation of parents in the life of the children in our program is an essential component of the educational experience at Waypoint Early Learning Center.
Our families are actively involved in meetings, conferences, classroom projects, celebrations and events. We encourage parents to be part of our program not only by communicating with teachers about their child but also engaging in decisions about the center.
Teachers provide written assessments on each child’s development and the center provides opportunities to learn more about the happenings in the classroom through newsletters and classroom daily boards. This all supports an open environment of communication between the parents and the teachers.
Role of the Classroom Teachers
Our teachers play a critical role in preparing your child for a lifetime of learning. All our teachers are highly experienced educators in the development of young children. Our expectations are high and we demand nothing less than the following from our teaching teams:
To help children see the connections in learning and experiences.
To co-explore the learning experience with the children.
To provoke ideas, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
To take ideas from the children and return to them for further exploration.
To organize the classroom and materials to be aesthetically pleasing and inviting.
To organize materials to help children make thoughtful decisions about the materials.
To help children express their knowledge through representational work.
To document children’s progress: journals, photographs, and portfolios.
To have a dialogue about the projects with parents and other teachers.
To foster the connection between home, school and community.
Role of the Environment
Our environment is a reflection of our values toward children. We believe children have a right to learn in beautiful spaces designed specifically just for them. Both indoor and outdoor spaces are designed to provide a variety of sensory experiences. Our classrooms are light and bright, with natural sunlight. Items found in nature are incorporated into the classroom materials and considered an important part of developing an appreciation for the world around us. Teachers carefully arrange the room and display all materials so that children can make thoughtful decisions when working and exploring. Common space is available to all children in the classroom that includes dramatic play areas, sensory tables, atelier/art center, library and reading nook, block center and worktables for puzzles and scientific learning. At Waypoint Early Learning Center our classrooms provide an enriched environment that nourishes each child’s development.
Continuity of Care
Waypoint Early Learning Center is organized and staffed to minimize the number of transitions children experience. Being mindful of the importance of the bonds that are established with teachers and peers, every effort is made to maintain continuity of relationships between teaching staff, children, and among groups of children. Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers are kept together with their teachers and peers for the duration of the child’s stay in the program. Developmental needs or concerns are always considered when planning transitions for children and clear communication takes place between center, home, and among teaching staff.