Description: CURRICULUM PHILOSOPHIES Emergent Curriculum The Y focuses on a play-based approach known as Emergent Curriculum. Learning experiences and projects are guided by the teacher based on children¿s interests, incorporating a multi-sensory and hands-on approach. Children learn by using all senses to explore and develop an increased ability to think, reason, question, and experiment. We place emphasis on building social competency skills in an environment rich in language development. Our classrooms are set up to provide children with a variety of activities and play centers. Activities may include art, water play, blocks, dramatic play, manipulatives, science, writing center, and early literacy. Additionally, our curriculum provides opportunities for experiences with music, movement, cooking, math, social studies, field trips, and other enrichment opportunities. We follow the guidelines set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS). Loose Parts We utilize loose parts play in our indoor and outdoor classrooms. Loose parts materials include natural and synthetic materials that can be used in open-ended ways. Children use loose parts to explore concepts and make connections without preconceived notions of use. For example, a pipe has been used for tunnels, as a flagpole, oars for a ship and fishing poles. Loose parts also provide materials that are free from our perceived biases as adults. Process Art Our philosophy around art is grounded in honoring the process of creation through exploration of materials and child self-expression. Process art focuses on making, experimenting, and discovering. Each child¿s art will be their own and unlike any other, each child will experience this process differently. This idea that the journey is more important than the end product aligns with our philosophy that children learn through experiences that are meaningful to them and driven by them. YMCA FAMILY HANDBOOK | EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS 12 Big Body Play Children use their bodies to learn through all stages of life, birth through school age. Pulling, rolling, hugging, pushing, swinging, running, jumping, tumbling, tagging, etc. Big body play can be individual or with multiple children. We will honor big body play when it occurs and the children¿s right to choose whether to engage in this play. To support big body play we will: ¿ Provide safe and appropriate indoor and outdoor spaces. ¿ Provide multiple opportunities for big body play throughout the day. ¿ Train staff how to supervise and model big body play. ¿ Acknowledge the natural risk of play and the benefits children gain from learning risk management. ¿ Supervise children for safety and use children¿s play as a vehicle for development. Anti-Bias Classroom: Our Youth Development programs strive to teach children in an inclusive environment. This includes the physical environment, behaviors, and attitudes of our staff. Classrooms will provide children with non-stereotyped books, dolls, and learning opportunities that reflect a variety of people of different ages, abilities, genders, ethnicity, etc. Curriculum plans may include traditions of the children enrolled in the program, other traditions, and foods from different cultures. We will engage in spontaneous and intentional conversations about people¿s differences and similarities. These conversations will include the concepts of respecting differences, recognizing unfairness, and speaking up for others.
Additional Information: Initial License Date: 09/28/2025; Sibling Discount Available; Area Description: Fenced Yard, Smoke Free; Program Meals: Allergy Awareness; 5 Star Center Based Child Care and Preschool Program - Licensed Provider;Be the first to review this childcare provider. Write a review about Y Early Childhood Program at Winooski. Let other families know what’s great, or what could be improved. Please read our brief review guidelines to make your review as helpful as possible.
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