Our school works hard to stay posted on the most up-to-date teaching methods. We have recently completed training with the PITC (Program for Infant/Toddler Care). The PITC is an organization that has several specific ideals at its core:
- Culturally Responsive Caregiving,
- Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
As a center, we now work with primary caregivers, and small groups. Also, our children under 3 have at least one primary caregiver that they typically will move throughout the program with, along with their peer group. This concept is known as Continuity of Care, and it helps promote a stronger bond for families, children, and staff. Studies have shown that this strong bond leads to better school success in the elementary grades. Additionally, we break into smaller, more manageable groups throughout the day when appropriate. This helps to have a less stimulating environment, and allows our children to get more one-on-one time with their primary caregiver.
For more information about PITC and their philosophy, please see their website at www.pitc.org
In the coming years, we will also be working towards accreditation through the NAEYC (National Association of the Education of Young Children). Accreditation through this organization will assure our families of a few things:
Our standards will be set at a very high level.
The care we provide will be done so with the latest research on attachment, brain development, and children's needs in mind, and
we will be providing a very enriching environment, with better teacher-to-child ratios than most schools in the Sacramento area.
Finally, we also use the ECERS and ITERS Assessment tools. These tools assess programs, and rate them accordingly. They not only look for a safe place, but also an enriching, stimulating environment. We have used these assessments in the past, both in-house, and from agencies such as Child Action.
We regularly seek ways to enhance our curriculum but maintain basic methods that we believe nurture children’s learning. Our methods are exemplified in the activities we do with the kids.
Our activities are in the areas of:
-
Art
-Zoophonics
-Mathematics
-Cooking
-Dramatic Play
-Science
-Music & Movement
-Outdoor play
-Sense related activities (smell, sight, feel)
We allow children to learn by doing things themselves and provide them with an endless amount of enthusiasm as well as tools to explore with. Our school is filled with toys, games, musical instruments, art supplies, and books.
As a staff, we are committed to a "commerical-free" experience. To the best of our abilities, you will not see our children watching videos, or reading books or playing with materials based on TV shows and movies. We feel that the materials we offer are unique enough to engage the children in open-ended play, and our books are inviting enough, without the assistance of Dora, Elmo or Mickey. While these items are up to parents to choose, you will not find them at Milestones.
