Philosophy

Educational Philosophy

The Concord Children's Center provides a child-focused setting, promotes the development of skills, and lends support to the family's function as the main source of security and identification for the young child. Self-esteem is vital to the development of confidence, curiosity about learning, independence and the formation of meaningful social ties. Each child comes to us with a unique learning style and with particular needs. It is our role to provide an environment conducive to the individual child's interests and developmental level.

With favorable student-teacher ratios, there are continuous opportunities for close guidance and interaction between the children and teachers, and for the children to learn by positive personal example. Children are better able to learn when they control their own work and play. The atmosphere of the Center encourages self-reliance and sharing with others, and opportunity for individual attention.

There is a balance each day of opportunities for active and quiet play, for child-initiated and teacher-directed activities, and for a variety of activities that motivate children to explore and learn. Structure in the program exists through predictable routines, consistent supervision, and with the Center's clear purpose underlying the total curriculum.

Curriculum Philosophy

Concord Children’s Center’s curriculum philosophy is guided by well researched principles that advocate that the best preparation for a young child’s development and future learning is open ended, child initiated play. Concord Children’s Center integrates knowledge and skill building into the purposeful play of children. Low child to teacher ratios, well trained tenured teachers, intimate and supportive learning environments result in a program tailored to individual learning styles that addresses each child at their own developmental stage.

We use play based curriculum to foster a deep understanding of concepts while engaging children in the process of lifelong learning. Throughout a child’s day our teachers guide children through the creation of new learning experiences, building the foundations for children’s confidence in themselves, the development of meaningful relationships, and a curiosity about learning.

Teacher's Role

Concord Children’s Center values teacher autonomy in curriculum planning. Believing a well balanced curriculum reflects both the children’s and the teacher’s interests and values, teachers develop curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and emergent. Following the child, capturing teachable moments and scaffolding curriculum to build on children’s natural curiosity and desire to learn is a key component to our curriculum development. Recognizing there are infinite sources for activities and themes, teachers evaluate specific interests, styles and characteristics of their group of children. Developing the social and emotional lives of young children lies at the core of each teacher’s curriculum decisions. All curriculum is rooted in the teachers understanding of developmental stages and knowledge of each child. Decisions teachers make in planning the curriculum and in reacting spontaneously to what happens each day are based on knowledge of normal child development and awareness of individual children’s interests, needs, abilities, and background.

Educational Practice in the Classroom

Concord Children’s Center classrooms and teaching strategies encourage children to explore, observe, discover and make meaning from the world around them. The curriculum provides the framework for what happens in the environment where children interact with materials, their peers and adults. Our skilled teachers are able to both guide and follow children through this learning. Carefully selected materials and activities encourage inquiry, a critical skill that will carry children through future learning experiences. Strengthening the social and emotional competency of children creates learners able to take risks, work cooperatively and most of all enjoy the process of learning and growing. Carefully designed classrooms promote learning. Teachers craft the environment to provide the security and stability to free the young child to be curious, to become involved in play, and to discover.