Little Hands in Action

1. Little Hands in Action -Marisa Chapa Antoinette Gregory Brittany Moorman

2. Children form who they are from being individuals and find themselves through the process of self discovery. • Children must have some control of their learning through: listening, hearing and experience. Relationships are encouraged with other classmates and with their natural world. • Children have boundless ways of self- expression and find their own ways of self- expression through experience. • The environment is a 3rd teacher. Philosophy

3. The main goal of our program is that the teacher remains a co-learner and collaborative instructor who works with the interests of each individual child. We also ensure that instruction from the teacher is never imposed on the child but children are engaged and guided by their teacher. • Provides outdoor experiences to the student and extra curricular activities are encouraged by the program. • Cleanliness and order goals within the classroom with natural light, environmental creativity projects which bring the ‘outdoors into’ the classroom, and plants within the classroom. • Relational goals are maintained with each student’s parents of our program with daily updates of the child’s progress in both social and academic areas. • Many take home projects are incorporated in the program which strengthen parent/ student bonds but also encourages the goal of the child to learn outside of the classroom. Goals of the classroom

4. Our education is based on a relationship between three protagonists children, parent, and environment • Emergent curriculum • Environment important to learning • Sensory based materials that are self-correcting Our program model

5. Our purpose is to support the development and well-being and foster learning • Following guidelines in understanding of the early learning and development • The standards provide continuum of learning and development from birth to age five in each domain Content Standards

6. Extra indoor floor and outdoor space to provide ample area for many hands-on activities • Provides extra classroom for art and science projects. • Outdoor activities require ample staffing to ensure safety of the children • Open play area with shade, bathroom and water access enclosed by a safe, natural fencing • Classrooms provide a warm feel with natural light and displays of children’s work Our Center

7. Professional director , who is still involved at the center daily • Our teachers are a team of highly educated and experienced individuals • A supportive, welcoming staff for your family • All members work together Our Staff

8. Each center is required to provide a well-balanced program, allowing both quiet and active play on a daily basis. • Little Hands in Action provide both indoor and outdoor play areas, both with accessible quiet areas for children • Our center provides a special classroom for the arts, such as music, nature materials, and senses • Small and large group activities provide self directed learning Center Activities

9. Keeping children safe is high priority at Little Hands in Action • A secret pin is required to enter the facility, to provide extra caution for our children • All furniture, materials, and equipment are safe and easy to clean. All areas are free of hazards Safety in Action

10. Our Little Hands in Action center is clean, sanitary, and provides separate areas for eating, sleeping, personal needs, and activities • Healthy habits are a strong practice at Little Hands in Action for children and staff • We provide two nutritious meals a day • Children are encouraged to suggest healthy food choices for our meals Little Hands for Health

12. Teacher to child ratios at Little Hands in Action are the best in the area • High teacher to child ratios allow for quality individual attention Class Size

13. Our encouraging staff members stimulate and continue positive relationships with each child • Staff members complete training in specialized areas, such arts, science, dance, and music • All employees are CPR/first aid certified Staff development

14. Teachers maintain a daily report for each child • Parent and teacher communication is a daily routine • Bulletin boards decorate the center and provide the family with valuable information • Many activities encourage parental involvement • Little Hands in Action practices an open door policy • Little Hands at Lunch days Home and School Connection

16. Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. (2011, November 10). Step Up To Quality Benchmarks and Indicators. Retrieved September 28, 2012, from Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services: http://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/docs/SUTQ-centerbenchmarks.pdf Slides 7,11,12 • Morrison, G. S. (2011). Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education. Upper Saddle NJ: Pearson. Slides 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 • Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. (2011, September 9). Chapter 5101:2-12 Licensing of Child Care Centers. Retrieved August 2012, from LA Writer: http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/5101%3A2-12 Slides 6,8,9,10 Works Cited