Where Children Begin a Lifelong Love of Learning
Educating Children Ages 1 through Kindergarten
Our Philosophy Our philosophy is that each child is an individual who actively learns at their own pace and in their own style. Our programs are built upon this understanding of child-centered, play-based learning in a relaxed – but structured – environment that stimulates curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
Our Facility
Why is NAEYC Accreditation Important?
Located in the heart of the Charleston Metro area, Daniel Island Academy is a 17,500 square foot, state-of-the-art campus with 17 classrooms, a multi-purpose room, and two outdoor playgrounds. Our large, gated courtyard serves as an outdoor classroom complete with gardens, water play areas, and outdoor musical instruments.
NAEYC stands for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which sets the most rigorous standards in early childhood education, health and safety. Daniel Island Academy is one of a few schools nationwide that has achieved NAEYC accreditation since its opening and maintained it every year since. Programs that meet these standards provide a safe and healthy environment for children, have teachers who are well-trained, have access to excellent teaching materials, and work with curriculum that is appropriately challenging and developmentally sound.
www.naeyc.org/academy
Member facility of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings: Operation and Maintenance with the United States Green Building Council. www.USGBC.org
ALLERGY SAFE ENVIRONMENT – Our school offers an allergy-safe environment for children. All meals and snacks are provided to avoid the use of commonly known ingredients and foods that may cause an allergic reaction. The facility is meticulously cleaned with environmentally sensitive products to reduce the presence of known allergy triggers.
Our Programs Our programs include FULL DAY, HALF DAY, MOTHER’S MORNING OUT, and ENRICHMENT CLASSES. Each focuses on active learning through the use of classroom centers, including literacy, math, science, manipulative blocks, dramatic play, and creative expression. Self help, critical thinking and problem solving skills are taught at all age levels.
Our Classrooms Learning activities are a key ingredient in any early childhood setting. Without them children miss out on opportunities to develop skills and gain knowledge during their earliest years. Our classrooms are designed and equipped for age appropriate play, based upon research supported by the high standards of NAEYC. We continuously evaluate our classroom programs, materials and equipment by the ITERS (Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale) and ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale) standards. The ITERS and ECERS program was developed by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. TEACHERS AND STAFF - We are professionals in educating and caring for children. Throughout the year our teachers attend training and educational seminars, bringing new and exciting ideas back to the classroom to further engage and educate children. Our teachers receive competitive salaries and benefit packages including health, dental, and retirement. We attract the best and the brightest and reward those who excel on behalf of your child.
CHILD-TO-TEACHER RATIOS - Individual attention is essential in a child-centered learning environment. Our school offers low child-to-teacher ratios, which are superior to those mandated by the State of South Carolina. PROGRAM
DIA
STATE REQ
Full-Day Programs (6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.) Pre-Toddler (12-24 months)
1:5
1:6
Toddler-Young (24-30 months)
1:6
1:7
Toddler-Old (30-36 months)
1:7
1:7
Full-Day Three (36-48 months)
1:9
1:11
Full-Day Four (48-60 months)
1:10
1:16
Kindergarten (age 5 years as of Sept. 1)
1:9
1:19
Half-Day Programs (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) Half-Day Two (Tuesday and Thursday)
1:6
1:7
Half-Day Three (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
1:7
1:11
Half-Day Four (Monday – Friday)
1:10
1:16
1:5
1:6
Mother’s Morning Out (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) One & Two Year Olds
Our Curriculum The Creative Curriculum® encompasses the ongoing cycle of observing, guiding, learning and assessing your child’s progress in the classroom. It is an integrated curriculum using knowledge across all content areas for a “whole child” approach to learning. It is also a play-based curriculum in which classroom environment and center activities play an integral part in the learning process.
PLAY-CENTERED LEARNING - Children learn through play. Play contributes to the building of gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, sensory, social and emotional skills. Our curriculum is supported by a stimulating environment both indoor and outdoor, allowing children to explore, problem solve and learn through their interaction with their surroundings and other children through self-directed play. The environment, activities, and social interactions are designed to stimulate individuality, positive self-esteem, communication skills and a lifelong desire to learn. EARLY LITERACY - One of the most important elements of our curriculum is a focus on Early Literacy. These skills develop in the first five years of life and your child's early experiences with books and language lay the foundation for success in learning to read. Miss Becky’s Literacy Adventure is taught weekly in each full day classroom by our school Librarian. Each session is interwoven with the classroom’s lesson plan and includes story time, music and movement, and dramatic play.
Kindergarten The Best Preparation for First Grade Kindergarten is not the time to put a play-based curriculum behind. Our philosophy of a child-centered education is the best preparation for an elementary school program. Starting in first grade, most curriculums do not take in account the different learning styles of children. Kindergarten is often the last year that a child has the opportunity to flourish under a child-centered curriculum that addresses the varied pace of learning and how each child learns best. Our Kindergarten curriculum includes an emphasis on literacy skills in reading and writing, math and science, foreign language, art and music, physical education, and health and nutrition. We also make use of the latest SmartBoard TM technology and computer stations to further engage children’s enthusiasm for learning.
Featured Programs Foreign language, literacy and music classes are enhancements to our curriculum that are rarely seen in a preschool program. Our curriculum enhancements promote the development of language and literacy in young children to ensure their success in acquiring early reading skills. Curriculum Enhancements SPANISH FOR TODDLERS – Introductory course designed to expose children to a new language. Children learn everyday greetings, colors, numbers, songs, celebrations and stories in Spanish. Spanish For Toddlers is included for full day 2 1/2 and three-year-old students, and half day four-year-old students. EXPRESATE – “Express Yourself ” is our Spanish Language course based upon a total immersion model with a native Spanish speaker. Expresate is included for full day four-yearold and kindergarten students, and offered as a supplement for full day three-year-olds and half day three and four-year-olds. MISS WENDY’S MUSIC CLASS - Music is an important part of our daily classroom curriculum. In addition, Miss Wendy’s Music Class is offered weekly in all full day classes as a creative enhancement of the daily learning environment. Lessons are built around the lessons and skill progress of each class. Children are introduced to basic musical concepts such as rhythm, tempo, dynamics, and patterns. A variety of instruments and props are used to enhance the creative experience. Lessons include music from new and familiar cultures and genres. Above all, each class is playful and exciting. The goal is to instill a lifelong love of music! MISS BECKY’S LITERACY ADVENTURE – Our Literacy program is taught by the school librarian in all full day classrooms. Each weekly session is interwoven with the classroom’s lesson plan and includes story time, music and movement, and dramatic play.
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, such as dance, science, music, art and tumbling, are offered outside of the regular classroom, most often in our Multi-purpose room. These programs encourage children to explore new interests, develop new skills, and make new friends from other classrooms. LUNCH BUDDIES is our lunchtime enrichment program available daily for our Half Day and Mother’s Morning Out students. It includes a nutritious lunch, crafts, free play, and story time. It also serves as an ideal transition between students’ regular classes and afternoon enrichment programs. MOTHER’S MORNING OUT (MMO) is available for families in need of flexible care or to ease a child’s transition to another classroom when space becomes available. MMO is offered weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until Noon for children ages 12 to 30 months. SUMMER OF DISCOVERY is a fun-filled curriculum in June and July offering a relaxed summertime “discovery” of interactive themes. Summer of Discovery is included in a Full Day 12 month program and is optional for Half Day and Mother’s Morning Out students.
Your Child’s Day What adults consider play is really the work children do throughout the day. Play contributes to the building of fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, sensory, social and emotional skills. Our classrooms support their development through the use of learning centers, including music, dramatic play, art, science, manipulatives, and blocks.
Play is your Child’s Daily “Work” Young children thrive on schedules. A toddler may not be able to tell time yet, but they know one thing usually follows another. It makes them feel safe and secure to know what is expected of them and what they may expect in their day.
MORNING FREE PLAY – begins the day. The children play independently and in spontaneously formed groups as they choose from different learning centers of developmentally appropriate materials and toys, such as play dough, puzzles, dress-up, puppets, and a wide assortment of building blocks. CIRCLE TIME – (Large Group) is when the teachers introduce weekly themes and the day’s events. Discussions on weather, the calendar, and the World-Around-Us introduce children to math, science, and letters. The children sing songs, listen to stories, and share their experiences. SMALL GROUPS – allow teachers to work closely with children across all developmental areas on an activity or project. Daily arts and crafts activities promote fine motor skills and encourage creativity.
LARGE MOTOR PLAY – is outside, weather permitting, where the children run, jump, swing, ride bikes and play in the sand. When inside, they play in the Multi-purpose room with age appropriate climbers and manipulatives. SNACK AND LUNCH TIME – more than just eating – is a social time too. In addition, children are taught to set up and clean up their own meals. LARGE MOTOR PLAY – is repeated either outdoors or in the Multi-Purpose room. AFTERNOON FREE PLAY – is the time when children can finish a project or self-select a new activity, such as sitting down with a book or playing with other classmates. STORY TIME – can occur at any time throughout the day, but it is especially enjoyed at the end of each day to relax with fellow classmates before heading off to home. Your child’s security and safety are of utmost importance. Parents and caregivers are required to escort their children through our main lobby security doors and sign in each day with their classroom teachers.
Nutrition A cornerstone to our program is providing proper nutrition for building healthy minds and bodies. Our chef prepares all lunches and snacks to ensure that children receive a nutritious and allergy-safe menu. This includes the serving of organic milk as a standard, fresh or frozen vegetables, and whole grain products. We strive to accommodate special requests for preferred menus due to religious practices or health requirements. Mealtime is not only a time to eat, but a time to learn as well. We teach “family-style” dining that encourages cooperation and sharing at the table.
Environment
Our school is known for its beautiful children’s gardens that each classroom plants, maintains and harvests. Teachers utilize the gardens in their outdoor classroom curriculum to engage children on topics such as the environment, ecology, nature and nutrition.
PADIA
– Parents Association of Daniel Island Academy
PADIA was formed to improve our children’s development by assisting the school staff and teachers in these efforts. Throughout the year, PADIA organizes a number of social events, which have included a Fall Family Festival, Spring Luau, and special events in the classroom. PADIA also organizes philanthropic efforts on behalf of the school to engage the children and their families in community outreach.
To schedule a private tour, please call 843.971.5961 You may also contact us through our website’s “Information and Tours” link at www.danielislandacademy.com The ideals of early childhood development of Dr. George William Brumley were our inspiration in creating the school and its programs. Dr. Brumley was a renowned pediatrician, medical researcher, philanthropist, and the former co-director of the Division of Prenatal Medicine at Duke University Medical Center and the Pediatric Department Chair of Emory University School of Medicine.
Please visit our web site at www.danielislandacademy.com P: 843.971.5961 f. 843.375.2111 Daniel Island Academy is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
As a part of the City of Charleston, Daniel Island is located in the center of the region between Mt. Pleasant and North Charleston. Daniel Island is easily accessible from Highway 526 and within a short drive of Historic Charleston and the East Cooper area, including Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan's Island and the Isle of Palms.
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