VT MOM Guide for Schools for Young Learners

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2020

ermont V Guide to

Schools for Young Learners

AGES 2-5 PRE-K

AGES 5+ KINDERGARTEN & BEYOND

...where learning is rooted in relationships CONNECTION + ENGAGEMENT + REFLECTION

Holistic Education The Bellwether School has a holistic approach to educating our students. This approach recognizes the interconnected nature of a child’s learning and development. It is integrative and its highest goal is the cultivation of relationships between and within the learner and their world. We support and are responsive to each child’s whole development and we draw forth the intrinsic motivation of each child so that learning becomes an interactive process that values imagination, creativity, and joy.

Burlington Gan Yeladim Preschool Gan Yeladim Preschool embraces a Reggio Emilia philosophy, encouraging children to explore our spacious, well-equipped classrooms and expansive natural playground while enjoying cooperative play with peers and experiencing art, music, dramatic play, literature, science, math, movement, and more in a nurturing and supportive environment. Judaism is incorporated naturally throughout the day.

Gan Yeladim Preschool offers a full or school year early childhood program for children ages two months to five years of age.

The Homestead believes in the

Ages 2 -5

unique spirit of each child. We believe that it is our role to honor this by providing a balanced program that incorporates child-

Open 7:30 - 5:30

Unique, open, bright

classrooms

centered exploration with teacherdirected guidance to make new

Separate classrooms

experiences and concepts available

including, art, kitchen, library

to the children. Our gently

& explortion science lab

structured day provides security for the children in its consistency.

Half-day options available

FOR ALL AGES!

& South Burlington Heartworks, STEAMworks, and Loveworks

are Open & Enrolling at All Locations!

Values

Mindfulness, manners, kindness, and respect are essential in our community.

Nature

We embrace every opportunity to connect with the world around us. Through science activities, physical education, or just playing, we spend time outdoors to help develop physical skills and life skills, as well as an interconnectedness with the Earth and all living things.

Developement

We engage in activities with clear curricular, instructional, and learning outcomes to prepare students for the next educational challenge.

Curriculum

We both rely on an essential knowledge base and embrace new topics and ideas in order to help develop critical thinking skills among students. Lessons and activities are presented in a fun, hands-on approach, encouraging a love for lifelong learning and discovery.

Arts Rich & Play-base

Your child will experience a high-quality artsrich, play-based program designed for joyful, authentic, and meaningful learning. They will thrive in an environment where they are respected as an artist, scientist, explorer, and contributor to our community .

Cultivating Curiosity

Our caring teachers will ignite your child’s sense of wonder about the world and their place in it. Experiences and activities are

MISSION

intentionally planned to spark creativity,

To enrich life by fostering the joy of creativity.

thinking, and reflection.

VISION Students, with the courage to live creatively, will design a world in which everyone thrives.

Purposeful Environment Carefully designed centers encourage your child’s independence and support their growth.

Engaging Activities Your child will try new things, increase in competence and gain confidence as they learn and develop.

Building Communities Social skills developed during early childhood provide a strong foundation for all learning. They will sustain and enrich your child throughout their life and will support them in developing heartfelt values such as empathy and respect for others.

Children who have a trusted relationship with their teachers and peers: - willing to ask questions - able to solve problems - confident in trying new tasks - safe to express their thoughts and feelings

Discover Davis

"It makes my heart feel all full to be at school." ~4-year-old member of the Davis School Community

Davis Studio Preschool is a 5 STAR (Vermont’s Step Ahead Recognition System) Act 166 qualified Pre-K program.

We serve students ages 2–5 years.

Full-day program hours are 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Monday–Friday, School day hours 8 a.m.–3 p.m., Monday through Friday, are also available.

Families can select 3, 4, or 5 days.

Our school year currently runs for 35 weeks and follows the South Burlington School District in regards to most vacation breaks and snow days.

Beginning fall of 2022 we plan to provide year-round care.

Discover the hottest topics!

Our courses are the building blocks of dream careers at companies like Google, EA, and Disney! It’s easy to add additional lessons or change topics at any time.

Discover Online Private Lessons 60-minute sessions with ultimate scheduling flexibility for your family's busy summer Exciting curriculum tailored to your child's interests and skill level Project-based course bundles that promote fast advancement and increased confidence (choose from single lessons or multi-packs) Post-session progress reports via email so you can track your child's success REMINDER! Your child can bring a sibling (or friend) to their sessions for free.

Get the brochure Check out the summer camps!

Our iD Certified Instructors When your child attends iD Tech, they’re in safe, capable hands. For 22 years, our family company has ensured the highest standards for our staff: Recruited from elite universities like Stanford, Caltech, and NYU Meticulous background and reference checks All-adult instructors, no high schoolers or CITs 100% USA-based employees, no independent contractors Proven pedagogy and rigorous training Adherence to American Camp Association accredited guidelines CPR/First Aid certification

At Burlington Forest School we believe in connecting children with nature so they can develop a sense of place and compassion for the natural world. We utilize an emergent, integrated curriculum to spark children’s interest and curiosity, and an inquiry-based teaching style in order to support their learning and development.

We support children to establish a sense of place and develop a respect for nature, while encouraging them to explore their interests and form positive relationships

Next Generation is a place for children to grow, learn, and play. Your children deserve nothing but the best, so bring them here for an inviting environment that encourages curiosity and fun. Children are our future, with only one chance for a strong start. Here they will grow, learn, and play in a natural inviting environment that encourages constant curiosity, challenge, and discovery.

Cupcake Preschool

A statewide nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that the children and youth in every Vermont community are able to benefit from the power Cupcake Preschool is now enrolling

of afterschool, summer learning,

children ages 3 to 5. Our preschool

and third space programs during the

is committed to providing quality

out-of-school time hours.

care to children and their families while supporting each child's intellectual, social, physical and moral development. Our center provides an enriching experience, which builds a foundation for lifelong learning.

The Kids & Fitness program offers a unique childcare experience for children 6 weeks to age twelve. The academic environment supports a child-centered, exploration-based philosophy that responds to the changing interests of each child. Our educators modify the curriculum and explore current developments in educational theory to ensure quality childcare.

At Christ the King we educate students from 25 different towns in Vermont!

Our diverse student body is comprised of children from many faiths and family backgrounds.

Each school day Christ the King School celebrates our mission statement: “to provide an excellent education in a Catholic community of love and care, to foster respect for self and others; and to nourish a lifelong devotion to God and the teachings of Jesus Christ” This mission is not only stated and heard, but more importantly are lived out in our interactions with fellow students, faculty, our families and all whom we meet.

We respect each child as an individual with the potential for growth and learning.

We provide loving care and we nurture each child's self-worth.

We offer many choices for the children.

We treat the children with respect.

We listen as well as talk to the children.

We offer an environment with a variety of experiences.

We believe in a child-centered model of care giving.

Stepping Stones is a beautiful Reggio Emilia-inspired, play-based preschool in the heart of Burlington’s South End. We work together with children to explore science, literacy, mathematical skills, and to create a strong social-emotional toolbox. Our team of dedicated early childhood professionals provides both part-time and full-time care and education in an environment following all COVID safety precautions, including facial coverings for staff, children and parents.

The foundations in the Mater Christi Preschool are Family, Faith and Community. Children are unique in how they perceive the world. Parents, grandparents, siblings, birth order, gender, learning style and culture are all important pieces to consider when encouraging a successful Preschool education experience and education the “whole child.” It is our hope that we can develop in each child a positive self image and a love of learning and going to school. In the 3-year-old Pre-School class, we provide many activities to do just that. Each activity that is presented to the children is a result of much planning. Children like to be actively involved. When more than one sense is used in teaching a task, learning is greatly improved.

The close

FINDING THE RIGHT

relationship between

MCS teachers and

parents makes the

school a natural

extension of our

family.

Williston

Where children play hard, get messy, and are loved fiercely

Our mission is to serve families by providing a secure preschool environment that promotes the physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development of children ages 3-5 years.

Williston Enrichment Center Building Futures, Enriching Lives

Playschool Nadeau’s Mission Statement: To create and implement a program that will provide a routine to allow for appropriate eating, sleeping, learning, and physical activities.

Nadeau’s Philosophy: Children need a “child-friendly” environment that is safe, caring and comfortable and will promote equally all areas of a child’s development.

...where learning is rooted in relationships CONNECTION

ENGAGEMENT

Learning starts as a connection. A spark. It

Once we have a connection with a person,

starts with the realization that something

place, or concept, we are intrinsically

inside of us needs to know more. When we

motivated to learn more. We engage with it. It

can see how gloriously things are

is through that deep and rich engagement that

intertwined with one another, we are

we start to form our understanding: we draw

ready for learning. At Bellwether, students,

conclusions, we make hypotheses, we build on

teachers, and parents are invited to notice

previous knowledge, and develop new

their connections, to discuss them, and to

questions to encourage new opportunities for

ask questions. We become a true

learning and connection.

community of learners seeking understanding.

Holistic Education

REFLECTION

At Bellwether, self and group reflection is an integral part of every day. It is through that reflection that we begin to examine our own relationship to what we have learned and experienced. We think about the impact of an experience, the emotional connection we might have had as well as how we approached the encounter. We consider how the new understanding and the act of learning itself may change us in both learning and life.

Our school environment encourages trust and independence. Interactions between teachers, children, and families are based on kindness, mutual respect, and acceptance. Our goal is to enhance your child’s self-esteem and excitement for learning in every phase of life at Children Unlimited.

Our vision is to provide a high-quality, child-centered environment that honors children and families, is creative and kind, rich in self-discovery, value-oriented, allows us to nurture a connected family / child / teacher relationship, and enables us to foster the whole child's development by honoring their unique needs, temperaments and strengths.

Why Heartworks?

We see each child as a developing, unique individual and we provide a safe, joyful space for each child to grow to his or her best potential. We truly honor the spirit of each child which has been a core component of Heartworks for over 30 years.

Heartworks Williston Campus

Essex &

The STEAMworks preschool program, designed for children ranging from 2 years through 5 years, will introduce children to important concepts and spark their natural curiosity in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Students will learn from and be led by a highly knowledgeable and experienced team of early childhood educators who bring a passion for their craft and enthusiasm for teaching young children.

Essex Junction

Reach for the Stars is a Vermont state-licensed facility offering quality childcare services since 2013. A close relationship between parents and staff is necessary for us to provide the best possible care for your child. It is important that we have frequent discussions regarding your child's adjustment and progress. Our objective is to create a comfortable, enjoyable, relaxed, atmosphere while giving responsible supervision to your child with healthy, wholesome growth and educational experiences.

Growing With Wonder’s philosophy is centered

around

relationship-based, multi-age,

a

play

and

child-centered,

arts-enriched

emergent

curriculum approach that recognizes its students, families, and staff as thoughtful, capable, and invaluable contributors to the local community, and world at large.

Muddy Hands Preschool

Green Mountain

MONTESSORI SCHOOL

The Green Mountain Montessori's mission is to provide a stimulating, caring and healthy environment that guides children to reach their fullest potential – becoming responsible, independent and creative individuals who are aware and proud of whom they are.

At Muddy Hands Preschool, our mission consists of providing a warm and nurturing environment where children feel safe. We strive to provide families with access to high quality, and affordable care in an environment that sets children up to be lifelong learners by providing the opportunity, to learn through nature, exploration, curiosity, and play while supporting each child's unique developmental and emotional needs.

Little Ones University "Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work."

John Trainer M.D.

Our PreK classroom focuses more on preparing children to enter Kindergarten, fostering a love of learning and strong independence skills. We work to implement a curriculum that honors each child’s individual needs, while also honoring their needs to play and explore their surroundings.

Jericho SHS cares most that your child is successful and happy. We believe every child is eager and ready to learn at an individual level. Our curriculum reflects that individuality and offers many ways for children to challenge and extend themselves through a broad range of experiences. We do not differentiate between play and work. Play is a child’s work. Indoors or out, sitting still or moving vigorously, every experience is an opportunity to learn.

What is a parent cooperative?

As a member of a parent cooperative preschool, you and your family are partners in your child’s education. In addition to being involved in the classroom and working closely with our teaching staff, families also share in the responsibility for the school’s operation and administration. While it is true that a parent co-op requires more parent involvement than a traditional preschool, the reward is a deep involvement in your child’s first school experiences and a unique sense of community with the staff and other families at Saxon Hill School.

Poker Hill School

At Poker Hill School we view learning developmentally. It is a process that we can nurture and guide but we trust each child to develop in his or her own unique way. We support each child’s growth as an autonomous individual within a caring and democratic community. We strive to make each child feel respected and valued. Teachers facilitate children’s growth by encouraging the children to make significant decisions to direct their own path of learning.

A farm can be a school - a school can be a farm.

We believe that access to the natural world inspires children’s sense of wonder.

We spend a lot of time outdoors in our extensive playground, exploring the rich natural environment of our fields, woods, ponds, and stream.

Shelburne

Early Childhood Program Overview

Guided by Waldorf principles, we honor the natural learning impulse in every child. Infusing beauty and creativity into all subjects, we look beyond end goals like test scores and report cards. Curiosity and inquisitiveness are not just means but ends in themselves.

Our Robins Nest Nursery and multi-age Preschool & Kindergarten programs at Lake Champlain Waldorf School build on the natural wonder and curiosity of young children. Our experienced teachers create a sanctuary where imagination—the first tool of problem solving—thrives.

& Charlotte Adventures in Early Learning In

our

mixed-age

school-age/prekindergarten class,

all

children

learn

academic and social skills at their own pace with guidance from skilled and seasoned

licensed

early

educators.

Group work is combined with individual projects and lots of deep and meaningful play to spark curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

The Shelburne Nursery School's mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment, which encourages children to develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically.

Parent involvement plays a large role in a child's educational success. Parents are a part of the organization and administration of the school.

At Vermont Day School, our emphasis is not on memorizing content, but rather on developing creative thinking and problemsolving skills. Our curriculum incorporates contemporary themes, with an eye toward the future. We emphasize personal traits and work habits that contribute to effective learning and life skills.

We are a play-based center which means that we believe that children’s play is their work. And the role of the early childhood educator is to guide and enhance that play. We constantly strive to meet the highest standards for the early childhood profession.

Heartworks Pre-School Shelburne Campus

At Heartworks Preschools, we are truly engaging in the “Work of the Heart;” our name reflects our commitment to provide a nurturing academic, social, and emotional experience for each child. We build on children’s natural curiosity about their world, with programs designed to enrich each child with a passion for learning, faith in the goodness of humanity, a deep connection with the natural world, and a strong sense of character development such as compassion for all living things.

Hinesburg Community involvement is built into our mission to engage kids. Recent examples include a Bingo with local seniors where our after school kids imagined, then created the Bingo cards and finally spent an afternoon visiting a local senior center to chat and play!

We employ licensed early childhood teachers, and all of our lead teachers have professional degrees in early childhood education.

& Richmond

HNS is a non-­profit, parent-cooperative preschool for children ages three­to five. Located in the heart of Hinesburg, we have been serving local families for over 35 years.

We emphasize a play­-oriented approach to learning. We provide a supportive environment where preschoolers develop an awareness of themselves as individuals and as part of a community.

Richmond Campus We respect each child as an individual with the potential for growth and learning.

We provide loving care and we nurture each child's self-worth.

Our programs are developed to provide an all-encompassing educational environment in which each child can succeed. We strive to prepare a child for real life experiences and help

Community involvement is built into our mission to engage kids. Recent examples include a Bingo with local

each child grow more aware of all he/she is capable of achieving.

seniors where our after school kids imagined, then created the Bingo cards and finally spent an afternoon visiting a local senior center to chat and play!

Programs for Residents After School Programs for Visitors Programs for Hotels Summer Camp

Stowe & Waterbury Heartworks Stowe Campus Heartworks in Stowe began in 2014. Our school was previously the Stowe Cooperative, whose 40-year history qualified it as one of the oldest preschool co-operatives in Vermont.

One of the most important things about VMS is our commitment to getting children outdoors, no matter what. We brave the rain, snow, ice, sleet, mud, wind, and anything else that mother nature throws at us. We're in Vermont and dedicated to raising children that understand the weather, appreciate all of the elements and

The school has two classrooms and offers

know-how to prepare themselves to be safe,

programs for two-year-olds through five-

comfortable, and happy.

year-olds.

Vergennes It is our Belief that …

An emergent curriculum, developed in response to children’s questions and interests, ensures a connection to and ownership of their knowledge. Curriculum and learning objectives should be based upon solid, educational philosophy and evidence-based, early childhood practices.

Our Programs: We offer 2 programs for children ages 3 to 5. Each program enrolls 17 children. Children must be 3 years old by September 1st of the current school year to attend.

We welcome you and your child to the Ark Preschool/Kindergarten. While your child is enrolled in our program, he/she will be provided quality education with developmentally appropriate social skills. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, political belief, or religion of parents. All the staff at the ArkPreschool/Kindergarten will be working for the best interests of your child and for their welfare.

Full-Day 8:30am-3:00pm Half Day 8:30am-11:30am

& Middlebury Quarry Hill School is committed to providing a safe environment conducive to learning, cooperation, creative self-expression, social . responsibility, mutual respect, teamwork, and community involvement for preschool and school-age children.

The Middlebury Cooperative Nursery School The curriculum at the Nursery School is not conventional or fixed but supports the importance of play. The curriculum evolves depending on the interests of children, teachers, and families.

The Middlebury Cooperative Nursery School, known locally as the Nursery School, is an early childhood program designed for children ages 3-5. Housed in a 1900’s tworoom school house, the program is divided loosely by age, 3-year-olds and younger 4year-olds in one classroom and older 4-yearolds and 5-year-olds in the other classroom.

There is significant interaction between the two classrooms throughout the day.

Welcome to Bridge School Beginners! Addison County’s only preschool program attached to an independent elementary school!

Bridge School’s preschool is child-centered and play-based and follows social constructivist educational theory. Our emphasis is on the natural world, the community around us, and respectful interactions with each other.

Students have access to our school facilities, such as our gym, greenhouse, workshop and large, outdoor play space. Preschoolers also have regular, meaningful interactions with Bridge elementary school students, and benefit from our school programmings such as plays, musical performances, special events, and traditions. Bridge Beginners is rated 4 out of 5 STARS, and is qualified for Universal Pre-K funding.

FINDING THE RIGHT

5-Day Program, 8am-3:30pm 4-Day Program, 8am-3:30pm 3-Day Program, 8am-3:30pm

Daily Aftercare Program, 3:30-5:00pm

Otter Creek Child Center is a welcoming community for families with children ages 5 years old and younger.

Otter Creek provides a safe, nurturing environment where families feel comfortable leaving their little ones, to explore, wonder, learn, and grow.

Lincoln LINCOLN COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL

The Lincoln Cooperative Preschool (LCP)’s cooperative nature is a powerful tool in both the execution of the school’s philosophy and operation.

By participating in the various aspects of LCP, the parent community ensures the school’s financial well-being and spirit.

Saint What makes pre-school fun? What makes a child want to learn? Our safe and enriching program focuses on all aspects of creative learning. Hands-on activities encompass exciting monthly

St. Albans Campus

themes which include nutrition, cooking, holidays, Vermont history and safety, to name just a few.

We believe that children thrive in an environment which values their own uniqueness, while providing support and opportunities to grow emotionally, socially and creatively. By building on each child’s strengths, interests and curiosities, we guide each child to explore the world around them.

Albans PJ's Childcare Center

At PJ’s Childcare Center our mission is to provide high-quality childcare by nurturing the whole child in areas of physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and cognitive development.

Saint The mission of the Riverside School is to develop active learners, patient

Early Childhood Program Overview

leaders, and engaged citizens in a supportive community.

"Children are strong, rich, and capable. All children have preparedness, potential, curiosity, and interest in constructing their learning, negotiating with everything their environment brings them.”

— Reggio Emilia

The environment is designed to act as a third teacher and will provide children with the opportunity to create, explore, and learn about the world around them. Our space is valued by the child, teachers, and families. The classroom layout is carefully arranged to provide an abundance of opportunities for communication to occur and relationships to be built. As well as space to be alone to develop self-awareness.

Johnsbury Flexible enrollment options that meet your schedule and align with your child's developmental pace. We offer 2, 3, 4, or 5 days/week enrollment options.

We believe children are born with a desire to explore and understand the natural world, and that early experiences with nature set a precedent for lifelong learning and well-being. We are committed to supporting and building on every child's innate interest in exploring the natural world.

Take a Virtual Tour

Our Mission: Good Shepherd Catholic School prepares students for a life of learning, service, compassion, personal excellence and faith in God.

What does it mean if a preschool has

NAEYC's national, voluntary accreditation system has set professional standards for early childhood education programs and helped families identify high-quality programs for their young children. This organization gives accreditation to outstanding early childhood education programs. Heartworks Burlington, Shelburne B, Shelburne C, and Williston are NAEYC accredited.

Heartworks Stowe and STEAMworks are currently going through the NAEYC process and expects to be completed in 2019 and then all six schools will be NAEYC accredited.

STARS is Vermont’s STep Ahead Recognition System for Child Care, Early Education, and Afterschool Programs, and is a quality initiative of The Child Development Division, The Department for Children and Families, The Agency of Human Services, and The Department of Education. STARS recognizes accomplishments and activities that go above and beyond state regulations. Four of the schools have received a 5-star rating (the highest), one has a 4star rating, and STEAMworks being a new school in 2017 has a 3star rating.

All children are affected by exposure to environmental hazards. It is our responsibility as a society to enable all children to grow up in a safe and healthful environment. Because all children are growing and developing, they are uniquely vulnerable to health effects caused by exposure to environmental hazards. The multitude of hazards facing children should be addressed in unison and placed within the context of a child's life. A child's physical environment is not separate from social and cultural issues. Solutions to environmental problems should be viewed within that context.

s one or more of these accreditations?

A member of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), a non-profit, statewide business trade organization with a mission to advance business ethics that value multiple bottom lines- economic, social, and environmental.

All children are affected by exposure to environmental hazards. It is our responsibility as a society to enable all children to grow up in a safe and healthful environment. Because all children are growing and developing, they are uniquely vulnerable to health effects caused by exposure to environmental hazards. The multitude of hazards facing children should be addressed in unison and placed within the context of a child's life. A child's physical environment is not separate from social and cultural issues. Solutions to environmental problems should be viewed within that context.

About Vermont Mom: Vermont Mom is a locally-focused parenting resource for moms and families. Passionate about parenting and our community, Vermont Mom strives to connect area moms to relevant resources, local businesses, can’t-miss happenings, and most of all — each other!

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