Safari Childcare is a licensed preschool whose curriculum is designed to promote character education and kindergarten-readiness. Each classroom consists of permanent and flexible learning centers. Learning centers are clearly defined and arranged to promote independence, decision making and encourage social involvement. Children will have options for active and quiet play. All of our classrooms have age-appropriate materials which stimulate a child’s natural curiosity to learn.
Safari Childcare recognizes children are learning constantly; it is the nature of growth. Our duty as caregivers and educators is to provide experiences which support and enhance this natural process. Piaget and Erikson each illustrated unique stages of growth to define how child development occurs. Their philosophies are incorporated into our: classroom structures, lesson plans, child assessments and daily interactions with the children.
Each program at Safari Childcare offers learning experiences which enhance socialization and emphasize important preparation skills for the future. Social/self-help skills, gross-fine motor skills and cognitive learning skills are also developed and enriched. Children learn skills through "hands-on" activities and by sharing new experiences. Children will learn to develop their feelings making new friends and exploring their own learning environment.
Social/Self-Help Skills: Developed through: art, dramatic play, center time activities and group / sharing time.
Gross/Fine Motor Skills: Developed through activities such as: painting, writing, coloring, finger plays, cutting, puzzles, dancing, jumping and outdoor play activities.
Cognitive Learning Skills: Developed through songs, poems, finger plays, flannel board stories, books, math and science activities, current events, and food experiences.
Each week consists of a new curriculum theme. Parents are encouraged to view the calendars and lesson plans in order to know more about your child's day.
In addition to our comprehensive curriculum, we also conduct child assessments throughout the year in order to provide feedback to you, the parent, about your child's development. These assessments include developmental guidelines based upon your child's age. Teachers spend time in small groups or one-on-one with your child determining their skill level and perhaps identifying areas where your child may need additional focus. The assessment portfolios are discussed during parent teacher conferences twice a year. Conferences promote consistency in learning between school and home by providing an opportunity for you, the parent, to take an active role in your child's development.
As educators and caregivers, it is our responsibility to make sure children transition through these stages with positive experiences. We provide for the physical and emotional needs of infants. We never scold, but positively encourage toddlers and preschoolers, training them in self-help skills; and we provide an environment which allows children to make mistakes, encourages them to succeed, and fosters self-esteem. We recognize each child as an individual and find ways to stimulate their development in a way that works for them. We strive to encourage children to reach and achieve these developmental milestones and can offer additional resources for parents in the event the child needs assistance.
We recognize that there's no cookie-cutter approach to development. Each child is unique, and develops at his or her own pace. We do, however, look for signs that each child is progressing along a sequence of significant developmental benchmarks. These benchmarks allow the teachers and caregivers to approach each child at the appropriate developmental level.
