Overview

At Valley, the Early Childhood Program includes children ages four through ten.  Children learn in an atmosphere that is caring and supportive, where self-esteem is nurtured and individual excellence is encouraged.  Children are grouped developmentally rather than by grade.  Classrooms of six to ten students are multi-aged.  The age range for groups is two or three chronological years.  This allows placement decisions based on the emotional, social, physical and academic development of the child.  While our teachers can adjust academic curriculum in any classroom, we feel the rate of emotional, social and physical development cannot be hurried.

 

Objectives

The general objectives of the Early Childhood Program are to help children:

 

Feel valued both as an individual and as a member of his/her group.

 

Learn to plan their day, organize work, and complete work on time.

 

See the significance of their work for the future as well as the present.

 

Make decisions and choices, and deal responsibly with the consequences of those choices.

 

Become actively engaged in the learning process through a variety of experiences.

 

Become motivated, independent learners.