Programs
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world". Nelson Mandela
Infant Program (4 weeks to 15 months)
The emphasis of the infant program is the development of relationships between the children and their caregivers. Positive teacher-child relationships promote children's social competence and emotional development. It is the teachers' responsibility to encourage the infant to participate in non-verbal actions that promote the child's persistence and efforts and acknowledge their efforts. The infants are at an age when development of trust and autonomy are of primary importance. Due to the COVID crisis we implement additional precautions as required by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and CDC guidelines throughout the day, such as teachers wearing smocks, face masks and/or face shields and children use their individual barriers (receiving blankets) when being held. Baby swings, chair/bouncer are sanitized and air dried prior to another infant using it.
Toddler Program (15 months to 2.9 years)
The toddler program focuses on establishing a solid foundation in their emotional development and ability to relate well to others as children carry that foundation with them into their future lives and educationally. Scaffolding is introduced at this age to ultimately support independence in the learning process as well as in all areas of development. Toddlers are introduced to play environments, routines and grouping (playing with more than one child). Anti-bias curriculum is introduced at this stage and continued to preschool environments. The curriculum encompasses the following domains;
1) Language 2) Literacy 3) Mathematics 4) Science and Technology 5) Social Studies 6) Social Emotional 7) Cognitive 8) Physical & Movement 9) the Arts. These domains are carried throughout and continued to the preschool level. Additional precautions have been implemented as required by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and CDC due to COVID 19: Teachers wear smocks during children's personal hygiene; face masks and or face shields are worn all day; cots are apart by 6 feet during rest time; toys are sanitized and air dried prior to other children/groups play with them. Children have designated seating for mealtimes.
Curriculum
The curriculum consists of Developmentally Appropriate activities and Learning experiences. The curriculum consists of nine (9) educational domains which the teachers encompass most areas in the course of one day. The domains are as follows; 1) Language 2) Literacy 3) Mathematics 4) Science & Technology 5) Social Studies 6) Social Emotional 7) Cognitive 8) Physical & Movement 9) The Arts.
All children are assessed every 3 to 6 months on their development and progression of learning.
Pre-School Program (2.9 months to 6 years)
The pre-school program encompasses all domains of learning; 1) Language 2) Literacy 3) Mathematics 4) Science & Technology 5) Social Studies
6) Social & Emotional 7) Cognitive 8) Physical & Movement 9) the Arts. The staff provide activities that enable your child to foster an eagerness for learning and exploring all topics, along with demonstrating pro-social behaviors such as teamwork, respect for diversity and empathy and acquire logical thinking and verbal communication skills. In the pre-school program children are encouraged to develop their pre-writing and pre-reading skills through hands-on activities including classification, observations, comparison, estimation and problem solving. Teachers apply best practices by offering child-guided and adult guided experiences. These experiences are essential in early language and literacy development. Additional EEC and CDC guidelines have been added to our daily routine to include staff wearing face masks at all times, frequent hand washing or the use of hand sanitizer. Children who can tolerate and handle the use of a face mask are required to use one. Maintain as much social distancing as possible (6 feet apart) during prolonged activities due to COVID 19.
Outdoor Play Activities
Children are provided with experiences that enhance their sensory skills and creativity through activities such as sand and water play. The playground has structures for gross-motor play as well as opportunities for pretend play.
Snacks
Children are provided with two nutritious snacks per day. Since food and nutrition are important components of a child's development, ELA emphasizes serving fresh and natural snacks.
Early Learning Academy
831 Mt. Pleasant Street
New Bedford, MA 02745
774-762-4970