Tips and resources to support children birth to age five
Best preschool programs
I need advise I am just starting my daycare and I am trying to find the best preschool programs for ages 2-5 does anyone have any advice or ones that they would recommend?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Erin Okuno on -
Hi Heather,
What area are you in? Child Care Resource & Referral Network can help you connect with your local network of child care providers. There are a few R&R members on the Early Learning Network, you can probably connect with a few of them on this website too.
I would also recommend connecting with your local library, they may have connections for you and perhaps even STARS training classes that you can take part in.
Our Getting School Ready publication may also give you some ideas and is a great information guide for families, www.gettingschoolready.org.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Erin Okuno on
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Hi Heather,
This group may be able to help you connect with other around high quality child care: http://www.earlylearningcommunity.org/group/washingtonstatechildcar....
Erin
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Permalink Reply by Pam Wolfe on -
Heather, you probably already have your curriculum, but consider a brain-based computerized program as an augmentation for the 4-5 year olds. I experimented with a small class in a preschool setting and it was phenomenally helpful with language and reading skills. The regular teacher was pleased at the progress they made, not only in their language and reading skills, but their behavior patterns were altered because they were better able to comprehend verbal directions. There are computers just for small hands now and grants to obtain them and the programs. The initial investment is pricey, but with the new goals of early learning, grants should be easier to obtain. The one I use wasis Fast ForWord by Scientific Learning. It takes 1/2 hour a day and the kids love it, because it is in a game format that they can relate to. It also gets them ready for K by giving them experience on the computer.
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Permalink Reply by Tim Ryan on -
I would recommend any of the Bellevue College programs and Red gate Preschool on the Plateau, the best!!!
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Permalink Reply by Josie Peterson on
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Are you looking for a curriculum? If so, you should look into Creative Curriculum.
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Permalink Reply by Heidi Scott on -
Am I understanding you right, are you starting your own Early Learning Program?
If you are, have you ever heard of the Reggio Emilia Approach to Education? This is an Early Learning form of Constructivism in the country of Italy. If you haven't already heard of this approach you may want to check out this book titled, "The Hundred Languages of Children", By Carolyn Edwards, Lella Gandini and George Forman.
I don't know what educational theories you are interested in applying to your Early Learning Program, but I have used this approach when I taught preschool and absolutely loved every aspect of the program and learned a lot not only about my young students, but I learned a great deal about myself as a Teacher.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Michelle Coleman on -
I work at the Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center, where we have two preschools. I don't work in the preschools, but I stop by to visit whenever I can because I'm continually impressed with the structure, organization, and planning that goes into each class. They change 'themes' every month or so and have a structured schedule with variation in the types of activities that fall under each time slot. They use the Creative Curriculum and one utilizes the Reggio Emilia philosophy. It's great to see the kids' excitement about learning!
If you're interested in more details, the website is www.hsdc.org, and then you click on Early Childhood Education. There is staff contact info there if you have specific questions. Good luck!
:) Michelle
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