Early Childhood Program

“Standards are an essential first step for designing effective curricula since they represent an agreed upon agenda for teaching and learning. The Perkins International Academy of Excellence  Early Learning Standards Kindergarten are excellent because they recognize the interconnectedness of emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development and learning—the whole child. Like all good standards, they should be used as the base for reflective teachers as they create learning experiences that build on what children already know and capture their interest in learning.”

When we planned the Perkins International Academy of Excellence early childhood program, we asked of questions:

  1. Who will staff the early childhood program?
  2. How will the classroom look?
  3. What is the best way to group the children?
  4. What will the day be like for the children?
  5. What will be the role of parents?

The answers to these questions determined the quality of our program, based on the following premises:

  1. Young children learn best through active, engaged, meaningful learning.
  2. Young children learn best in an early childhood program that is developmentally appropriate.
  3. Young children learn best in an early childhood environment that is appropriate for their age and stage of development.
  4. Young children benefit from a consistent routine or daily schedule in the early childhood classroom.
  5. Young children learn best when the school develops a sense of community for all participants.
  6. Young children function best in early childhood programs that value and reinforce continuity.
  7. Young children benefit from early childhood programs that provide a careful transition from preschool to kindergarten and from kindergarten to the primary grades.
  8. Young children learn best when they are with teachers who consider them and respond to them as individuals.
    Using these premises as a foundation, planning and organizing for an effective early childhood program should emphasize five factors: quality staff, suitable environment, appropriate grouping, consistent schedules, and parent involvement.

The reason for the investment is simple: Any thing for our children....they're worth it.