Before School
The morning program is designed to provide a relaxed and calm atmosphere where independence and choice are encouraged. The center opens at 7:00 A.M. A menu of the week’s breakfast and snack is posted on the parent bulletin board. Children sit together and eat breakfast.
During the morning hours, children can relax in preparation for their transition to the classroom, put finishing touches on their homework, or socialize with their friends. Staff has set up activity areas for the children which include puzzles, drawing, table games, homework and reading areas. Staff members interact with children and gather a group for story time or demonstrate a new craft activity. As the start of the school day approaches, children are encouraged to help clean up and put away materials. Children are dismissed from the program at the bell and wished a good day.
Kindergarten Enrichment
Our curriculum is designed around the creation of a child-centered, responsive environment. The curriculum allows for child choice among developmentally appropriate, appealing activities. The staff fosters independence by helping them learn skills needed for cooperation and problem solving and discouraging competition for adult approval and dependence on adult direction to solve every problem.
This also means our program has:
-Predictable routines and procedures
-Varied, developmentally appropriate materials and equipment
-The PA Early Learning Standards as a guideline for all themes and lessons
-Rooms organized around interest areas/activities
-Systematic approach to planning.
The Kindergarten Enrichment Program establishes environments that are familiar and comfortable to children, that facilitate individual growth and development, and that are responsive to individual differences in abilities, interests, cultural backgrounds, and linguistic styles. We provide a caring, stimulating, and safe environment in which children can learn through active exploration and interaction with concrete materials, adults, and other children. Interactions and activities are designed to develop children’s self esteem and positive feelings towards learning.
In collaboration with the regular school program, Montgomery Early Learning Centers’ program allows for increased interaction with materials and activities and focuses on the development of more independent work habits and an enhanced ability to follow directions. MELC will encourage joint planning and cooperation between our staff and the children’s elementary teachers to meet the school district’s Kindergarten goals in the areas of:
Language arts
Science and Technology
Social Living
Wellness and Fitness
Mathematical Experiences
Arts and Humanities
Music
Home Economics
Our program environment is designed so that children may select many of their own activities among a variety of learning areas including dramatic play, blocks, science, math, games and puzzles, books, recordings, art, and music. Children develop their understanding of mathematical concepts by playing games, and solving real problems such as block building, measuring sand and water, sorting and classifying objects, and other similar activities. Children learn about the natural world as they observe, experiment, and interact with real objects such as animals, plants, soil, water or magnets. The computer is also integrated into the program and curriculum as one more interest area for child choice. Appropriate software and staff oversight ensure the correct and safe use of the computer.
After School
Children have been in school all day. Their energy level can be compared to a tightly wound spring waiting to be released. The after school program is geared to children emerging from a long school day. The program itself replaces neither the home nor the school, but compliments both, augmenting and enriching what these other institutions provide. The activities must be meaningful, appropriate, educational, and especially fun.
The indoor space is divided into small work areas, separated by screens, shelves, crates or tables. Areas are designated for large muscle games and dancing, science, table games, and art activities. Dramatic play props are set out, and quiet corners or soft spaces provide areas for relaxation, reading and homework. A computer will also be available to the children so they are able to play games, do homework, and work on their computer skills.
A healthy, hearty snack will be served family style to help foster the feeling of companionship. During snack, staff will review the activities for the day. A weekly schedule of activities and special events is always posted on the parent bulletin board. Children may choose to play outside or stay inside to work on a special art activity or play a table game. The staff takes the time to engage children in dialogues and participates in their activities. There is on going supervision of children at the playground or for those engaged in other outside activities.
Around 5:15 P.M. staff and children begin to clean up and organize the program materials. During this transition time from program to home, children may work on homework, read, or play table games. As parents arrive and they sign out their children, the staff members greet them and share a story or anecdote about their child’s day. Staff may also share information about upcoming events or availability of special services needed. By 6:00 P.M. all materials are put away and the last child has left.
The program takes advantage of full days and in-service days for special events or guests. Through the use of outside skilled artists, teachers, and practiontioners, children will continue to be exposed to French lessons, music and movement specialists, and science activities with “The Science Guy”. These types of enhancements, as well as new ones to be determined, bring variety and enrichment to the program and expose the children to new and different people.