Our curriculum is negotiated and project based. Our teachers observe and document the children’s conversations, patterns of play and social interactions to determine their interests. This process serves as a foundation for the building of a project based curriculum.  When a topic of interest has been determined the children and teachers work together to formulate a plan to investigate all the possibilities the subject has to offer. The teachers act as facilitators and guides to ensure the project moves forward in an organized way. Within every project conversations are recorded and transcribed. These conversations serve as a valuable tool to determine knowledge, interest level and verbal interaction within the group. Each project is carefully documented and is a visual record of the learning process.

We offer three distinct programs at Phoenix, a preschool, a kindergarten and a school-age program. Each program operates Monday to Friday from 7:30 am – 6:00 pm.  We take great pride in our environment and have lovingly created a space that is bright, warm, friendly and inviting. We offer the highest quality in materials and are committed to providing the highest standard in childcare.

Our Day

Preschool

The children arrive in the morning and have an opportunity to interact with their peers and teachers in a relaxed environment. A nutritious organic snack is available for children that choose to eat at this time. A group meeting is held after most of the children have arrived. It is at this time the current project is discussed and explored through conversations, storytelling, music and hands on exploration. Project work continues throughout the morning in the atelier (art area) where children have an opportunity to work closely with their teachers exploring the project through a variety of art media.

A hot lunch is served in a family like setting where teachers sit with the children in small groups to promote independence, healthy eating habits and appropriate table manners. Lunch is followed by a two hour rest period in a comforting environment where the children fall asleep with soft lighting and soothing music. Each day, the children can explore the outdoors in a natural play area which was designed from the drawings and ideas of our children.

We feel that it is important to provide a preschool program that allows the children to explore their projects with a minimum of time constraints.  Preschool groups are kept small to ensure that each child receives individual attention and care.

Kindergarten

Children of kindergarten age attend Seneca Hill Public Schools kindergarten program in either the morning or afternoon.   Our program compliments the schools by creating a seamless transition between daycare and public school.   We feel that our emergent curriculum provides an excellent opportunity for children of kindergarten age to enhance their newly acquired skills in a way that is richly creative and individualized.   The kindergarten children are also offered nutritious morning and afternoon snacks and a hot lunch served in a friendly family style atmosphere where pleasant conversation, good table manners and independence is encouraged.  There is also ample opportunity for outdoor exploration as an extension to their in class learning.

School Age

The school age program offers care from 7:30am to 8:40am and again from 3:30pm to 6:00pm.  Our program provides the opportunity for the children to do as much or as little as they choose.  They may decide to participate in one of the days planned activities or make their own fun with our virtually unlimited supply of games, books, toys and craft materials.  Time and space is set aside each day for the children to complete homework.  We pay heed to a healthy lifestyle by ensuring that there is ample outdoor play and active group games that foster cooperation self esteem and team building skills.