Early Childhood Education

Our Goals and Objectives

Every day, our experienced, nurturing staff welcome the children into a warm, creative, hands-on environment. We believe in educating the whole child . We feel that an environment that explores the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of each child is one that encourages a child's ability to grow.

At the Schoolhouse, we use a hands-on multi-sensory approach to learning. We strongly believe it has to be in the hand before it gets to the brain. We believe that child-initiated, child-directed , teacher-supported play is an essential component of developmentally appropriate curriculum.

We focus on yearly themes to stimulate conversations, interests and initiate projects which emerge from the children.  This “project approach” encourages emergent, child initiated, and open-ended curriculum.

We base our philosophy on the work of Piaget and Erikson :

Piaget believes that through play we can be “explorers without failure”. It is through play that young children develop the basic skills they will need to become effective contributors to the health of a changing world.

We believe:

• The most important tools a child can master in early childhood are: socialization, language acquisition, communication of feelings, and the beginnings of autonomy through separation.

• In teaching and modeling environmental awareness, including the knowledge of, and respect for all life.

• A curriculum should be culturally responsive, free of bias and compatible with the values of children's own cultures.

• Everyone, including parents, teachers, children and administrators, are an integral part of building a strong, caring and stimulating community.

Early Childhood Daily Routine We believe that children rely on routine for comfort and security. We are a five day a week program.  Our day begins at 9am.  The children nap from12:30 -2:30 and the school day ends at 3pm.  Children in our 4 and up classes do not have nap time but we offer quiet rest time. Our School year goes from September to June with an optional summer program. At the Hollywood Schoolhouse, children experience opportunities for inside and outside play, process-oriented exploration and hands-on, multi-sensory learning. Throughout their week, the children explore through music, dance, dramatic play, painting, sculpture, science, fine and gross-motor exploration and problem-solving. They converse, resolve conflicts, tell stories, and learn to listen, share, and live in community with one another. We also provide a nurturing environment that enables children the flexibility to just be.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your age cutoff?  Children must be 2 years and 9 months by September of the year they begin.

Do you have a part time program?  No, we are a five day a week program.  We believe that when children are ready to socialize, they are ready to be with their peers everyday.  We also believe that routine is important to children.

What is your transition policy?  We offer a Transition Program in the Spring to children who will be starting in September.  It is not mandatory but highly encouraged.  We also schedule summer visits to help the children transition but do not encourage families to stay, in the classroom, beyond the first week of school.

Do you provide after-school care?  Yes, after school care is available from 3–6 pm daily.

Do you provide snacks and lunch service?  Yes, there is a healthy, homemade morning and afternoon snack provided daily.  We offer a healthy hot lunch program daily.  The lunch program is optional and may be purchased on a yearly or daily basis.