Curriculum
Day Early Learning classrooms are focused on guiding growth and development in a child-centered environment. We honor a child’s play while providing robust experiences that foster curiosity, encourage self-expression, and build collaboration and flexible thinking. We select curricula and tools that support our approach to teaching and learning and are aligned with Indiana’s Early Learning Foundations.
Your child’s classroom will have an individualized lesson plan posted every week. Each activity on the lesson plan is purposeful and intentionally planned based on the teachers’ observations of each child in the classroom. Lesson plans will address all areas of learning, including language and literacy, math, cognitive, social-emotional and physical development.
Each day, the curriculum provides activities and experiences that help your child develop the six essential skills needed for success in kindergarten and beyond. They are:
Curiosity
Collaboration
Confidence & Initiative Taking
Persistence & Resilience
Effective Expression
Flexible Thinking
Enrichments
At Day Early Learning, enrichment opportunities are available to all students at no extra cost. This is because we believe in the value of a well-rounded education and equal opportunity for all students to access diverse experiences.
Day Early Learning partners with community organizations to bring art, yoga and museum experiences into our classrooms.
Assessing Development
At Day Early Learning, we believe in the importance of regularly assessing each child’s growth and development in order to tailor our lessons and activities to the needs of each individual child. All Day Early Learning centers use several methods to assess each child’s growth and development including:
Each week, you will receive written observations of your child’s development on LifeCubby. These observations are used to help teachers create meaningful lesson plans that will ignite curiosity in your child and help us monitor your child’s growth and learning on a daily basis.
When parents enroll in our program and each time your child transitions to a new classroom, teachers and parents complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). This tool allows us to help you track your child’s progress in language, problem solving, fine and gross motor, and social-emotional development. It also helps us ensure the right materials and supports are being used to help your child reach the next stage of their development.
In addition to measuring children’s growth, our learning environments and teaching staff are regularly assessed using classroom observation tools to ensure the highest level of teacher-child interactions. This is important because high-quality environments and teacher-child interactions encourage and promote children’s language, math, vocabulary and social skills.
Transitions
Transitioning to a new classroom is an opportunity for your child to learn new skills in a safe and structured environment. At Day Early Learning, we work to ensure your child is developmentally prepared for the next step in their early learning journey.
Typically, your child will transition to the next classroom sometime around their birthday. Transition times are not exact, however, as they are based on age, state licensing requirements and available space.
Our Approach to Transitions
Your child will visit their new classroom daily two weeks before the full transition occurs. Your child will increasingly spend more time in their new classroom until they are transitioned full-time. This experience helps them meet new friends, gradually learn new routines and gently ease into their new classroom.
We also encourage you to visit your child’s new classroom during the transition period. This visit will allow you to learn about the classroom environment and routines, establish a relationship with new teachers and discuss any questions or concerns.
As part of your child’s transition, their current teacher will share their most recent assessment data with their new teacher. Together the teachers will plan activities your child enjoys to meet their developmental needs. We will ask you to partner in this process and share your child’s interests and strengths with their new teacher.
Your child’s new teacher will also be observing your child to guide their lessons and activities and tailor them to your child’s needs.
Transitioning to Kindergarten
Kindergarten is a big step for your child and family. Day Early Learning is your partner in making that leap, and we’re here to support you with various resources.
Teachers will share information on local schools and ways to prepare your child for the transition at home — books to read, topics to discuss, questions to ask potential schools, etc.
In the classroom, your child will be immersed in our pre-K program, designed to prepare them for success in kindergarten and life. Teachers focus on building a foundation of social, emotional and academic skills essential for transitioning to school.
As the end of the year approaches, teachers will also introduce books and prompt conversations around the transition to kindergarten.
Day Early Learning families can access additional online and at-home resources to support the transition process.