Curriculum
Curriculum at Yahara River Learning Center includes the child-initiated and teacher directed activities and experiences offered to young children that support and enrich their development physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively. Yahara River Learning Center uses the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards as a guide for planning the individual curriculum for each classroom. Each classroom will post weekly or bi-weekly lesson plans which contain a number of activities designed to foster each child’s development and the development of the group as a whole. Lesson plans may be changed in order to accommodate children’s changing interests and are based on the goals that are set by teachers and parents.
Each classroom is set up in centers which include the following: blocks, dramatic play, books, gross motor, fine motor and art. Outdoor play is just as important to us as indoor and we consider our outdoor spaces to be an extension of our indoor spaces. Outdoor time is important for a child’s physical development and must be included in both the morning and afternoon schedule unless prohibited due to weather. Choice time or free play is a daily part of our curriculum and means a child has the opportunity to choose which center or activity they wish to participate in. This promotes creative expression and development of important social skills.
DAILY SCHEDULE AND ACTIVITIES
Each classroom’s teachers work cooperatively to create a daily schedule and plan activities and experiences to meet each child’s individual needs, goals and developmental abilities. The daily schedule and activities create a balance between active and quiet times; large and small group (if age appropriate) small and large muscle activities, indoor and outdoor play times, as well as time for self-selection and teacher directed activities and experiences.
Consistency from day-to-day is particularly important to the overall well-being of the children and the classroom environment. Children thrive on consistency. Routines will be maintained whenever possible for arrivals and departures, meals and snacks, resting or nap times, personal care routines such as diapering/toileting, hand washing and transitions.
FREE PLAY
“Free play” (also called child-initiated activities, free choice, self-selection) activities are incorporated into the daily schedule. During free play, teachers actively participate with the children by asking questions about what they are doing, participating in their pretend play, reading books when prompted, encouraging children to try new activities or play with a new toy, build relationships with other peers, etc. Free play is another opportunity for a child to grow socially and cognitively through the development of relationships.
Curriculum at Yahara River Learning Center includes the child-initiated and teacher directed activities and experiences offered to young children that support and enrich their development physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively. Yahara River Learning Center uses the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards as a guide for planning the individual curriculum for each classroom. Each classroom will post weekly or bi-weekly lesson plans which contain a number of activities designed to foster each child’s development and the development of the group as a whole. Lesson plans may be changed in order to accommodate children’s changing interests and are based on the goals that are set by teachers and parents.
Each classroom is set up in centers which include the following: blocks, dramatic play, books, gross motor, fine motor and art. Outdoor play is just as important to us as indoor and we consider our outdoor spaces to be an extension of our indoor spaces. Outdoor time is important for a child’s physical development and must be included in both the morning and afternoon schedule unless prohibited due to weather. Choice time or free play is a daily part of our curriculum and means a child has the opportunity to choose which center or activity they wish to participate in. This promotes creative expression and development of important social skills.
HOLIDAYS
At Yahara River Learning Center, holidays are handled on a classroom-to-classroom basis and do not include religious teachings. We strive to incorporate as much of the culture within our families and communities during this time.
DAILY SCHEDULE AND ACTIVITIES
Each classroom’s teachers work cooperatively to create a daily schedule and plan activities and experiences to meet each child’s individual needs, goals and developmental abilities. The daily schedule and activities create a balance between active and quiet times; large and small group (if age appropriate) small and large muscle activities, indoor and outdoor play times, as well as time for self-selection and teacher directed activities and experiences.
Consistency from day-to-day is particularly important to the overall wellbeing of the children and the classroom environment. Children thrive on consistency. Routines will be maintained whenever possible for arrivals and departures, meals and snacks, resting or nap times, personal care routines such as diapering/toileting, hand washing and transitions.
FREE PLAY
“Free play” (also called child-initiated activities, free choice, self-selection) activities are incorporated into the daily schedule. During free play, teachers actively participate with the children by asking questions about what they are doing, participating in their pretend play, reading books when prompted, encouraging children to try new activities or play with a new toy, build relationships with other peers, etc. Free play is another opportunity for a child to grow socially and cognitively through the development of relationships.
OUTDOOR PLAY & GROSS MOTOR PLAY
Outdoor play is a very important part of our philosophy here at Yahara River Learning Center. We make sure to incorporate outdoor time into the daily schedule both in the morning and afternoons. Staff members actively engage in activities when prompted by the children to run, jump, climb and use their bodies in ways that would otherwise be unsafe in an indoor classroom. In addition, a large amount of social interaction takes place when children play outdoors. Because they are engaged in fewer teacher directed activities and more child directed play, children are able to choose their friends and who they interact with.
We do not use pools in our programming at the center. We use water-play with hoses, water toys, etc. If a field trip off site to a pool is planned, all licensing ratios will be maintained.
Because we are a nature-based learning program, the children get outside as often as they can; at least twice a day as required by licensing. Children will go outside year-round, including winter months. Only during extreme weather conditions will children remain indoors. Our teachers refer to the Child Care Weather Watch poster from the Wisconsin Department of Children and families to determine if it is too hot or cold to play outside.
https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/ccic/pdf/child-care-weather-watch-wi.pdf
As stated above, our children (1 year olds through school age) will go outside a minimum of twice daily depending upon the weather and what is appropriate for their age. The children will explore for at least an hour when the weather is appropriate and will modify based on the weather conditions. One nicer days it is typical that our children will get additional time to explore outdoors and on the colder days this time may be limited. Teachers will encourage and redirect children during their outdoor exploration time. They will set up learning opportunities for the children to engage in and often join in to increase children’s physical activity.
If the weather isn’t acceptable for the children to get outside, teachers will find alternative gross motor activities for children to substitute this time. Teachers will also incorporate physical activity into classroom routines, transitions and planned activities each time they see an opportunity.
It is important for parents to send their children in appropriate clothing and outerwear for the weather conditions (i.e. snow pants, boots, gloves, hats, etc.) Please clearly label all articles of clothing with your child’s name. Please ask your child’s teacher if you have any questions about weather appropriate clothing.
NAP/REST TIME
The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families requires that all children must be provided a regularly scheduled nap or resting time. Children will not be forced to sleep but encouraged to lie quietly for a period of time. The length of time a child should have to remain resting varies by child. There is no hard and fast rule regarding maximum amount of time a child should have to remain resting. Children should be provided alternative quiet activities if unable to rest.
Yahara River Learning Center requires that parents provide a sleeping bag from home. Children are allowed to bring a familiar item from home to use during nap/rest time such as a small blanket or stuffed animal. These items will be stored in your child’s cubby and sent home at the end of each week with the sleeping bag to be laundered and returned the following week. There is limited space for storage of these items. Please take this into consideration when deciding which items to bring. Please clearly label your child’s items.
MULTIMEDIA/SCREEN TIME
Each classroom has an iPad for teacher only use. We see multimedia/screen time as a way of extending our teaching and learning that takes place in our classrooms. Teachers may select a short age appropriate and developmentally appropriate video or photos to extend children’s understanding of a subject. Children are not required to watch the video or look at the pictures; instead it is offered as one of several activities. All multimedia/screen time must possess an education theme.
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry recommends the follow guidelines:
18 months – 2 years: limited screen time to educational
2 years – 5 years: non-educational screen time to 1 hour/day
6 years & older: encourage healthy habits & limit screen time
WEAPONS/VIOLENT PLAY
Weapon play of any type or pretending other items are weapons (fingers, blocks, etc) will not be allowed at Yahara River Learning Center. Redirection should be used when a child is engaging in weapon or violent play. Bullying is not tolerated in children and adult behavior; all efforts will be made to guide children in finding appropriate ways to interact with others. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated as well. We are a fully inclusive program and will not discriminate.
PETS & VISITING ANIMALS
Staff may introduce a pet to the classroom but must receive permission from the Director and/or Assistant Director. Once approved, families will consent to this pet in writing prior to the animal being brought to the classroom.
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance is strongly encouraged for the benefit of the child as well as the classroom as a whole. If your child will be absent, please notify the center at least 30 minutes prior to your contracted drop off time. If you haven’t notified your child’s teacher of the absence or late arrival, you will be contacted via phone call or Procare.
If your child is going to be absent for an extended period of time, please make sure you let your child’s teacher know in advance the dates of absence beginning and ending.
