Guiding Star Classrooms
Caterpillars (6 week-12 months)
The infant program focuses on meeting the youngest learner's individual needs through responsive care and positive interaction. Your infant's daily activities such as eating, sleeping, diaper changes, and active play are documented in a detailed "My Day" form. Materials are carefully chosen and readily available for manipulation and exploration.
Butterflies (12 months-24 months)
The Butterflies program is a mix of mobile infants and toddlers. You will receive a detailed, daily report about your child's activities. Knowledgeable staff are readily available to facilitate early learning experiences, constantly creating a balance between security and challenge.
Acorns (2's)
This program works to bridge the gap between the dependency of your infant/toddler and the indepence of a preschooler. The classroom environment is carefully designed with safety and learning in mind. Focusing on enriching language and promoting self-sufficiency help to prepare for a successful transition to the preschool room.
Seedlings (3's)
The 3's preschool program promotes school readiness as the primary goal for children's development and learning. The schedule is planned to help facilitate cognitive growth through a balance of child-initiated experiences and teacher directed experiences. Creativity is supported through open-ended exploration of project materials. Emotional and social skills are supported by building confidence, trust, and independence through a multitude of daily interactions.
Trees (4's and 5's)
The pre-kindergarten program also promotes school readiness. Social-emotional development is encouraged through cooperative learning activities and chances to apply conflict resolution skills . Literacy and math skills are focused on via hands-on experiences at increasingly complex levels. Children are encouraged to use phonics and apply comprehension skills in reading activities. Daily opportunities to analyze, predict, and classify materials aid in scientific discovery.
Summer program (all ages)
Summer sessions complement the school-year program by encouraging in-depth exploration of the natural world and opportunities for creative endeavors. Pre-kindergarten children participate in fun educational field trips. Younger children enjoy in-house special presentations. Weekly water play, cooking activites, and fun crafts are an exciting part of the summer program.