Our Curriculum

Our approach to learning is based on the “Creative Curriculum.” This approach is based on the interests and curiosities which emerge from the children and teachers. Learning is a natural process occurring through self-directed experiences that are optimized through a supportive and positive environment. Teachers facilitate these interests by mindfully setting up learning centers with materials and activities where children can investigate and make discoveries while expressing themselves through art, play, and social interactions. Our teachers use documentation and  observation of the children to research interests, make learning visible for parents, and assess the development of our children.  Lesson planning is based on children’s interests and developmental goals.  We determine developmental goals through a twice-yearly individual student assessment.

A typical day at the MGA (sample schedule)   

*Healthy snacks & lunches are provided for students 12 months and older from our on-site kitchen.

     6:00 – 7:00        Arrivals & Learning Centers

     7:00 – 7:30         Snack Time

     7:30 – 8:00         Learning through Play

     8:00 – 9:00         Outside Time & Activities

     9:00 – 9:30         Morning Snack  

     9:30 – 9:45         Circle Time & Music and Movement 

     9:45 – 10:30      Scheduled Activities

     10:30 – 11:15    Outside Time & Activities

     11:15 – 12:00    Lunch Time

     12:00 – 2:30       Nap / Rest Time

     2:30 – 3:00         Transition to Snack 

     3:00 – 3:30         Afternoon Snack  

     3:30 – 4:30         Outside Time & Activities

     4:30 – 6:00         Inside Learning Centers

Age Group Overview

Infant Program (6 wks – 12 months)
Children follow their own individual eating and sleeping schedule. Bottles and food items are provided by the parents at this age.  Caregivers encourage and facilitate infants to explore the environment around them while they learn to roll over, push up, crawl, sit, stand, and walk while surrounded by music and participating in developmentally appropriate activities. Daily reports are provided to share information about each child’s day while providing a means for parents to ask for special requests. 

Infant Program (12 months – 17 months)
All children are on the same schedule in this class, where they participate in shared meal and snack time. Children take only one nap each day and are offered regular milk from sippy cups. Teachers take the children outside to the playground every day and plan open ended interactive activities to help reach their developmental milestones. Daily reports are provided to share information about your child’s day while providing a means for parents to ask for special requests. 

Younger & Older Toddler Program (18-30 months)
Children practice self-help skills such as understanding emotions, following directions, washing hands, brushing teeth, and cleaning up after themselves. Auditory, language, and communication skills are developed through interactive art and sensory table activities, music and movement, and participating in educational circle time. Teachers take the children outside to the playground every day and plan open ended interactive activities that challenge the mind while developing fine and gross motor skills.  Daily reports are provided to share information about your child’s day while providing a means for parents to ask for special requests.

Early Preschool Program (2.5 – 3.5 years) 
Children continue to improve on self-help skills learned in the Toddler Program by focusing on regulating emotions, enhancing social interactive skills, and implementing solution based problem solving. Teachers will also work with families to help their child start a potty training routine. Teachers plan daily activities to continue to develop auditory and language skills by listening to music, playing instruments, reading books and narrating stories. Teachers plan daily outdoor activities geared towards your child’s physical development. Beginning literacy and numbers are introduced through stories, finger plays, songs, games and open-ended activities. Reports are provided to share information about your child’s day. 

Preschool Program (3-5 years)
At this stage, children are fully potty trained and have honed the self-help skills taught in the earlier programs. Our focus is geared towards encouraging creativity as children initiate sensory rich activities through the curriculum that reinforces gross and fine motor skills, hand eye coordination and educational experiences to prepare children for kindergarten. Our goal is to prepare your child for the transition to Kindergarten by continuing the process of social, physical, emotional, cognitive, and language development that will strengthen their self-help skills in addition to fostering a life-long love for learning.