What We Do

Educational Program Objectives

The overall structure of the program focuses on supervised play and creative exploration, enabling each child to discover his or her world and abilities at his or her own pace.

The program emphasizes the development of social skills, gross and fine motor physical skills, and intellectual/educational skills. Each age group has developmentally appropriate activities to stimulate their physical and mental development.

Circle time, dramatic play, music time, finger plays, small group activities, and solving minor disputes through discussion are all activities that provide incidental learning situations that are critical to child development.

Preschool Program

The Woodbridge Child Center's curriculum for all age groups meets NAEYC standards and criteria. In the Preschool, curriculum is based on goals set by the Connecticut State Dept. of Education for children preparing for Kindergarten. Learning takes place in the preschool classroom's Centers, including reading, writing, technology, dramatic play, manipulatives, music, science and math centers as well as in the outdoor playground and gymnasium.

Beginning at age 2.5, the Preschool works toward benchmarks in the areas of

• Personal & Social Development
• Physical Development
• Cognitive Development
• Creative Expression

"Specials" include bi-weekly Kindermusik classes, JumpBunch, and story hours at the Library. Computer tots is offered as an "add-on" class.

Upon their graduation in June, WCC's 4-5 year olds are well prepared for Kindergarten.
Most remain through the summer to enjoy a Summer Camp program before starting school.

Infant & Toddler Program

Infants and toddlers at WCC enjoy a rich learning environment designed for fun, safety and achievement of developmental milestones. Curriculum for the infant and toddler groups follows the guidelines of the National Assoc. for the Education of Young Children and is designed to meet the developmental needs of this age group.. Lesson plans and daily schedules include art, music, books, dramatic play, manipulatives and outdoor play. Development of fine and gross motor skills and language are an important focus. The development of self control and a feeling of trust is encouraged. The children begin to learn self help skills such as self feeding. In the toddler room, they begin working on toilet training, in cooperation with parents.

Social Skills

Include positive and emotionally supportive interactions with others, the development of self-respect and self-esteem, a sense of mastery of the world around them, the ability to express emotions, the development of friendships, a growing awareness of their own independence and uniqueness.

Physical Development

Gross motor skills, such as walking, running, jumping, dancing, and rhythmic movement. Fine motor skills such as the use of various manipulative toys and items, drawing, painting, building and other types of creative play. Activities are planned to maximize the accessibility to equipment in the large outdoor playground and the full size gymnasium.

Educational Enhancement

Our staff consists of experienced, qualified educational professionals who help to guide your children through their early development. Our staff is selected because they easily meet or exceed all of the state requirements for education and experience. Additionally, they have all demonstrated that they have the commitment to quality child care that is inherent in our status as a program accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Since your child will spend a large portion of his or her time at the Center, it is important that he or she has a feeling of belonging. Our classrooms are designed to be an attractive, enticing and welcoming environment. We try to make each day your child spends at the Center happy, secure, stimulating and filled with wonder and joy.

Our goal is to provide balanced programs designed to foster the development of the whole child through love, comfort and understanding in order to provide a strong foundation for the child's future. We are dedicated to providing day care in a quality environment that will help to alleviate many of your daily worries about day care. We keep a daily log of your child's activities in order to keep you informed.Our staff is always available to answer your questions about your child's day.

Events are planned during the year that bring parents, children and staff members together in a social environment. We encourage active participation from parents, who are invited to serve on the Board of Directors, on committee, or in any other helping role.

Assessment

Child Assessments are conducted every six months in the Preschool using the Connecticut Preschool Assessment Framework. In the infant and younger toddler groups, assessments are conducted at six, twelve and 18 months. An educational portfolio is maintained for each child beginning in the Infant Room. The portfolio contains assessments, observations and work samples. Parents and teachers meet regularly to review assessments and set goals for the child. Individual and class assessments are also used as the basis of determining revisions to curriculum and lesson plans. With the parent's consent, the Center's Educational and Social Work Consultants are available to conduct additional assesssments.