CURRICULUM
We believe strongly in learning through play (free play and directed play). This philosophy is evident in all classes, extensively in our classes for two-, three- and four-year olds. Spiritual foundations are laid by caring Christian teachers who value each child as a special gift of God and teach and model Christian values. Weekly worship experiences deepen children’s knowledge of God, Jesus Christ, the Bible and how followers of Christ are called to live while also exposing children to other role models (e.g. pastors, church leaders).
Social development is supported through classrooms that limit class size providing children opportunities to work and play in pairs, small groups and whole class structures. These varying interactions provide experiences that promote genuine caring and respect for others and opportunities for development of self-skills as both “leader” and “follower.”
Academic needs are met through a developmentally appropriate program of activities guided by the Creative Curriculum and the North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Efforts are made to meet each child’s unique needs and, when and where appropriate, to differentiate practice. Englewood Baptist Weekday Preschool may not, however, be equipped to meet the needs of students identified for services under Part C of the federal law known as IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Parents are encouraged to share service plans (FSPs, IEPs, Other) with the Director and teacher so decisions best for the child may be made.
A spiritual foundation is supported by LifeWay’s Ages and Stages: A Discipleship Framework for Church and Home. Children receive intentional instruction in 10 concepts that are the foundation of spiritual grown: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Bible, Salvation, Creation, Church, People, Family, Community and World. The foundations are presented using language, materials and activities that are developmentally appropriate.
Emotional development is encouraged within a loving environment where opportunities for success are provided and growth in self-confidence is fostered. Physical development is ensured through outdoor play on an age-appropriate playground or, when weather prevents outdoor play, in the church’s gymnasium.
Enrichment experiences may be offered by itinerant personnel (e.g. from area school systems or the local library).
All-day options only are available for toddlers. Toddlers are separated into two separate classrooms – young toddlers (12-17 months) and older toddlers (18-23 months). Even at these young ages teachers design activities to address social and emotional development, language and communication, cognition and physical development/movement.
Parent Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Important Milestones: Your Child by One Year
Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-1yr.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Important Milestones: Your Child by Eighteen Months
Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-18mo.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Important Milestones: Your Child by Two Years
Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-2yr.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Milestone Tracker: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones-app.html
All-day and half-day options are available for two-year-olds. The class offers a nurturing environment introducing children to the social world away from home. Children engage in a variety of activities aimed at cognitive, language and motor skill development. Children do not need to be potty trained.
Children learn through outside play on a safe, well-equipped playground, on-site “field trips” (walks around the campus and through a variety of classroom activities. Children’s spiritual needs will be met by daily devotions, prayers and incorporation of God into daily chats. Children also learn through songs.
- Introduce colors and shapes
- Introduce alphabet and numbers
- Enjoy patterns of rhythm and repetition
- Begin to interact with stories
- Lengthen attention span and increase persistence in tasks
- Increase vocabulary & ability to communicate needs and wants
- Learn to take turns and self-regulate behavior
- Begin to remember daily sequence of events
- Play and use imagination
- Gross motor strength and coordination
- Learn to interact with others
- Fine motor manipulative skills
- Learn about God’s love for the world
- Model Christian values
Parent Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Important Milestones: Your Child by Two Years
Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-2yr.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Important Milestones: Your Child by Three Years
Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-3yr.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Milestone Tracker: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones-app.html
Half-Day and All-Day options are available for three-year-olds. At this age, children enjoy the social world of making friends, learning independence, developing communication skills, sharpening fine and gross motor skill development, and expanding basic knowledge including color recognition, names of colors, shapes, numbers and ABC’s. Through directed play and free play activities, teachers encourage children to reach developmental milestones that will help them succeed in all areas of life. All children must be potty trained.
Using the Abeka curriculum and the North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development as a guide, teachers create curriculum activities that will enhance the learning of the following skills:
- Introduce the alphabet
- Recognize first name
- Recognize basic colors and shapes
- Begin to understand number concepts and count to 10
- Develop a sense of self
- Learn early social problem-solving skills
- Use imagination and create new ideas
- Increase the ability to communicate ideas, wants and needs
- Begin to identify words that rhyme
- Show increased comprehension and enjoyment of literature
- Begin to use scribbles and pictures to represent ideas
- Follow simple directions and routines
- Learn to take turns and share
- Fine motor skill development
- Gross motor strength and coordination
- Learn about God’s love for the world and model Christian values
Parent Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Important Milestones: Your Child by Three Years
Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-3yr.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Important Milestones: Your Child by Four Years
Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-4yr.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Milestone Tracker: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones-app.html
Half-Day and All-Day options are available for four-year-olds. The focus for this age group is helping children develop confidence to be independent workers and cooperative, helpful friends. Kindergarten readiness skills are an integral part of the day filled with investigation, exploration, and discovery. Teachers begin to individualize instruction, using a variety of teaching techniques to help children develop critical thinking skills and a thirst for learning. Through directed play and free play activities, teachers encourage children to reach developmental milestones that will help them succeed in all areas of life.
Using the Abeka curriculum and the North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development as a guide, teachers create curriculum that includes:
- Recognize shapes
- Identify 1-10, Count to 20
- Develop number sense
- Explore measurement of length, time, capacity, weight and temperature
- Relate letters to phonemic awareness
- Develop early literacy skills
- Develop speaking skills and increase vocabulary
- Listen, respond to, and enjoy stories
- Print first and last name
- Sort objects, identify sequences, and make patterns
- Follow routines and directions independently
- Develop fine motor manipulative skills (cutting & pencil grip)
- Increase gross motor strength and coordination
- Use imagination and creativity
- Explore ways one action causes another
- Make predictions and observations
- Conduct simple scientific investigations
- Play and learn cooperatively with friends
- Develop a healthy sense of self and a love for learning
- Learn about God’s love for the world and model Christian values
Parent Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Important Milestones: Your Child by Four Years
Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-4yr.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Important Milestones: Your Child by Five Years
Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-5yr.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Milestone Tracker: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones-app.html