A Child-centered & Nature-oriented Approach
The educators at Earthplace firmly believe that childhood curiosity leads to exploration and discovery. The classrooms include a rotating variety of centers to encourage this learning. To read the specifics of our curriculum please visit our parent handbook.
Students enjoy walking on the trails of the 62-acre wildlife sanctuary, and have direct access to the many wild and teaching animals. Each week, animals in the teaching collection, including rabbits, a python, ferrets and turtles are brought into the classrooms to educate the children. Music classes, conducted by professional musicians of Creative Music for Children, and gym classes, led by Earthplace Nursery School teachers, are also part of the curriculum on alternating weeks.
The children meet special community visitors such as a firefighter, police officer, dental hygienist, veterinarian and nurse. The children construct sculptures, create play dough, "cook" food, sing songs, listen to stories, learn numbers and letters, socialize and make new friends.
We are also committed to parent education. For interested parents, we offer a number of seminars throughout the year to help you better understand and support your children’s development.
Learning centers are:
Art area
Blocks, trucks and accessories
Dramatic play and dress-up area
Easel
Kitchen and home center
Library center
Manipulatives
Puzzles
Science center
Sensory table
Writing center
Outdoor activity centers include:
Bicycles and ride-on toys
Ball play
Building with tree blocks
Climbing
Gardening
Sand play
Sledding
Swings and Slides
Trail walks
Trucks
Visiting the outdoor animals
Classes and Programs
2's Program:
Children attend class from September through the first week of June for 2 3/4 hours. There is a maximum of 8 children per class, with one lead teacher and two assistants. Children must be two years old by September 30 of the school year in which they attend.
3's (Juniors) and 4's (Seniors) Program:
Children attend class from September through the first week of June for 2 3/4 hours. There is a maximum of 16 children with three teachers in the Juniors and a maximum of 18 children with three teachers in the Seniors
