717-285-2711 info@k-prep.com 3943 Columbia Ave, Columbia, PA 17512
 

Our Program

Thank you for your interest in K-Prep Learning Center. K-Prep stands apart from other daycares because of the focus we place on your child's individual needs. We keep our enrollment limited so our certified and experienced teachers can teach directly to your child's ability level.

K-Prep Learning Center offers care for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. Services are offered Monday through Friday from 7AM-6PM. K-Prep follows an individualized development progress chart for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to monitor and encourage appropriate growth. Infants are cared for and loved according to their individual needs as stated by the parent, while participating in a variety of stimulating activities. Young toddlers through preschoolers are in a more structured setting where daily activities include story/learning time, music and dance, creative art, fine motor development, and outdoor play.

Our Nursery

Our individual care begins in the nursery. Each baby has his or her own crib and individual area to keep personal items. We work with you to create a schedule that is best for your child at home and at school. Your child is given one-on-one attention as he or she is held, fed, and stimulated with activities that encourage their natural physical and intellectual development. We take the time to help your baby feel comfortable, secure, and happy.

Our Multi-Age Classroom

Individuality remains important as your child transitions to our Multi-Age Classroom (MAC). The environment in this classroom is so unique because it creates a crucial balance between whole group play and individual learning. Throughout the day your child follows a schedule which includes circle time, creative art, free play, fine motor activities, and outdoor play. The children's focus learning time is held every morning. Focus learning time consists of a repetitive circle time and a fine motor activity. During focus learning time, the children are placed in small groups according to their development so that each child is taught at his or her own level.

We want all of the children in the Multi-Age Classroom (MAC) to feel secure and confident. To help keep their self esteems high, we refer to each learning group by color:

Our goal at K-Prep is to create a loving, nurturing environment where children are given the education and social skills to be confident and successful. The teachers and staff at K-Prep Learning Center are dedicated to early childhood learning and believe in the positive effects of great childcare.

Our Classroom Management Philosophy

K-Prep's top priority is to provide a safe friendly environment where all children are encouraged to treat friends, teachers, and toys as they would like to be treated. We feel "testing the limits" is normal for young children and setting consistent limits is important in their development. Redirection is used to show young toddlers where these limits are. We also often use positive direction with phrases such as "Feet on the floor", "Hands on you", and "Toys in your hands" to reinforce to children what they should be doing rather than what they should not be doing. As children age and gain a better understanding, natural and logical consequences are used to encourage children to take responsibility for their actions. We also teach and model appropriate social behavior for the children so they can learn to work problems out without teacher direction. The "time out" method is enforced when it is necessary for a child to take a break from an activity. However, a child will often be given the choice to correct the behavior on his/her own or to take a break from the activity. We believe giving children choices when possible allows them to feel more in control of their own actions, therefore building their self esteem.

Steps to effective classroom management:

  1. Redirection/Positive Direction
  2. Give child a choice
  3. Natural or logical consequence
  4. Model conflict resolution
  5. Time out

When correcting a child, a firm voice is necessary, as young children learn language through tone of voice. However, after each situation, teachers should communicate to the child a better way of handling the situation. The teacher should kneel down to the child's eye level and use a quiet, caring voice. The child should be looking at the teacher and be involved in the conversation. If more than one child is involved, the teacher should model appropriate problem solving and encourage the children to talk to one another. Children are always encouraged to use words when handling any situation.

Discipline methods that are NOT tolerated:

  1. Yelling or shouting
  2. Connecting discipline to food, rest, or toileting
  3. Any form of verbal abuse
  4. Physical punishment

Staff Interaction with Children

Teachers are encouraged to play with and talk to each child to get to know them on an individual level. Much of the day is child-directed activities where the children can learn through various forms of play. Teachers are encouraged to participate in these activities, but the child takes the lead in creating the play. Morning learning time is an academic focused circle time and fine motor development where the teacher directs the activities. This allows teachers to focus even more on each child's individual needs. Break it down in age/development groups.

Safety

For security reasons, the front door to the center will always be locked. Parents and visitors must ring the doorbell and a teacher will be happy to open the door and let you enter. If someone other than the parent is picking up, photo identification will be matched to the child's emergency contact/release form before the child will be released from care. Please note that parents are always welcome to visit the center at all times without prior notice.

K-Prep Learning Center
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