Please note that this year's Summer Program is impacted by emergency regulations put in place to curb the spread of the novel covid-19 virus. Read below for more information.

Please note that this year's Program is impacted by policy changes in place to curb the spread of the novel covid-19 virus.

EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM

Choosing the very first school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. We understand that looking for the best fit can be a challenge. This list highlights just a few of the many advantages of Woodroe Woods, to help you make the best decision for yourself and your child.

School Environment

Warm, inviting, and joyful family-oriented environment.
Open year-round, with convenient hours from 7 AM to 6 PM.
Culturally diverse student and staff body.
Qualified, long-term, teaching staff exceeding state standards – several employed for over 20 years.
Age appropriate outside play areas.
Hands-on Administration including Director and Co-Director, Business Manager, and Office Administration.
Full service early childhood school providing care for children 2.5 years of age that are fully potty trained through Fifth Grade, Elementary Program Before and After-School Care and Summer Day Camp.

Safety

Record of all individuals authorized to pick up your child.
Traditional sign-in and out in each classroom.
First Aid and CPR certified teachers. First Aid kits in every classroom and main playgrounds. Medication administration and EPI-Pen training for all staff.
Fire drills performed monthly. Comprehensive lockdown, earthquake and evacuation plans are in place and practiced.
Unauthorized persons must wait to be assisted by a staff member.
Emergency preparedness supplies.

Communication

Regular verbal check-ins.
Written injury / incident reports as needed.
Monthly curriculum posted in each classroom.
Shutterfly email bulletin detailing upcoming events.
Quarterly school-wide Newsletters from Administration.
Health updates and Exposure Notices as needed.

Curriculum

The Woodroe Woods approach emphasizes curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning utilizing a true play-based philosophy. Our curriculum is time-tested and draws from multiple early childhood models. We believe this offers children the well-rounded experience and skill set needed for their future academic success.

Preschool:

Well-organized classrooms are divided into interest areas, and children have a multitude of materials available to them for various types of play. Each day is intended to be joyful and full of discovery. Teachers lead children through a variety of experiences, activities, and learning opportunities that balance academics and meaningful play.

Pre-kindergarten:

Children have ample choices for activities and many learning materials available to them throughout the day. Project based learning through arts, crafts, cooking, science, gardening, and construction take place each day. This age group is fine tuning their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth through play and active classroom participation. Teachers are guiding and supporting growth in all areas through modeling positive behavior, group discussions, art projects, journaling, brainstorming, charting, games, music and movement, experimentation, and investigation of the indoor and outdoor environments.

We believe in the power of play

Play is fun, but it is also how young children learn. Through play, they learn conflict resolution, respect, creativity, independence, and self-confidence. Rather than just passive learning, play encourages children to actively engage in their world and become mini “scientists”—exploring, manipulating, and interacting with their environment. Play allows them to investigate, create, and discover; it motivates them to take risks; and it adds to their understanding of the world.

An academic focus

As children move up to the Pre-Kindergarten program, our curriculum is both academically and developmentally appropriate for the age and maturity of each child. Through discovery and exploration, our children learn that acquiring knowledge can be both challenging and fun. Children are encouraged to take intellectual risks: to ask questions, venture answers, express their imaginations, creativity, and try things out in an accepting welcoming environment. Areas of academic importance include: early learning skills in math, language, art and science.

Social Development

Our teachers know how to engender both enthusiasm and respect for learning in children. We also know that it’s equally important that our teachers, like parents, are models for children in every circumstance. The following are some of our social modeling philosophies:

Children who see their teachers treating them or their classmates with understanding and respect when they make mistakes are more likely to be accepting of the mistakes of others, and to be more willing to take risks themselves.
Children also learn that it is acceptable to make mistakes when they see their teachers make mistakes without losing their composure.
When children watch teachers cooperate with each other in running the classroom, they learn valuable lessons about the benefits of teamwork.
When teachers help children settle conflicts that arise on the playground or in the classroom, children pick up strategies for conflict resolution that they themselves can later apply.
Our students learn from teachers that their ideas are respected and valued when the teachers encourage them to make choices for themselves and contribute to group discussions.
Enthusiasm is contagious: teachers who exhibit enthusiasm for the subject matter of their lessons are more likely to have enthusiastic students.
The traditions practiced in our school community also serve as an integral part of our social curriculum.

Developing the whole child

Along with our focus on the social and emotional well-being of children, our goal is to ensure their academic preparedness by instilling a deep love of learning while nurturing a broad set of skills and knowledge. At Woodroe Woods, a love of learning, the development of skills, and the pursuit of academic excellence are deeply connected to love of school and the joy of collaborative exploration.
Classrooms at all age levels are structured to include opportunities for observation, exploration, risk taking, experimentation, and problem-solving. We believe these are the key elements for a child’s successful development. Our curriculum also includes many opportunities for teachers to assess the individual needs of every child. We strongly believe that academic preparedness is unique for each individual child and it is our responsibility to know them intimately as a learner.

Outdoor experiences

Our classrooms are merely a stepping-stone into the world around us. Outdoor play is vital for young children, and we spend a significant amount of time outside at Woodroe Woods. Many of the developmental tasks that children must achieve—exploring, risk-taking, fine and gross motor development and the absorption of vast amounts of basic knowledge—can be most effectively learned through outdoor play. Children need the opportunity to explore the unknown, the unpredictable, and the adventurous.