The Valley School
Preschool in Cape Porpoise, ME 04014
The Valley School is Reggio Inspired. In the Reggio approach, children are seen as powerful and competent individuals, who take joy in constructing their own knowledge. Teachers at the Valley School strive to create an atmosphere of respect for childrens interests and desires, while encouraging constant dialogue and conversation. In Reggio, the environment is considered the third teacher. The environment includes the playground as well as each of the classrooms. Particular care has been taken to make each classroom inviting, inspiring, and developmentally appropriate for every child.
Teachers see themselves as researchers, guiding and supporting the children by listening and observing, documenting and displaying their work. Through collaboration, they offer experiences and provocations to further enhance the childrens work, helping them go deeper in their understanding of themselves and the world around them. Teachers ask open-ended questions, encouraging children to consider different perspectives, and allowing them to be risk takers. In this way, children learn that there is no right or wrong answer and that no one fails. Consequently, a safe learning atmosphere where children are free to be inventive and creative.As children express themselves through these languages, they develop a wide spectrum of skills; for instance, the Block Center offers opportunities for your child to develop math, language, social, listening, gross motor, fine motor, and a multitude of artistic skills. Our centers are: Blocks, Dramatic Play, Science, Manipulatives, Puzzles, Books, Writing, Listening, Music, Felt Board, Art, Easel, Work Bench, Light Table, and Sensory Table. Teachers support and guide the children as they use the hundred languages through play and inquiry during Work Time, and through experiences offered during Large and Small Group interactions.
- Child Ages:
- 3 weeks - 6 years
- Licenses & Accreditations:
- New Jersey Department of Children and Families - NAEYC Accredited
- Preschool:
- Yes
- Hours of Operation:
- Monday to Friday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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The Valley School takes as its influences the best practices, theories and current research in early childhood education to create developmentally appropriate curriculum, experiences and care for young children. This approach to early childhood education is based on the Reggio Emila Philosophy.
At the heart of all that we do is a deep respect for young children as individuals and active learners. We believe that children are curious and active learners from birth. Therefore, the early childhood environment and facilitated experiences are designed to encourage exploration and hands-on learning. We engage your child in meaningful investigations that come after careful observation, conversation, and planning. Investigations arise directly from the interests of your child. Within the framework of investigations, your child will develop the skills needed to become a successful learner.
Young children learn best when they are provided with authentic, hands-on, interactive activities that meet developmental needs as well as incorporating interests. Knowledge is constructed from experiences, exploration, and interactions. Children, Teachers and Parents come together to function as co-learners with the classroom with the playground environment serving as the classroom outside of the classroom.We understand and appreciate the uniqueness of children and encourage each child to reach his or her full potential. We respect individual differences and learning styles and provide a variety of experiences to meet diverse needs. Learning is constructed and scaffolded through daily experiences and interactions. As skills are mastered and knowledge is attained, children are able to move on to the next level at the pace that is right for them.
We partner with parents to create a strong team and we acknowledge parents as their childs first teacher and the authority on their child. We respect and celebrate the diversity of each family and highly encourage families to share their culture within the school community.
To provide an overview of the Reggio Emilia Approach we have included an excerpt from “Bringing Reggio Emilia Home: An Innovative Approach to Early Childhood Education”, by Louise Boyd Cadwell.
