About
Age Groups & Programs
Each lead teacher develops a lesson plan for the following week to be approved by the director. Children are eager to discover new things. Each program is specially tailored to challenge each individual at their level - based on a full day at the child development center. Our goal is for each child to be prepared for the high standards of the school system.
Infants - 6 weeks to 12 months
(Maximum 1:4 Ratio)
Infant Class -- 6 weeks – 12 months
(maximum ratio 1:4)
This program is developed primarily for attention, affection and development of motor skills. The infant program will vary from one child to the next based on information and instruction from the parents.
Feedings – approximately every 3 hours as instructed by parents
Diaper Changing – as needed and checked at least every 2 hours
Activities as each child’s schedule permits – tummy time, music, singing, fine and gross motor skills and age appropriate toys
Naps – as determined by parents
Pre-Toddlers -- 12 months to 18 months
(Maximum 1:5 Ratio)
The pre-toddler room is a transitional room to prepare children for the toddler room which has a more structured environment. A pre-toddler is an infant who walks more then crawls. Some pre-toddlers eat baby food, some eat finger food supplied by their parents and others eat snacks and lunches prepared at Essential Steps.
A separate nap area is provided to accommodate different napping needs. However, we do try to get all of the pre-toddlers on the same schedule because it allows them to do more activities each day. This also helps the transition to the Toddler room when the child is 18 months. Pre-Toddlers do have "class" every day. The staff works with the children on learning the parts of the body, sorting shapes, building with blocks, etc. The children also have storytime, art and music. These activites are not necessarily scheduled at a specific time but are accomplished at opportune times. The pre-toddlers have their own outside play area. They are taken outside once or twice a day whenever possible. They do not go out on particularly hot or cold days.
Daily program:
Breakfast
Storytime
Outside (weather permitting)
Snack
Mid-morning nap
Lunch
Outside (weather permitting)
Art
Music
Afternoon nap
Snack
Toddler Class -- 18 months to 2 years
Our Toddler class has a structured schedule that keeps the kids very busy and learning. The loving teachers give the kids the comfort and confidence needed to achieve new goals. During class time and throughout the day we work on learning shapes, colors, animals, objects, body parts and much more. We start potty training with this age group as soon as they are ready. These kids also sit at the table for meals and learn good manners and good eating habits. This class goes outside on the playground twice per day and takes one nap after lunch.
Daily schedule:
Breakfast offered until 8:00am
Free play
Class from 9:00am – 9:30am
Midmorning Snack
Physical Education on playground
Lunch
Nap
Afternoon Snack
Art and Music
Recess on playground
Free Play
Intermediate Class -- 3 Years to 4 -1/2 years
The Intermediate class is designed to introduce the kids to a more classroom type setting. Daily subjects include letter recognition, counting and number recognition, shapes, colors, sorting and matching, pre-writing skills and manipulatives. The teachers work with the kids on playing with their classmates, sharing and exploring new ideas and creative concepts. Their schedule also includes playground time twice per day and a nap after lunch.
Daily schedule:
Breakfast offered until 8:00am
Free play
Class from 9:00am – 10:00am
Midmorning Snack
Physical Education on playground
Lunch
Nap
Afternoon Snack
Recess on playground
Art/Music/Spanish
Free Play
Pre-K -- 4-1/2 Years to 6 years
The Pre-K class prepares the children for Kindergarten. The daily schedule includes activities that help the kids enter Kindergarten with confidence and ready to reach the next level. The expectations for Kindergartners is very high so we work to have them ready to meet the expected goals. The day is filled with engaging activities to challenge each child at their own level. This age group also has some seasonal field trips such as visiting the zoo, Pumpkin Patch and Library shows. Their schedule also includes playground time twice per day and a nap after lunch.
Daily schedule:
Breakfast offered until 8:00am
Free play
Class from 9:00am – 10:30am
Midmorning Snack
Group Activity
Physical Education on playground
Lunch
Nap
Recess on playground
Afternoon Snack
Art/Music/Spanish
Free Play
Schoolers - 6 - 12 years
(Maximum 1:20 Ratio)
Our philosophy with school age students during the school year is that the children have spent seven hours in a structured classroom; therefore, their time here should be spent in supervised play. A 15-20 minute quiet time will be provided after recess each day. This time is for students to work on their homework and wind down from their busy day. Students needing additional homework time may do so during freeplay or T.V.
We Offer:
Computers
Game Systems
Puzzles
Board Games
Art & Crafts
Movies
Field Trips on School Holidays
Daily after school program:
Snack
Playground free play
Homework/Quiet Time
Free play
Summer Schooler Program:
Our Summer Schooler program is filled with field trips, arts, crafts, cooking, science and fun! Each week the group goes swimming, roller skating and to the Library shows. Every Friday the field trip is different. The trips include water parks, amusement venues, laser tag, ice skating, bowling, movies and much more.
get a callback
Web Design by Jim Dodd - 214.906.3313