Maxwell Children's Center

PHILOSOPHY

The Maxwell children's center has a unique philosophy for children and their families. A partnership is formed between parents and teachers encouraging shared participation in each child's educational experience.

We believe children learn best when they are actively involved with the people and materials around them. Knowing that play is the way children learn, teachers conscientiously provide an inviting, relaxed environment with diverse learning opportunities for children. Our teachers guide each child as she/he discovers, constructs, pretends and creates with others.

Children's natural curiosity leads each classroom's learning as they laugh, explore and expand their understanding of the world while simultaneously answering their questions.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Maxwell Children's Center is threefold:

To provide the children of students, faculty/staff and the community with a full service, affordable, inclusive and educational environment for children aged six weeks through 4th grade.
To provide observation and practicum classroom settings and resource materials for university students who are seeking a variety of licensures in education and related fields.
To serve as a model early childhood program for regional professionals.

PROGRAM & CURRICULUM

With the diverse cultures and beliefs represented by the families in our program, we support an anti-biased approach to learning. We foster understanding, celebrate differences, and discuss questions about our world. Our curriculum arises naturally from teacher-child interactions and situations that allow for "teachable moments." Children's interests provide topics for discovery. Through conversations, observation, and family information-sharing our curriculum emerges.

Teachers help these interests evolve into curriculum that offers children important social/emotional, language, aesthetic, math/science, large and fine motor skill development opportunities that align with Early Childhood standards. Children's developmental progress is carefully observed, recorded, and shared with parents through daily conversations and formal conferences twice a year.

The Center accepts children without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap. We welcome children with special needs. An individual program plan is established for each child through discussion with parents and other professionals.

FLEXIBLE DAILY SCHEDULE

All children are involved in a mixture of the following activities each day:

Activity Time: Children choose from multiple learning centers such as art, math, puzzles, science, cooking, language, writing, dramatic play, reading and block construction.
Circle Time: Children gather to discuss activity time discoveries and discuss the rest of the day, sing songs, play instruments and play games.
Small Groups: A few children at a time join a teacher for specialized activities and instruction.
Gym or Outdoors: Children are given the opportunity for large muscle activities through organized games and supervised free-play.
Snack Time: Children take turns preparing and setting-up snacks. They are encouraged to try new and interesting foods.
Rest Time: Children are encouraged to nap or have rest time.