THE STEPPING STONES PHILOSOPHY
It is important that we communicate daily concerning the needs and interests of each child. Stepping Stones Early Childcare, LLC offers parent-staff conference opportunities at least 2 times per year to discuss the child’s growth and development and adjustment to the program. If there are issues or concerns that need to be discussed, parents should arrange with us a convenient time to talk on the phone. To foster communication on a regular basis, Stepping Stones Early Childcare, LLC provides scheduled conferences, parent bulletin board and daily conversations. To support healthy development, we intentionally include information about physical activity, gross motor development and nutrition in our communications with families.
Stepping Stones Early Childcare's staff along with parents input will plan activities and provide children with a variety of experiences.
Learning through play is the major component of our program. Enough time, materials and space will be provided for children to actively explore the world around them. Children will have an opportunity to use a variety of art materials, manipulative and housekeeping equipment. Our curriculum will provide exposure to a variety of cultures through music, stories, games, and art, and we will celebrate how we are all the same and how we are all different from one another. Routines such as toileting and eating and intervals between activities are planned to avoid keeping children waiting in lines or assembled in large groups.
HOW WE WORK
Stepping Stones Early Childcare, LLC has a written program of activities/curriculum which are suitable for the developmental level of each child and each group of children. The program provides each child with experiences which will promote all the following: self-esteem and positive self-image, social interaction, self-expression and communication skills, creative expression, large and small muscle development, intellectual growth, and literacy.
A schedule of daily activities is posted in each classroom. A program of activities is planned a week in advance. Staff use a variety of resources in their planning. We will also use the services of the Wisconsin Childcare Information Center (800-362-7353) and access their resources to plan activities. The activities focus on a monthly theme based on the interests of the children and lesson plans are available for parents to review.
