CURRICULUM & ENROLLMENT

CONTACT US

LA PUENTE

FACILITY & PROGRAM

HOME

NORTHRIDGE

NEWHALL

ABOUT US

CURRICULUM AND ENROLLMENT

Curriculum
Leap and Bounds' developmental curriculum facilitates learning and discovery. Children are encouraged to explore using all their senses in a hands-on, interactive manner. Every child learns differently and our staff approaches teaching by building on the child's strength allowing them to progress at their own pace so success and satisfaction are assured.

We believe positive experiences during early childhood years are critical to promoting a life long love of learning. From day one we concentrate on developing the various skills which lead to Kindergarden success. Emphasis is placed on strong social skills and academic skills appropriate for the developmental stage of your child.

Infant Center
We recognize the importance of building a bond of trust with both your baby and you. We have given a great deal of thought to providing a warm, loving environment. We want you to be able to do what you need to do knowing that your baby is safe, happy and cared for. Our teachers provide basic caregiving acts in a calm, unhurried manner so positive and trusting relationships are developed.

Teachers are responsive and attentive to reading your baby's body language so needs are perceived and addressed which enables your child to feel secure that his needs will be met by caring and reliable adults in a predictable manner.

The environment here at Leaps and Bounds Preschool and Infant Center encourages your baby to explore with all his senses. There are instruments to play, board books to read, mirrors to look into, toys to push and toys to pull, blocks to stack and knock over, balls to roll, soft places to snuggle, dolls and stuffed animals to clutch,  buckets to empty, walkers to push, horses to ride and on and on. Playing is learning and in infancy caregiving and play are the curriculum.

Teachers sing songs, do finger puppets activites, read books, identify items to expand vocabulary and provide countless other activities and your baby's "world" expands every day. Your baby's need for space and freedom for muscle development is addressed both indoors and outside. Outdoor playtime is a daily occurrence.

Toddler Center
One need of the toddler is to have some independence within a supervised setting that allows more vigorous activities. Our toddler room is large and spacious to accomodate ride-on toys, large lightweight blocks, large vehicles, a sand and water sensory table, etc.

Our ladybug tent encourages "reading" with a friend while art activities using lots of paint are interesting. Busy is the operative word for every minute as language develops while they interact with other toddlers and they challenge their physical abilities while attempting more active "feats."

The toddler teachers act as facilitators and provide the teaching, comfort and security that is needed throughout the busy day so all toddlers grow in confidence and learn in a safe and secure atmosphere.

Two Year Old Room
The attention span comes into play with the two year old child - if only for a minute, The two year old needs the opportunity to have vigorous activities indoors and outdoors and is more inclined than before to join the group while the teacher is reading or singing to the group. They begin to enjoy playing "with" a friend so the teaching of social skills is important aspect of the curriculum.

Leaps and Bounds' two year old room is a happy place with all sorts of things and activities available to the, (Positive toilet training is on-going.) Art mediums in a variety of forms from paper tearing objects (to strengthen little finger muscles for future writing) to really messy projects which engage all the sense are experienced and enjoyed.

Three Year Old Room
We are "big kids now". Our early preschool room continues to teach math and language but in a more focused way while we make certain that to the preschoolers it's still fun and games. Each day is filled with exciting activities which incorporate math and reading skills.

Leaps and Bounds gives the children the opportunity to feel comfortable speaking before a group during share time and this continues throughout the preschool days. Because children learn through their senses, many opportunities still abound for hands-on, interactive learning for our threes.

The morning Learning Circle covers stories, weather, calendar, abacus work and many other facets of the curriculum as stated on the posted Lesson Plan. Each day children are taught science, math, language, music, art and physical education geared to their development stage.

The afternoon hours after lunch and naptime are filled with many choices both indoors and outdoors, as well as another Learning Circle which covers different materials, but reinforces the concepts from the morning Circle.

Threes and Fours Class
Our "combination" classroom is comprised of older three year olds and young fours who will not be attending Kindergarten the following year. The teacher teaches much the same material covered in the Pre-K classroom adjusting for the developmental continuum.

Children use scales, weigh and measure, practice writing, construct and design, listen to CD's and learn and practice rhyming words and beginning sounds. As in all classes, children spend their day in hands-on exploration during the many activities.

Friendships are very important at this age and teachers continue to help build on the child's social skills as needed.

This group loves the vigorous outdoor activities provided and their vocabularies and comprehension of materials presented literally grows by "Leaps and Bounds"!

Pre-K Class
As in all classes, the Pre K Class encourages learning and independence. Experts agree that competence is a key factor in positive self-esteem and our children are taught not only during group time but individually to become self-sufficient and to explore their world. Self help is therefore encouraged as appropriate to the age all through their early learning years with us.

In some ways, Pre-K's are ready to take on the world and they are competent to perform many learning activities with minimal teacher guidance. They also absorb teacher directed material quickly and easily.

They are interested in everything. Their competency allows them to play in groups and what they do and become is only limited by their creativity. They incorporate the information they are absorbing into their games and role playing.

Amid all this we are focused on making certain the children are ready for the skills they need for Kindergarten. Our Guide is the California Department of Education guidelines and making certain the children have been taught, eg. cutting skills, matching skills, beginning sounds, rhyming sequencing, counting skills, letter and number recognition, etc. to meet those standards. While this is an on-going process throughout their time with us, the Pre-K year is very special as they work towards that important milestone.

Enrollment
Leaps and Bounds Preschool and Infant Center does not discriminate and values and respects the beliefs held by each of our families. Enrollment applications are processed in the order in which they are received.

We invite you to tour at your convenience and welcome you to visit several times while considering our Center to meet the needs of your family.

Happiness and success throughout the school years depends largely on the close cooperation of teachers and parents. Please talk with teachers and the Center Director if you have concerns or have suggestions for our program.

The environment here at Leaps and Bounds Preschool and Infant Center encourages your baby to explore with all his senses. There are instruments to play, board books to read, mirrors to look into, toys to push and toys to pull, blocks to stack and knock over, balls to roll, soft places to snuggle, dolls and stuffed animals to clutch,  buckets to empty, walkers to push, horses to ride and on and on. Playing is learning and in infancy caregiving and play are the curriculum.