OUR PHILOSOPHY AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE



OUR PHILOSOPHY AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The Holway Child Study Center-The Barn serves as a laboratory school for the Early Childhood Education Program at Lasell College. Lasell students bring an enthusiasm and enrichment to our Center where they share their classroom experiences with young children.

We believe that young children learn through play experiences, intellectual challenges, and their social interaction with both peers and teachers. Young children need to explore at their own pace and in their own style while given ample and appropriate choices and experiences throughout the day.

We strongly believe that children have Multiple Intelligences (Gardner, 83). Children are naturally predisposition to learning in different style and methods. Some children are very visual learners while others are very tactile. Some children are more musically inclined while others are very analytical and mathematical. We strive to present each child with the opportunity to find which intelligence best suites them while challenging them to explore others.

The curriculum, therefore, offers a balance between planned and teacher initiated activities. Supervised free play allows children to explore areas that interest them and thus to contribute their ideas to the program. Children can best master and integrate information through direct personal experiences and free play while using a wide variety of materials is an important part of each day.

Children need to be nurtured by warm, responsible adults who are knowledgeable in child development in order to help children develop as healthy, happy, competent individuals. Our position as a laboratory school requires a highly educated and experienced staff. In addition we provide ongoing support for staff development as we encourage teachers to continue professional growth through in-service programs, graduate work, workshops and conferences.

Along with these important basics, we add the following:

▪ Provision of appropriate developmental learning materials and activity areas, both indoors and outdoors.

▪ Aesthetically pleasing and inviting rooms.

▪ Impeccable health standards.

▪ Parent communication and involvement.

▪ Staff selection procedures that ensure teachers who will nurture children's self-esteem and enhance their social, emotional, physical and cognitive development while applying the theory of Multiple Intelligences.

▪ A strong support system for teachers.

Our program provides for all of the above, as it is our belief that all are necessary for quality early childhood education.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

The Holway Child Study Centers admit children without regard to race, religion, cultural heritage, political beliefs, marital status, sex, age, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation. This nondiscrimination policy applies to the hiring of staff for the Centers, as well.

PROGRAMS AT LASELL

The Holway Child Study Centers offer two kinds of programs for young children. One is offered at the Rockwell Center serving preschool age children and the other is at The Barn, which is a daycare center serving children 3 months through 5 years of age. Both Centers are laboratory schools, which means there is active participation by Lasell's Early Childhood Education students and staff. Both Rockwell and The Barn are located on the Lasell campus. Although these programs work cooperatively, and follow many of the same policies they are considered separate centers on the Lasell campus. This handbook deals specifically with The Barn, its policies and procedures.

What the Holway Child Study Center has to offer the child:

▪ A warm, loving, and safe environment for children where they will be comfortable and happy while being away from their own home.

▪ Opportunities for being with other children in a setting conducive to the development of wholesome social relationships.

▪ Assistance to children in developing a feeling of self-confidence.

▪ Appropriate play and learning experiences that contributes to the developmental needs of the individual children in the program.

What the Holway Child Study Center has to offer the parent:

▪ Early childhood education and care for the child while the parents pursue their own work

▪ Opportunities to meet with other parents and teachers who have as their common concern the interest and needs of the child.

▪ Opportunities to grow in the understanding of child development through daily contacts with Center staff and workshops offered by the Center.

CHILD STUDY CENTER ROUTINES AND POLICIES

Operational Hours

The Barn is open Monday through Friday 8-6.

Enrollment Procedures

Families must submit an application form with a nominal application fee, which is non-refundable. Once received families will receive a confirmation letter acknowledging their application to the Center. Individual tours may be scheduled for parents who are interested in the Center. All parents are strongly encouraged to tour the Center and obtain a copy of the Center Parent Handbook before enrolling in the Center.

Each fall families currently enrolled in the center will be given priority to re-enroll their child for the following year. Preference is given to children of faculty or staff at Lasell College and to siblings of present and past Barn students. Decisions for admission are made by the Program Director. The center enrolls children to assure that classrooms are balanced by gender, age and date of application.

Special Accommodations

If any specific accommodations or special equipment are requested/required the parent must submit this request in writing to the Center at least 60 days prior to enrollment into the Center. The Center will review the request for accommodations and will notify the parent(s) in writing within 30 days if the accommodation(s) are reasonable and will be implemented or if the accommodations will cause an undue burden upon the Center, and therefore cannot be met (i.e. special equipment or staffing). Should the request be denied, the parents have the right to a review of the decision by the Office of Child Care Services. Should the center not be able to provide appropriate care for the child, the center will provide the parents with referrals to other services. If service is provided the center will notify the local special education provider for assistance. The Lead Teacher is responsible for scheduling a follow-up conference with the Special Education provider and the Parent regarding the child’s progress.

The Teacher and Lead Teacher with written parental consent may contact the agency or service provider who is assigned to work with the child for information and assistance. If no agency or service is involved the child’s progress will be reviewed within (3) months.

All staff is required to report any suspected abuse or neglect to the Lead Teacher and director. Follow-up will be initiated immediately with the Department of Social Services.

The Lead Teacher will keep the Director abreast of all children who may potentially be in need of a referral. A list of referral agencies is available to the parents and teachers and is kept on file by the Director.

No referral is to be made to a parent with out first notifying the Director. Written parental consent must be given before any referral is made.

Re-enrollment

Enrolled families are asked in December if they are returning the following year. We ask that parents sign a new tuition contract and submit a new deposit to hold a space for their child. Subsequently, places are offered to new families for the following year.

Admission and Contracts

On acceptance, a family must sign a contract and place a deposit to hold the opening in the program. This deposit is applied to the first month's tuition for that year.

Deposits are not refunded if your child is withdrawn before the end of the contract period; and responsibility for tuition continues until the Holway Child Center can fill the vacancy. The Center will not attempt to fill slots that are vacated in July and August. The Center will attempt to fill these slots for the start of the new contract year in September. Parents will remain responsible for the tuition for their child’ slot until it is filled.

Tuition and Billing Policy

Tuition is payable on the first of the month; payments are delinquent if not made by the fifth of the month. The Center does not remit bills. Parents must schedule payments without reminders. If extra days are needed, and are available, a blanket fee is charged. Parents requesting extra day should make the request one week prior to the day needed. There is no reduction in fee nor any make-ups or switching of contracted days due to absences.

Responsibility for tuition begins typically in September of the contract year. If a child entering the Center is not developmentally or chronologically ready to begin in their classroom in September, parents are still responsible for the tuition since the space is being held for their child.

If a child presently enrolled in The Center is not developmentally or chronologically ready to move into the next classroom in September, parents are responsible for the tuition in both classrooms. Since we recognize this may be a financial hardship on the parents, a one-month waiver of tuition for the space in the "waiting" classroom is extended.

Scholarships

The Center has a modest scholarship for those families that qualify. Parents are encouraged to apply each spring for the next contract year. Scholarship decisions are made by the Director.

Behavior Management Policy

Our program is designed with the hope of instilling inner controls in each child by creating a warm, nurturing atmosphere in which children can learn to be in control of them selves. We strive to help the children express their anger verbally rather than physically. Our goal is to help them behave in acceptable ways by preventing discipline situations when possible and by increasing a child's feeling of self worth.

When discipline measures are necessary, we take the following steps:

1. Warn and redirect the child to another activity;

2. Calmly and confidently remove the child if the behavior persists;

3. Wait for the child's own decision to return to the activity;

4. Support the child's return to the activity to encourage success.

As stated on the previous page, we strive to prevent discipline situations whenever possible. The following guidelines are followed:

1. Verbally reward behavior that is acceptable;

2. Analyze the situation if the undesirable behavior persists and try to change it rather than nagging at the child;

3. Emphasize the positive rather than the negative by telling the child the correct thing to do rather than the ''don'ts" (except, of course, in the case of a safety situation);

4. Give choices whenever possible and know when there isn't a choice to give;

5. Warn ahead of time when transitions are necessary;

6. Avoid unnecessary constraints that reduce children's feelings of satisfaction;

7. Have as few rules as possible and make sure those we do have are enforceable;

8. Plan ahead and anticipate situations;

9. Make the day interesting and avoid fatigue, which leads to misbehavior.

We are committed to providing a warm and respectful learning environment where we nourish emotional good health. We acknowledge that any redirecting of a child must be carried through clearly and with respect.

As stated by the Office of Child Care Services, we understand that physical punishment or isolation of a child is not acceptable treatment. It is also understood that no child shall be punished or in any way humiliated for soiling or wetting his or her clothing and that the denial of food or water is child abuse and is in no way acceptable. Additionally, no child will be forced to eat or be forced to use the toilet.

Flexible Infant Schedule

Class size 7 children

This is an example of what happens during the day in The Barn Infant Room. Please keep in mind that this schedule is very flexible due to the changes that infants are going through during their first year of life.

8:00 Center Opens

Parents and infants are welcomed into the classroom. At this time, information and messages are exchanged between the parents and staff. Once the child is settled, parents say good-bye and the infant starts their day.

9:15-10:00 Snack

After saying good-bye to parents, and playing for a while snack begins.

Snack is served in accordance with the needs of each child. Snack is not

served after this time.

9:45-10:15 Morning Clean-up

As snack is cleaned up the infant's diapers are changed and they are

prepared for the next part of the day, playtime or naptime. The infants

diapers are changed every two hours, or if soiled.

10:00-11:30 Active Play

Once snack is over and diapers are changed, the infants who need naps are

helped to sleep. The infants who are awake participate in a relatively open

plan of activities that are developmentally appropriate for each child. This

time is also used for walks. All infants are included, napping infants are put

into strollers.

Activities:

1. Large motor activities include large muscle experiences such as lifting head and

chest off the floor, rolling over, sitting, creeping, crawling, standing, walking,

rolling balls pushing toys and much more.

2. Fine motor activities include small muscle experiences that involve gripping

objects, batting at objects, using thumb and forefinger (pincer grip), clapping,

and manipulating toys.

3. Cognitive activities include looking at faces, using their senses to explore.

recognizing Familiar objects, developing eye-hand coordination, building

attention span, object permanence, simple problem solving, and using trial and

error methods of learning and imitating their peers and adults.

4. Language activities: Language is used throughout the whole day. and is inclusive

in everything we do. Some examples of this are learning how to produce

different sounds, tones and intonations with their voices, listening to and

eventually understanding conversation, using simple words, reading books and

listening to music.

5. Social/Emotional activities allow our infant's to experience feelings and self-

awareness of themselves and others. We bring this to the infants by showing a

wide variety of feelings using different voice tones to express each one. Social

development is constantly being encouraged as they watch and play with the

children and adults around them.

6. Self-help skills are encouraged to begin promoting independence. It starts with

the young infant who is learning to hold her bottle. Then continues, as she

begins to eat solid foods, then finger foods, and then drink from a cup and eat

with a spoon.

*At the end of active play, the children are cleaned up and changed once again. This is our

transition to lunchtime.

11:30-1:00 Lunch/Clean-up

The infants are fed according to their needs and schedule. Some infants may be

bottle fed, while others eating solid foods. The infants who are eating solid foods

usually eat at noon. Infants provide their own lunch. Once the infants have

finished, clean up begins and the infants begin to relax for nap or get ready for

more playtime.

1:00-3:30 Naptime

Before nap, diapers are changed and many infants have bottles. The older infants

who were very active in the morning are very ready to rest their weary bodies. Once

they have gone to sleep, they younger babies get some welcomed one-on-one time. These younger babies do eventually fall asleep, and all is quiet for a white.

3:30-4:00 Afternoon Snack

When the children have woken up, they are offered a light snack. This consists of

foods provided by the Barn. Some baby’s will have bottles.

4:00-6:00 Afternoon Play

In the afternoon, there is a continuation of morning play. Each child will also be casually prepared for pick up. This includes the last diaper change of the day.

5:00-6:00 Closing

Staff replenishes supplies, does some cleaning and prepares the Infant Room for

the morning. At this time. parents are also greeted and told about their child's day.

6:00 CENTER CLOSES

Younger Toddlers Daily Schedule

Class size of 8 children

8:00 - 9:15 GOOD MORNING - greetings, communication with parents, activity areas set up and morning projects, structured free play. Classrooms are open between younger and older Toddlers.

9:15- 9:45 Classrooms separate and finish playing in their own classroom.

9:30 DIAPER CHANGING and start of classroom clean-up.

10:00- 10:20 SNACK TIME

10:30- 11:00 CIRCLE TIME – Monthly or weekly theme discussion, finger plays, stories, teaching concepts, sharing time…

11:00- 11:45 PROJECT TIME – art projects, cooking projects, science projects, music class, theme activities outdoors play…

11:45- 12:00 DIAPER CHANGING TIME and handwashing

12:00- 12:45 LUNCH TIME (preparation for nap)

12:45- 3:30 NAP TIME

3:30- 4:00 DIAPER CHANGING TIME and handwashing

4:00- 4:30 SNACK TIME

4:30- 6:00 PROJECT TIME – art projects, structured free play, outdoors play, and pick-up

Older Toddlers Daily Schedule

Size of classroom 9 children

8:00 - 9:15 GOOD MORNING - greetings, communication with parents, activity areas set up and morning projects, structured free play. Classrooms are open between younger and older Toddlers.

9:15 - 9:45 Classrooms separate and finish playing in their own classroom.

9:30 TOILETING TIME start of classroom clean-up.

10:00- 10:20 SNACK TIME

10:30- 11:00 CIRCLE TIME – Monthly or weekly theme discussion, finger plays, stories, experiments, teaching concepts, sharing time…

11:00- 11:45 PROJECT TIME – art projects, cooking projects, science projects, music class, theme activities outdoors play…

11:45- 12:00 TOILETING TIME and handwashing

12:00- 12:45 LUNCH TIME (preparation for nap)

12:45 - 3:30 NAP TIME

3:30- 4:00 TOILETING TIME and handwashing

4:00- 4:30 SNACK TIME

4:30- 6:00 PROJECT TIME – art projects, structured free play, outdoors play, and pick-up

Younger Preschool Daily Schedule

Classroom size 14 children

8:00-10:00 GOOD MORNING – greetings, communication with parents, activity areas set up and morning projects, structured free play. Classrooms are open between younger and older preschool.

10:00-10:45 CLEAN-UP and CIRCLETIME (choose “star of the day”) monthly or weekly theme discussion, finger plays, stories, experiments, teaching concepts, sharing time…

10:45-11:00 SNACK TIME – wash hands, eat snack, quiet book and puzzle time following snack

11:00-11:45 OUTSIDE PLAY – gym time, field play and walks

11:45-12:00 STORY (bathroom and handwashing)

12:00-12:45 LUNCH TIME (preparation for nap)

1:00 - 3:00 NAP TIME- two tape stories while resting on mats, quiet time, rest music and naps

3:00 - 3:30 WAKE UP- bathroom time, writing center and tabletop manipulatives

3:30 - 4:00 AFTERNOON SNACK

4:00 - 4:45 Afternoon circle – story and all about today calendar

4:45 - 5:45 OUTSIDE and FREE PLAY (afternoon tabletop activities or projects)

5:45 - 6:00 Clean up time and quiet stories

Older Preschool Daily Schedule

Classroom size of 16 children

8:00 - 9:30 GOOD MORNING - greetings, communication with parents, activity areas set up and morning projects, structured free play. Classrooms are open between younger and older preschool.

9:45-10:00 CLEAN-UP

10:00-10:20 GROUP SNACK TIME

10:20-10:30 BOOKTIME and QUIET

10:30-11:15 OUTSIDE PLAY

11:30-12:00 PROJECT TIME – art projects, cooking projects, science projects, music class, theme activities outdoors play…

12:00-12:15 TOILETING TIME and hand washing

12:15 - 1:00 LUNCH TIME (preparation for nap)

1:00- 2:30 STORIES AND REST TIME

2:30- 3:30 BOOKS AND QUIET TABLE ACTIVITIES

3:30- 4:00 OUTDOORS PLAY

4:00- 4:20 SNACK TIME

4:20- 4:45 STORY TIME

4:45- 5:30 OUTDOORS PLAY

5:30- 6:00 INDOORS TABLE ACTIVITIES

Howard Gardners

The Eight Intelligences described

|VERBAL/LINGUISTIC | |

The capacity to use words effectively, whether orally (e.g., as a storyteller, orator or politician) or in writing (e.g., as a poet, playwright, editor, or journalist). This intelligence includes the ability to manipulate the syntax or structure of language, the phonology or sounds of language, the semantics or meanings of language, and the pragmatic dimensions or practical uses of language. Some of these uses include rhetoric (using language to convince others to take a specific course of action), mnemonics (using language to remember information), explanation using language to inform, and metalanguage (using language to talk about itself).

|LOGICAL/ MATHEMATICAL |

The capacity to use numbers effectively (e.g., as a mathematician, tax accountant, or statistician) and to reason well (e.g., as a scientist, computer programmer, or logician). This intelligence includes sensitivity to logical patterns and relationships, statements and propositions (if-then, cause-effect), functions, and other related abstractions. The kind of processes used in the service of logical-mathematical intelligence include: categorization, classification, inference, generalization, calculation, and hypothesis testing.

|VISUAL/SPATIAL |

The ability to perceive the visual- spatial world accurately (e.g., as a hunter, scout, or guide) and to perform transformations upon those perceptions (e.g., as an interior decorator, architect, artist, or inventor). This intelligence involves sensitivity to color, line, shape, form, space, and the relationships that exist between these elements. It includes the capacity to visualize, to graphically represent visual or spatial ideas, and to orient oneself appropriately in a spatial matrix.

|BODILY/ KINESTHETIC |

Expertise in using one’s whole body to express ideas and feelings (e.g., as an actor, a mime, an athlete, or a dancer) and facility in using one’s hands to produce or transform things (e.g., as a craftsperson, sculptor, mechanic, or surgeon). This intelligence includes specific physical skills such as coordination, balance, dexterity, strength, flexibility, and speed, as well as proprioceptive, tactile and haptic capacities.

|MUSICAL/RHYTHMIC |

The capacity to perceive (e.g., as a music aficionado), discriminate (e.g., as a music critic), transform (e.g., as a composer), and express (e.g., as a performer) musical forms. This intelligence includes sensitivity to rhythm, pitch, or melody and timbre or tone color of musical pieces. One can have a figural or “top-down” understanding of music (global, intuitive), a formal or “bottom-up” understanding (analytic, technical), or both.

| INTERPERSONAL |

The ability to perceive and make distinctions in the moods, intentions, motivations, and feelings of other people. This can include sensitivity to facial expressions, voice, and gestures: the capacity for discriminating among many different kinds of interpersonal cues; and the ability to respond effectively to those cues in some pragmatic way (e.g., to influence a group of people to follow a certain line of action).

|INTRAPERSONAL |

Self-knowledge and the ability to act adaptively on the basis of that knowledge. This intelligence includes having an accurate picture of oneself (one’s strengths and limitations); awareness of inner moods, intentions, motivations, temperaments, and desires; and the capacity for self-discipline, self-understanding, and self-esteem.

|NATURALISTIC |

The ability to observe, understand and organize patterns in nature. This intelligence includes the ability to recognize and classify plants and animal, awareness of ones surroundings including changes and differences in their surroundings, weather, textures, animal life, natural shapes or patterns. Appreciates being outside and doing things like camping, hiking or climbing, or just sitting and observing nature.

ACTIVE LEARNING CENTERS

Organized by 8 Intelligences/Learning Styles

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LOGICAL/MATHEMATICAL

Science Center

Taking things apart

Sand & Water Table

Living Things

Recycling Center

Math Center

Weather Station Manipulatives

Cooking

Computer Center

Sequencing

Patterning

VERBAL/LINGUISTIC

Reading/Book Corner

Writing Center

Computer Activities

Flannel Board Stories

Listening Center

Library Visits

Journal Writing

Print Rich Environment

Display of Children’s Work

INTRAPERSONAL

Spaces to be alone

Reading area

Listening Center

Self Help Skills

BODILY/ KINESTHETIC

Gross Motor Activites

Dancing

Small motor activities

Tactile Exercises

Playground Activities

Organized Games

Sensory Table

VISUAL/SPATIAL

Work Bench

Manipulatives

Blocks

Painting/Art

Dramatic Play

INTERPERSONAL

Small/Large Group Activities

Dramatic Play Area

Problem Solving Activities

Cooperative Games

MUSICAL/RHYTHIMIC

Musical Instruments

Singing Circle

Sound Center

Listening Center

Dance/Movement area

Multicultural Music

Various Music Styles

NATURALISTIC

Natural Science Center

Classroom Pets

Weather Station

Classroom Plants

Animal Activities

Nature Walks

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