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My perception of childcare is different from most. Here the children play of course, but they are gently introduced to the structure of a school day with all of the comforts of home. The lower level of my home is CCP. Our location consists of a preschool room, infant/toddler room, kitchen and restroom. We are located on a rural road, which is near the highway between Whitehall and North Muskegon. Although CCP is not in a highly populated area, the families that attend are happy to make the drive. CCP is located on 10 acres of woodland near a pond, farm, and wooded winding trails, which allows our children to grow and learn in nature.
Preschool Room
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The preschool room is arranged based on the developmental areas of play. Blocks, fine motor, sensory, dramatic play, literacy/language, art, music, and science. Children are encouraged to use ingenuity and creativeness while engaging with their peers and materials as the environment is considered the 3rd teacher. Materials are added or rotated based on children's interests. |
Infant/Toddler
The infant and Toddler space is designed to promote independence. This age group requires plenty of space for maneuvering walking and crawling as well as dumping and filling. Small furnishings, cozy/soft areas, photos of families, and a soft rocking chair are available for children on the go or who just need to snuggle. Infants in our program are exposed to a variety of stimulating activities. Teachers sing, play, and hold infants, and are required to when they are having a bottle. Our infants are not "container" babies. Meaning that they are not just plopped in a seat or swing or high chair to accommodate the teachers needs. Infants are typically on the floor with the teachers eager to move around and are encouraged to do so. Infants go outside with the other children as well and typically are on a quilt in the grassy lawn with some toys and books. Infant massage techniques are used to calm or sooth irritable babies. Infants are introduced to Baby Sign as soon as they begin to reach for toys and clap their hands. The toddler room has a variety of toys ranging in motor skill development. Toddlers begin their educational journey with daily art activities, small motor development, gross motor play, and color and zoo-phonic introduction to animals. Themes lead the children through typical topics that are in their interest level. The floors are a plush shag carpeting that is inviting to sit on. Teachers in this area play on the floor with the children. The shelves are low, enabling the children to help themselves and also to develop self-help skills by returning items back to their place. The areas are divided into Art, Reading, Blocks, and Free play toys. They also have a removable sensory area that they explore once a week. Portable cribs are available for morning naps if necessary.
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Outdoor Learning
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The expansive play area gives each child plenty of opportunities to either explore in the woods, swing, slide, lay on a blanket in the grass, draw with chalk, dig in the sand, hide in a climber, or pick vegetables in the huge garden. Our doors have prime access to the play yard. We incorporate loose parts play where boards scarves, logs, branches, and large spools/tires are used as a building materials for children to create elaborate forts, pirate ships, homes and whatever their hearts desire. This freeing idea also engages creative thinking and big body movement, along with team building efforts. We have a large sand area which houses our swings and playhouse, complete with bridge. The children take good care of our chickens in our garden area. |