Preschool Philosophy, Goals and Tour Information

 

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

The Preschool at Forty Carrots Family Center in Sarasota, Florida prepares children for success in Kindergarten and beyond through creative, productive, play experiences. Knowing that preschool children are concrete thinkers and need to touch, hear, see, smell, taste and move in order to understand their world, Forty Carrots teachers create and
recreate activities that encourage children to learn through exploration and discovery.


Monthly themes provide a framework for these activities and theme-related projects foster a desire to learn more. In addition to being hands-on, Forty Carrots’ Preschool curriculum
is developmentally appropriate – activities are geared to the overall developmental level of the children as well as to individual children’s gifts, challenges, temperaments and learning styles.


While promoting positive social and emotional development above all else, the Preschool incorporates Handwriting Without Tears, The Creative Curriculum, and Florida School Readiness Performance Standards into its innovative programming.


Perhaps what is most unique about The Preschool at Forty Carrots is that parents benefit from participating too. While little ones are nurtured, challenged, and encouraged, their parents find a network of support, ideas, and unconditional respect. Forty Carrots is truly a Family Center!


GOALS

Based on our understanding of young children and their development, broad goals are set for each age group and then individual goals are set for each child. But, in general, our teachers all strive to:

  • Encourage positive social interactions - sharing, communicating, cooperating, and caring.
  • Enhance children's self-esteem, self-sufficiency, and feelings of self-worth.
  • Stimulate cognitive development. We challenge the mind and spark curiosity.
  • Prepare children for success in Kindergarten and beyond.
  • Foster creativity in art, language, music, and thinking. We are process, not product, oriented; we value originality!
  • Introduce a wide variety of activities to exercise both the large and small muscles of the body.
  • Provide a language-rich environment. We expose children to the written and spoken word and in turn, encourage their writing and storytelling.
  • Celebrate diversity and teach respect for the world around us.

 

SEE THE WORK IN ACTION - TAKE A TOUR!

Appointments for tours are typically scheduled Monday - Friday at 9:30 am, while the Preschool is in session so families can view learning in action. To schedule your tour, call 365-7716 Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm or email your contact information and our staff will call you back.

 

TOP TEN TIPS FOR SPOTTING A QUALITY PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

(as recommended by the National Association of Education of Young Children)

If your child is between the ages of 3 and 6 and attends a child care center, preschool, or kindergarten program, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) suggests you look for these 10 signs to make sure your child is in a good classroom.

1. Children spend most of their playing and working with materials or other children. They do not wander aimlessly, and they are not expected to sit quietly for long periods of time.


2. Children have access to various activities throughout the day. Look for assorted building blocks and other construction materials, props for pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as matching games, pegboards, and puzzles. Children should not all be doing the same thing at the same time.


3. Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day. They do not spend all their time with the whole group.


4. The classroom is decorated with children's original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling, and stories dictated by children to teachers.


5. Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences. The natural world of plants and animals and meaningful activities like cooking, taking attendance, or serving snack provide the basis for learning activities.


6. Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at least one hour) to play and explore. Worksheets are used little if at all.


7. Children have an opportunity to play outside every day. Outdoor play is never sacrificed for more instructional time.


8. Teachers read books to children individually or in small groups throughout the day, not just at group story time.


9. Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Teachers recognize that children's different background and experiences mean that they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.


10. Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel secure about sending their child to the program. Children are happy to attend; they do not cry regularly or complain of feeling sick.


Ask if the program is accredited by the most rigorous standards of NAEYC. NAEYC accredited programs complete a rigorous self-study and external review to prove that they meet standards of excellence in early childhood education. And, look for the 5-star (the highest rating obtainable) by the local, Look for the Stars Program.