Children explore and learn through play.  Our play and learning activites are carried out in a relaxed and child-oriented environment designed to:

• Encourage independence and self-confidence
• Develop responsibility and self-direction
• Lay a groundwork of intellectual skills for future growth
• Promote kindergarten readiness
• Provide opportunities for social and emotional growth
• Develop large and small muscle coordination
• Encourage creativity and self-expression
• Provide opportunities for children to learn to work and play with peers and adults
• Develop a positive self-image
• Stimulate intellectual curiosity and exploration of new ideas

The daily schedule begins with a free choice period, during which children may choose from a variety of activities, such as blocks, floor activities which emphasize stories, music, movement, science, beginning Spanish and Sign language, and journal writing.  During snack time, the T/TH children help serve a variety of nutritious snacks, which they sometimes prepare. The children in the MWF class eat a lunch, prepared from home. On some occasions, the MWF will prepare lunch at school.

Each week a different theme is emphasized (e.g., pets, music, dinosaurs, spring) and many of the classroom activities are organized around this theme.  The world becomes our classroom as the children embark on regular educational field trips to local sites.  In the past these have included trips to Dane's Dairy, Safety Village, Wislons' Apple Orchard, Hickory Hill Park, the Bus Barn, Hy-Vee, Dance of Iowa, the Fire Station, West Music, and Bickford Cottage to sing and visit with the Seniors. Some of our special days are Beach Day, Comfy Day, Mother's Day, Pet Day, and our Halloween Parade Day.

We encourage our parents to share their professional expertise and hobbies with us in the classroom.  In the past these have included nurses, paramedics, librarians, highway patrol officers, UPS delivery personnel, sheriff's deputies, and farmers.