Our Curriculum

In our 1,2, and 3 year old classrooms, we combine the research-based “Creative Curriculum” with our own special blend of proven educational activities.

In our Pre-Kindergarten classrooms, we use the “Early Childhood Express” curriculum. This research-based, thematic curriculum is very strong in its literacy and math components giving our children very sound preparation for Kindergarten.

Most classes begin the day with “Circle time.” This is when children sit together with their teacher as a group and talk about the day ahead. Helpers are chosen for different tasks in the classroom. Guidelines for cooperative play are discussed. Circle time often ends with a song or fingerplay.

You will see on the classroom schedules that there is time allocated for “Learning Centers.” Classrooms at All Superstars are set up with different activity areas-

Art and Creative Expression, Legos,
Writing, Housekeeping and Dramatic Play
Reading, Science and Discovery
Building, Music

Children choose an area where they wish to play and may freely move on to another area whenever they wish, after they have tidied away the equipment they were using. Because the children make the choice of activity themselves, they will be enthusiastic and, therefore, open to a wealth of learning experiences as they play. Teachers facilitate children’s play during this time and help children develop in all the domains addressed in the “Florida State Performance Standards.”

These are -
Physical Health and Development, Language and Communication,
Approaches to Learning, Emergent Literacy
Social and Emotional Development, Cognitive Development and General Knowledge

For example, if children choose to play in the science area and are sorting, say, zoo animals, the teacher will utilize this “teachable moment’ to develop some of the skills listed above. She  might help the children build, perhaps, a zoo for these animals. This will involve building fences, figuring out how much space the animals would need, deciding when to feed them and what they would need to eat. The theme could then be developed further with working out how much visitors should pay to come to the zoo and making a notice with the prices.

“Small group” or “Content Connection” time is when a small group of children get together with their teacher for a group learning experience. This could be anything from a science project to a playdough making session to a sorting and counting activity. This will often be related to the Theme of the Week. During this time, a specific area of development is targeted and children are closely observed to enable to the teacher to identify each individual child’s area of need.

In addition to the above activities, computer time, music and movement , reading, and outdoor play are all planned into the daily schedule. Classical music has been an important part of our curriculum for years. Brain research has shown that it can actually assist in later academic success.

German and Spanish speaking staff are on site.
These useful languages are incorporated into our curriculum.