Collingswood and Oaklyn's preschool children experience learning through resources provided by The Creative Curriculum, which are designed specifically for each age group and tailored to each child's needs. Based on the latest research, this program is designed to create a responsive learning environment that supports inquiry, engagement and a passion for exploration.

Key features of The Creative Curriculum:

• Play-based Learning: Children learn best through hands-on activities, creative play and real-world experiences.

• Teacher-Guided and Child-Led: Staff provide structure while allowing children to explore topics that interest them.

• Whole-Child Focus: Supports cognitive, social-emotional, physical and language development.

• Flexible and Inclusive: Designed for all learning styles and developmental levels.

The curriculum covers 38 objectives across key areas of early childhood development:

• Social-Emotional Development: Helps children build relationships, manage emotions, and develop self-confidence.

• Physical Development: Focuses on fine (small muscle) and gross (large muscle) motor skills.

• Language Development: Encourages communication, listening, and vocabulary growth.

• Cognitive Development: Supports problem-solving, memory, and critical thinking.

• Literacy & Math: Introduces early reading, writing, counting, and number sense.

• Science & Social Studies: Encourages curiosity about the world through hands-on exploration.

• The Arts: Encourages creativity through music, dance, drama, and visual arts.

• English-Language Acquisition: Progress in understanding and speaking English.

For a look at The Creative Curriculum, please view this short video.

New to the Collingswood and Oaklyn Preschool Program this year, Al’s Pals is an important part of The Creative Curriculum that helps children develop essential social-emotional skills. Through fun, engaging lessons with Al, a friendly puppet, children learn to express their feelings, solve problems, build friendships, and make positive choices. This lessons support emotional well-being and resilience, helping children develop confidence and skills they’ll use throughout their lives. Al’s Pals nurtures kindness, cooperation, and respect, building a strong foundation for future success.