One teaching strategy implemented in the center is play based learning. Play based learning encourages a child's natural engagement and expanding on their interests. Children can explore indepednetly and confidently with the enviornment. As mentioned previously positive guidance is another teaching approach used within the center. Positive guidance focuses on providing positive interactions to help guide children. We want to support children and help them develop into caring and responsible members of society, which cannot be obtained through excessive discipline and focusing on negative behaviors.

Formal and informal assessments are a way to collect and provide information on a child's learning and development (NAEYC, 2019). Information collected on a child's learning and development can be shared with fellow educators within the classroom and the child's parents. One form of assessment that will be used in the classroom is observations. Observations allow the educators to observe a child on a specific development area to assess their progress, interests, and their needs. A formal assessment used within the center is the Ages & Stages questionnaire. The Ages & Stages questionnaire are completed based on your child's age to assess where they fall devlopmentally. 

In order to provide quality care, we must ensure a healthy environment. To ensure we are providing an environment that protects children and staff from illness we will require up to date immunizations and enforce a strict sick child policy. Staff will be trained on best health practices such as proper hand washing, CPR, and first aid.

NAEYC (2019) states "Teachers who have specific preparation, knowledge, and skills in child development and early childhood education are more likely to engage in warm, positive interactions with children, offer richer language experiences, and create higher quality learning environments" (pg. 78). To ensure support of an educators knowledge frequent trainings will be provided. Trainings will be tailored to the classroom/educator as to help best support them. Educators will also be observed monthly to provide feedback and additional support where needed. To help support and retain educators goals will be set, and professional development will be provided to help obtain their goals and expand their knowledge. 

Families are essential to providing the best support for a child's learning and development. To ensure family collaboration we will take the time to know your family, understand your background, family makeup, and culture. The family relationship building will begin during your first orientation and continue through formal and informal conferences, newsletters, and emails. As educators we will always ensure an open line of communication.  Families will also be invited to a family involvement activity every month to help build your relationship with your child and their teachers.

To help support our goals and mission of the center we will connect with our community. Connecting with our community provides us with additional resources to use within the center and to provide additional outside resources to parents. One example of a community resource is early intervention. If you are needing assessment and developmental screening for you child, early intervention would be a resource we can provide to you. Early intervention is a program we work closely with and invite development specialists and all program specialists within our center. If you are struggling to pay for childcare or groceries, the subsidy program and the information to WIC is another resource that can be provided to you. Any services we may not be aware of can be researched and provided to you as to best support your child within our center.

A safe and healthy environment will be provided to children to allow the comfort and exploration of the environment. The environment will also be set up to support all developmental areas. All furnishings and materials will be age and developmentally appropriate. The areas which will provided in the classroom include blocks, dramatic play, manipulatives, art, library, discovery, sensory, music and movement, cooking, computers, and outdoors. To expand on learning all center materials will be provided outdoors as well. Environments will be checked daily to ensure they are safe for children.