Our Philosophy

We recognize the importance of early childhood education as the foundation for school success and developing lifelong learners and base our overall goals on this notion.

Little Learners Academy’s philosophy has always been one that acknowledges and respects the uniqueness of each child. It also supports the belief that a child’s strong sense of self-esteem comes from experiencing success within an age-appropriate environment enhanced by a rich, stimulating curriculum. The curriculum engages children’s learning in all developmental areas, while at the same time allowing for individual differences in learning styles and encouraging creativity through a variety of play-based experiences and environmental factors.

We recognize the importance of early childhood education as the foundation for school success and lifelong learning and base our overall goals on this notion. The goals of the program are to develop a strong sense of self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as the development of the whole child with an emphasis on social/emotional skills and independence.

Our Classrooms

Classrooms that Inspire Learning

Early childhood classrooms are special places; within them discoveries abound, imaginations soar, and anything is possible.

Seedlings & Sprouts: Infants

~Exploration-friendly classrooms for your baby’s first big milestones.

~An assigned primary caregiver for one-to-one moments of caring, play, and communication

~Personalized care plans to support daily schedules, nutritional guidelines, and any other unique needs

~Sensory-rich spaces to explore and soft places to roll over, pull up, and crawl

~Daily reading, exposure to the arts, and outdoor time (weather permitting)

Magnolia & Willows: Toddlers

Engaging, safe spaces to support the giant leaps of the toddler years.

~Support for newfound independence and social skills

~ Focus on the changing needs and encouragement for individual growth f and the ability to make choices

~Learning centers that include language and reading, construction, math, fine motor, art, dramatic play, science and sensory exploration, and outdoor learning

~A relaxed environment to foster individual development and self- help skills

Junipers, Birch, Mighty Oaks & Upper School: Preschool

Collaborative Classroom

State Funded Pre-K

Specifically, these include:

Development of Self Confidence and Self Esteem

Positive identity and self- respect
Trust
Empowerment to make choices
Taking initiative
Mastery
Expressing creativity
Willingness to risk
Feeling autonomous and self- reliant
Expressing needs, feelings and ideas

Development of the Whole Child

Development of Social/Emotional Skills

Problem-solving and conflict resolution
Cooperating in play and work
Developing trust in peers and adults
Belonging to and participating in groups
Becoming a leader and a follower
Expressing feelings
Developing good listening skills
Making friends, being friends and sharing friends
Having fun!

The Values and Goals We Use to Implement Our Philosophy

Maintain a SAFE, supportive, and stimulating environment
Family Involvement
Facilitate learning through play
Respect children’s uniqueness and recognize and celebrate their individual differences
Create a trusting, predictable environment
Development of an environment that says “YES” to exploring, experimenting, discovering, having fun with friends and being a child!
Emphasis on the “process” (which is the immersion in the “doing”) rather than the “product”
Use of positive language
Model empathy and compassion
Encourage children to take risk
Help children make a balance of choices
Keep a sense of humor and create laughter
Provide a “child-centered program” which evolves from the interests of the children as well as successfully planned and implemented units
Cultivate curriculum which is continually developed and revised to insure a variety of developmentally appropriate experiences for children.