Children learn through play!
TGPS's educational approach is grounded in the beliefs and research of the “Constructivist Theories” (Dewey, Piaget, and Vygotsky) where learning is viewed as a complex process of individual and social experiences, and where children construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through a multitude of experiences and reflection on those experiences.
Classroom practice is child-centered and developmentally appropriate. Children are viewed as competent individuals and active learners. Teachers are facilitators and co-learners, who present children with meaningful learning experiences based on children’s interests, gearing them towards creativity, self-expression, exploration, discovery, and investigation. The classroom environment is designed with furniture, materials, and resources to facilitate and support this process of child-centered, active and engaged learning.
Early Childhood Curriculum
Building on our educational philosophy, The Growing Place uses the HighScope curriculum, a research-based and innovative approach to learning and development young children.
HighScope's educational approach emphasizes “active participatory learning.” Active learning means students have direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events, and ideas. Children’s interests and choices are at the heart of HighScope programs. They construct their own knowledge through interactions with the world and the people around them. Children take the first step in the learning process by making choices and following through on their plans and decisions. Teachers, caregivers, and parents offer physical, emotional, and intellectual support. In active learning settings, adults expand children’s thinking with diverse materials and nurturing interactions.
To learn more about the HighScope curriculum, visit their website at www.highscope.org.
Social + Emotional Learning
A happy child learns best!
Before children can engage in academic or cognitive development, they must learn to manage their feelings. Conscious Discipline guides children to recognize their emotions and develop strategies to work through them.
Our team is highly trained in Conscious Discipline. It is the foundation of classroom safety, connection and problem-solving. This approach to SEL empowers adults and children to be the change they want to see in the world.
The Toddler Program, for one- and two-year-olds, is rooted in the belief that young children learn and grow in their development through purposeful play and meaningful classroom experiences, rich in creative expression and exploration. With a strong focus on predictable and consistent classroom routines, warm, loving and nurturing relationships with trusted caregivers, self-help skills, and supporting development in language, physical, cognitive and social/emotional domains, your toddler will acquire the skills to become a confident and inquisitive learner.
The Preschool Program, for three- and four-year-olds, is geared towards active classroom participation, hands-on learning, and the belief that preschoolers are driven by a need to discover and investigate as they learn about the world around them. The curriculum supports the development of the whole child—with a strong focus on developing readiness skills in early writing, reading, math, social studies, science, and the arts—learning becomes meaningful and fun, and motivates and supports interdependence and self-reliance in your preschool child.
14 preschool classrooms
Teacher to student ratios
1:4 (1 year olds)
1:6 (2 year olds)
1:8 (3 year olds)
1:9 (4 -5 year olds)
5 days/week school program
Toddler Program: 9:00am-12:00pm*
Preschool Program: 9:00am-1:30pm*
*Early Morning Care and Extended Day available 7:30am-5:30pm