The Island
Children's School, Inc. provides quality early childhood education,
supports families, and connects our small community to the larger
community with information and resources to make a positive impact on
the lives of children and their families.
Philosophy
Statement
We believe that
early learning encompasses a child’s whole being, social-emotional,
cognitive, and physical. Our primary goal is the development and support
of friendly and meaningful relationships between children, staff, and
families. Within this supportive community our curriculum allows for
ample free and imaginative play. In carefully planned environments,
richly constructed activities and experiences promote both positive
social and academic skills.
About Us
Island Children
School runs 2 mixed age classrooms of 15 and 18 for children from 2.9
years to 5 years of age. We operate both school year and summer programs
for up to 35 children and families. We have 2 qualified teachers in each
classroom. Our teachers participate annually in numerous trainings and
workshops, always improving their professional skills. A third assistant
teacher assigned to the groups offers additional staffing depending on
need.
We are licensed by
the Dept of Early Care and Education and accredited by the National
Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a voluntary marker of quality.
Special Features
1)
ICS places a
special emphasis on social skills and language development. We actively
work on our social relationships, building community, and understanding
the diversity in our classrooms and in our world.
2)
Creative experiences are important in our current planning and
programming. The Art area is the center of the process for daily art
projects along with easel painting and well stocked open art shelves for
self expression.
3)
Special guests bring drumming, yoga, creative movement and music, and
nature into our classrooms.
4)
Island Children's School emphasizes our relationship with the natural
world around us, particularly ecology. We compost, recycle, and garden
with the children.
5)
Finally, Island Children's School stresses a non-commercial curriculum.
We discourage any clothes, toys, or materials that advertise commercial
images. We have found, and research supports, that child's play and
pretending are hindered by exposure to prevalent media images. We
actively seek out more traditional themes and ideas from the children
that we can transform into curriculum.
