Little Forest Playschool, Inc.
Cause Area
- Children & Youth
- Community
- Education & Literacy
Location
3880 Villa StreetLos Alamos, NM 87544 United StatesOrganization Information
Mission Statement
MISSION
The primary purpose of Playschool is to provide an opportunity for preschool children and their parents to participate in a school situation that can both supplement and complement learning at home. It has been established as a Parent Cooperative school so that parents can observe and participate in the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of their children. Parents are encouraged to share their talents with the school.
Playschool is cooperative in these respects:
1. Mothers and fathers assist the teachers during class sessions in some classes.
2. Families contribute by assisting with equipment repair, making equipment, providing transportation, and other essential tasks.
3. Parents contribute by serving as members of the Playschool Corporation, the Nominations and Elections Committee, the Playschool Operations Committee and the Board of Directors.
4. Parents volunteer at fundraising events and school clean-ups.
Description
Playschool is a developmentally oriented preschool. Our goal is to provide activities and experiences that meet the needs of individual children with a variation in ages, abilities, and behaviors. We believe that play is the primary and most meaningful medium of learning for preschool children. It is open-ended, self-directed, and flexible. Play encourages children to think symbolically, and to generate solutions. Through play, children come to terms with the realities of life.
We encourage the development of self-esteem, independence, curiosity, creativity, and competency through meaningful and enjoyable hands-on activities, and through positive interactions with peers and adults. We emphasize learning by doing and we believe that the process is more important than the product.
Teachers plan curriculum and organize the learning environment based on children's interests and on their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Play areas offer a variety of choices such as dramatic play, block building and constructions, art, science, writing and drawing, books and literature, and manipulatives. Staff rotates the materials to provide variety and to supplement curriculum throughout the year. Teachers plan a balance between child/teacher initiated activities. The curriculum provides children with opportunities to explore, make choices, follow their interests, and make discoveries.