As Executive Director of First Environments, it is my hope and intention that all parents are able to communicate with me at any time to get answers to questions or address concerns. Indeed, as a mother of three boys I too have experienced times during those in seventeen years when I wish I could resolve issues outside the school day. We all worry and I want to make sure that you have the ability to get quick access to me when you need it.
My first choice of communication for daytime concerns is through e-mail (Lake.Beth@epamail.epa.gov), but if it is after hours or at a time when I am on vacation please do not hesitate to use my cell phone number 919-235-2673.
The First Environments Learning Center provides children with a caring, safe and secure environment that utilizes a child centered curriculum. This curriculum is based on the emotional, physical, social and cognitive needs of the individual child. The developmental needs of the child are used to determine appropriate activities carried out with that child. Because children grow and develop at different rates, this approach offers them the opportunity to explore each area of development at their own pace.
Center staff members create an atmosphere of support and affection as well as providing the materials, equipment and experience required to optimize the experiences of each child. They also serve as examples to the children, since children learn as much by observing others as they do by direct instruction. The teaching staff members act as facilitators rather than directors of activities.
The environment is carefully planned based on an assessment of each child's skills. Planning is most obvious by the presence of "interest centers" in every classroom. These centers include art, dramatic play, manipulative or small motor skills, gross motor play or blocks, sand, water, books, listening, etc. Teachers make available a wide variety of activities in each "interest center." Children are encouraged to explore all interest centers. Teachers provide an external structure for the day and provide the children time to work in the centers. Their exploration of the environment is usually self-initiated. Because of the variety of materials, children can learn several different skills in each center. Creativity is enhanced by the open-endedness of the learning materials. A sense of responsibility and powerfulness is also promoted by allowing children to choose their own activities.
Some of the attendant beliefs of a developmentally appropriate, child-centered curriculum are:
Philosophy and Goals
It is the goal of FEELC to send well-rounded, confident children off to kindergarten. Beyond meeting the requirements for area schools, both public and private, we strongly believe that your child's education should include many opportunities to picture and experience the greater world around them.
FEELC is fully committed to preparing every child for kindergarten, and has the qualified staff on hand to undertake this task. Research strongly indicates that children between the ages of three and five learn best through play. We are also mindful that every child grows, learns, and develops at their own pace, and FEELC encourages and enhances success for the individual child through planned learning centers as well as activities each day.
We strongly believe that the FEELC preschool experience can and will help your child to flourish and grow. However, parent participation is equally an important role in your child's progress, development, and learning
Below are some helpful web resources that will help you understand the philosophy, goals, and teaching strategies of the FEELC preschool:
First Environments’ Goals for Kindergarten Readiness
It is First Environments´ intention to prepare every child for kindergarten to the best of our abilities. Keeping in mind that each child grows, learns, and develops at his/her own pace, First Environments encourages and enhances success for each individual child through planned learning centers as well as activities and projects each day. The list below contains goals, organized by developmental area, which each child should have mastered, or be well on the way to mastering, upon entering kindergarten.
Self-Help Skills Development
Social and Emotional Development
Language Development
Physical Development
Cognitive Development and General Knowledge
Kids Health Organization
A wonderful Web site devoted to the health of children and teens, with trainloads of accurate, up-to-date information about growth, food & fitness, childhood infections, immunizations, lab tests, medical and surgical conditions, and the latest treatments. Also health games, how The Body Works animations, the KidsVote health poll, and tons of surprises!
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
