Learning Tree Preschool follows a structured curriculum with a focus on socialization. The daily activities are geared toward the developmental level of each child. The preschool also organizes frequent visits to exciting places.
Children use their imagination and creativity in art projects and dramatic play. They also practice counting, sorting, and classifying objects.
Structured Learning
The structured learning classroom is a teaching method that offers consistency in the development of communication skills, social skills, and academic tasks. This learning environment uses audiological, visual, and kinesthetic supports and strategies. The goal is to promote positive behaviors and to help students function at grade level.
Structured learning involves instructing students through strict guided practice, then moving freely into collaborative learning, and finally into independent learning. This helps students learn faster and allows them to focus on their own learning needs. It also allows students to adapt to different situations more easily. Although structured learning is criticized, it is still an effective teaching method.
In a structured learning classroom, instructors use clear guidelines for students and provide them with a variety of educational resources. They teach students how to recognize problems, break them down into smaller increments, and find solutions. They also emphasize critical thinking skills and encourage students to question the status quo.
Learning Tree Preschool is a non-profit, integrated auxiliary of the United Methodist Church of Red Bank and is licensed by the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services. It is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, or disability in admissions, educational programs, or employment.
Three year old children at Learning Tree Preschool get the chance to work on early academic skills in a warm and nurturing environment. Their curriculum is based on the Letter of the Week, where they are introduced to a letter each week using the Fundations program. This program prepares them for kindergarten and their future academic adventures.
Our teachers work closely with each child to develop their strengths and areas of improvement. They are trained in child-centered, hands-on instruction that fosters the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of their students. This includes the implementation of the NAEYC Early Childhood Curriculum Standards, which ensures that each student will graduate from preschool ready for the next step in their education.
Nurturing Environment
Children who attend our school learn in a warm and nurturing environment. Their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being is a primary concern of our experienced staff members, who strive to ensure that each child feels safe and loved. The structure of our day includes a routine that provides consistency for children. They know their daily schedule, which includes arrival, potty and diapering, hand washing and snacks, outdoor classroom time, lunch and nap prep, and end-of-the-day dismissal. Each child receives a personalized education plan based on their specific needs and learning style. Teachers provide a variety of educational activities and learning centers to challenge their cognitive, social, emotional, and motor skills.
The classrooms at Learning Tree Preschool are filled with creative and engaging activities that stimulate children’s inquiring minds. Whether the children are learning to do a yoga pose or trying out a new recipe during “Science Friday,” the teachers make each activity fun and exciting for the kids. They are passionate about teaching, and it shows in their interactions with the children.
Little Saplings (2 years- 3 years old) are curious and energetic with a tendency to be “into everything.” They have highs and lows, and they can be exhausting for parents and teachers. But they are also loving and caring toward their family, friends, and teachers. They are in a unique developmental stage, and we help to build their independence by teaching them self-discipline, self-esteem, proper manners, and empathy for others.
Our teachers love and respect each child for who they are. They are dedicated to their students and the mission of Learning Tree Preschool. They strive to provide a warm, caring, and stimulating environment for the whole child so that each child will grow in wisdom and stature. They work closely with the parents to promote positive growth and development in the children.
The Learning Tree Preschool is a non-profit integrated auxiliary of the United Methodist Church of Red Bank and an Early Childhood Learning Center licensed by the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services, Bureau of Licensing. We offer NURSERY, FULL DAY UNIVERSAL PRE-K, PRESCHOOL, AFTER SCHOOL, and SUMMER CAMP programs.
Social-Emotional Development
At Learning Tree Preschool, children are nurtured as whole individuals. We have a deep understanding of how children develop socially and emotionally and are dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for each child in our care. Our teachers and assistants work closely together to make sure that each child is challenged appropriately according to their developmental needs. We also believe that the key to social and emotional development is a healthy relationship with self. Therefore, our daily activities are designed to foster each child’s connection to self, family, community, and the natural world.
Children learn to express their feelings through words, understand the needs of others, and use problem-solving skills to resolve conflicts. We help children build confidence in their abilities, take pride in their accomplishments, and develop a positive self-image.
We introduce children to the concept of community and respecting differences in people through our weekly visits to the local farmer’s market, the library, and the recycling center. Our classrooms are staffed with caring and experienced teachers who are trained in childhood education, first aid, and CPR.
Our curriculum is based on the principles of Vygotsky, who encouraged teachers to offer assistance in ways that do not interrupt the child’s flow of thought and allow them to experience success through “scaffolding.” This approach helps children bridge the gap between what they can do independently and what they can do with assistance from more competent peers.
In addition, children explore a variety of arts and crafts activities in which they can be creative and messy and take pride in their final results. They also participate in yoga and music classes to stretch their bodies, sharpen fine motor skills, and practice self-regulation techniques. Bi-monthly themes are introduced, and a wide array of open-ended and Montessori-inspired educational toys and activities are available to children throughout the day.
School-age children want to feel “grown-up,” and many are interested in sports, art, drama, and other recreational activities. At The Learning Tree, we encourage each child to challenge themselves intellectually and physically while ensuring they are always in a safe and caring environment.
Physical Development
We provide a safe environment with a well-qualified and creative staff that supports the children’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Children are given the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities, such as art, music, and movement. Our teachers encourage the growth of the whole child by helping them develop qualities such as self-worth, confidence, motivation, empathy, and consideration for others.
Our preschool curriculum is centered around the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards to promote Kindergarten Readiness. It incorporates the Jolly Phonics literacy program and the Fundations reading curriculum. It also includes daily acceptable motor skill practice such as pencil grip and scissor skills. In addition, it provides a balance of active and quiet play, individual and group activities, as well as indoor and outdoor experiences.
The three-year-old program builds upon the foundation of the letter-of-the-week curriculum learned in our preschool and introduces additional pre-academic skills. It helps your child develop the ability to concentrate and persevere in tasks, as well as improves fine and gross motor skills. The four-year-old program strengthens the learning and development skills introduced in our preschool and teaches Kindergarten readiness skills such as letter, number, shape, and color recognition.
The Learning Tree Preschool offers NURSERY, FULL DAY UNIVERSAL PRE-K, FULL DAY 3K, and AFTER-SCHOOL care for two and toilet trained to 6 years of age. We are licensed to serve a maximum of 60 children. Each child is provided a morning and afternoon snack and is required to bring a healthy lunch from home daily. Each child must have a labeled extra clothing box and a cubby to store their belongings. They will also need a standard-sized fitted crib sheet and blanket for nap time, as well as an insulated water bottle, a sun hat, and sunglasses for outdoor classroom times.
