|
|
x|
Our Philosophy | Child Care of the
2000's | Preschool Education
| |
|
 Our Philosophy
We
at Circle "C" Ranch Academy are delighted to have the opportunity to teach and
love young children. Our goals are to provide each child with a quality education,
to nurture each child's individual gifts and abilities, to teach them social skills and
responsibilities, and to instill in each a sense of love, dignity, and understanding.
We provide stimulating ideas and opportunities to develop the thinking process and to make
learning interesting and fun. We try to stay informed of new and better ways to
communicate what young children need to know before entering school, and to present new
information in ways that will relate to each child's individual abilities and interests.
We strive to nurture each child's emotional and physical well-being and to make sure that
they know that the teachers here love them and care for them. We believe in lots of
hugs and positive reinforcement. We also try to instill in them the desire to care
about each other, to share, to be kind, and to respect each other's ideas and
feelings. We love them, and attempt to teach them by example and conversation how to
love and respect each other.
|
Top |
Home | |
|
|
|
|
|
 Child
Care of the 2000's
Preparing your child for the world ahead will require much more planning
than your parents had to consider. We all agree that children need to be allowed to
remain in a world of fantasy and frolic for as long as possible, however, this period of
time is sadly being shortened by the demands of a world where technology is expanding at a
rapid pace.
Even now, primary levels of employment often require computer skills that would seem
impossible just one generation ago. To be successful in the world ahead, our
children will need to be prepared to learn much more...much quicker.
Learning through active play is a vital aspect of a child's life as well. Children
learn and develop emotionally and socially as they play and interact with their peers in a
non-stressful environment. A good preschool recognizes and meets the needs of the
whole child in this area, as well as the educational side.
A good academic curriculum balanced with social activities and strong emotional support is
essential for today's growing child, and choosing the right preschool can make all the
difference.
At Circle "C" Ranch Academy, we have a High Scope and Alpha Time preschool
curriculum, and a solid academic foundation. Our children also have the advantage of
five acres of shaded play area to run and play. There are horses to ride, a few farm
animals to love and care for, and trees to climb. Our staff is expected to give that
one-on-one attention that children need to feel comfortable when they are away from home.
Circle "C" Ranch Academy is intended to eliminate barriers and discrimination as
well as providing equal access to opportunities for toddlers, preschoolers and
after-schoolers living in the very high density population of Hillsborough County.
By bringing the "Country in the City to Tampa's Kids" we provide positive
experiences and incorporate developmentally appropriate practices to support the
cognitive, social, and emotional development of young children. The beneficial
effects of intervention on development can be seen early on in the child's learning
process.
|
Top |
Home | |
|
|
|
| |
 Pre-School Education
Progressive or Repressive?
In recent years,
the trend in pre-school education has been to teach as much as possible as early as
possible. It is rewarding for a parent to have a pre-schooler who knows all the U.S.
Presidents or is reading First Reader books, or is adding and subtracting. What
effect is this early academic pressure having on the children?
Studies are accumulating which indicate that while children who are in a forced academic
pre-school excel in the early years of elementary school, the benefits are short-lived and
often dissolve into difficulty after the second or third grade. School teachers and
guidance counselors are reporting that children who had attended a strong academic
pre-school are beginning to lag behind after the first few grades, and emotional effects
of their earlier education begin to surface. These children, nationally are
beginning to show a marked decrease in the pleasure of learning, and develop an apathy
toward school or even a dislike for academics. The same children who were leaders
in the classroom a few years ago become detractors as their feelings of boredom or
rebellion come to the forefront. Although these same children seemed to enjoy their
pre-schools at the time, long-term effects are being seen as detrimental to the child's
overall well-being.
 |
While no one denies the need for a good educational foundation, experts agree that play is
a vital aspect of a child's life. Children learn and develop emotionally and
socially as they play and interact with their peers in a non-stressful environment.
The best pre-schools are those which recognize and try to meet the needs of a whole child
and not just the academic segment. These schools provide a good academic curriculum,
then balance that with activities and an environment which are designed to encourage
social interaction and provide emotional support.
 |
One such pre-school in our area is Circle "C" Ranch. We have a World Book
Encyclopedia pre-school curriculum and Alpha Time, and the academic foundation provided is
solid. At Circle "C" Ranch the children have an advantage over most other
pre-schools in our area in that there is a tree-shaded five acres where the children are
free to run and play and be children as children were meant to be. There are horses
to ride, a few farm animals to love and care for, as well as trees and play equipment to
climb. The staff appreciates the needs of the whole child and incorporates play in
much of their teaching, providing the best of both worlds.
Whichever pre-school parents choose for their children, it is important to bear in mind
the whole child. As parents of pre-schoolers evaluate their present or prospective
pre-school, it is important to see that their child's needs are being met emotionally,
physically, and socially, as well as academically.
|
Top |
Home
| |
|
